help: paid for tranny fluid change that never happened

[1 FMF]

1993 F250, auto transmission.
Think service center didn't perform transmission fluid and filter change. Looks like pan never came off the truck. Truck has a shudder in overdrive on highway. My mechanic said it's caused by old fluid, and fresh fluid will cure it. Truck has 160k miles, and it's probably the original fluid.
Gonna have guy I trust re-service the transmission later this week. I will then see if the pan ever came off, if the filter is new, and if the pan gasket is new.

I need proof that the service center didn't do the work, and I have very good reason they didn't to begin with. What else can I look for?

how about a UOA on transmission fluid? Can Blackstone tell if it's fresh fluid or not? I just drove 400 miles today with the truck (400 miles since alleged service) and problem is still there and shouldn't be.

 

[Kestas]

Remember that at most half the fluid was changed. New fluid mixed with old. You'll have to look for other clues like a magnet that looks like a chia pet, dirty filter, or a gasket that has taken a set.

 

[JTK]

Could they have just done a pump out and refill though the ATF dipstick tube? Some shops consider that an AT 'service'. My local isuzu dealer drains and refills the AT pan (has drain/fill plugs) and calls that an AT serivice! 3-4qts of ATF for $50!

G/luck
Joel

 

[1 FMF]

no, a machine was used to pump the fluid thru to flush it out. There should be no old fluid left.

My receipt shows:
1 gal pennzoil dexron III, qty 4
purolator transmission filter
10OZ black hfm fluid
32oz clear atf flush
trns fld ex w/modifier&flt lbr
this service includes the following if applicable to your vehicle:
use exchange machine to exchange fluid
remove and clean pan
install new filter (where applicable)
replace pan gasket and add fluid to mark

 

[ARB1977]

quote:

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Originally posted by 1 FMF:
1993 F250, auto transmission.
Think service center didn't perform transmission fluid and filter change. Looks like pan never came off the truck. Truck has a shudder in overdrive on highway. My mechanic said it's caused by old fluid, and fresh fluid will cure it. Truck has 160k miles, and it's probably the original fluid.
Gonna have guy I trust re-service the transmission later this week. I will then see if the pan ever came off, if the filter is new, and if the pan gasket is new.

I need proof that the service center didn't do the work, and I have very good reason they didn't to begin with. What else can I look for?

how about a UOA on transmission fluid? Can Blackstone tell if it's fresh fluid or not? I just drove 400 miles today with the truck (400 miles since alleged service) and problem is still there and shouldn't be.

---

Have you looked at the dipstick in the past? If its got that many miles then it should dark, if its clear or redish color then yes they did change it.

 

[wander2039]

Hate to change the subject.. but it seems like I've read posts on other forums relating to that shudder. If i recall correctly something electronic needs to be changed in the transmission. You might go to ford-trucks.com and post over there if new transmission fluid doesn't fix it.

 

[Big Jim]

quote:

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Originally posted by 1 FMF:
no, a machine was used to pump the fluid thru to flush it out. There should be no old fluid left.

My receipt shows:
1 gal pennzoil dexron III, qty 4
purolator transmission filter
10OZ black hfm fluid
32oz clear atf flush
trns fld ex w/modifier&flt lbr
this service includes the following if applicable to your vehicle:
use exchange machine to exchange fluid
remove and clean pan
install new filter (where applicable)
replace pan gasket and add fluid to mark

---

How does the fluid look? The pan usually is not removed when the trans is flushed with a machine.

 

[1 FMF]

it's red. and it seems to read over the full mark on the dipstick. I didn't check it before I dropped it off unfortunately.

 

[Dick in Falls Church]

Most likely the shop did the flush.

Were it mine, I'd change the fluid to AMSOIL ATF and see if it solves the problem. Has been known to do so.

 

[merlin64]

if the pan didn't come off, they could not have installed the new filter, even if they did a flush of the old fluid via the cooling lines.

I would take close-up pictures of the pan, gasket, and the filter once the pan is removed by your new mechanic (or you, it's not hard). If the filter is old you have your proof. I would bring the old filter to them and demand a refund.

 

[Winston]

Your reciept says the pan is removed and the filter changed "if applicable to your vehicle" it does not say that they actually did it. On my truck the pan is never removed since there is a crossmember which makes it difficult to remove. Maybe your truck only requires a fluid exchange? My transmission does not really have a "filter" It just has a screen.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

Pretty sure F250s have a trans filter. You can check with exact engine/trans type on Wixfilters.com and confirm. I used 5.8L engine as an example and got filter requirements for E40D and AOT trans. Don't know if either is your exact power train combination, but suspect I am close. Depending on your mileage, it should be clear if a new filter was changed out, if you do a second pan drop.

 

[unDummy]

Don't be surprised if there was a ton of varnish in the transmission that is now floating in your new ATF. 160k miles is a lot for original fluid and alot for any transmission too.
Which powertrain do you have?
What ATF requirements?

Another filter change and flush is needed using the correct fluid. Buy your own fluid/filter and have it changed by someone reputable.

 

[Ken2]

quote:

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10OZ black hfm fluid

---

Wrong product for your transmission. You really don't need a fluid supplement, but if you did, the Lubegard red is correct, not the highly friction modified black.

Your transmission takes Mercon fluid, right? If so, then just a Dexron-III/Mercon ATF is correct.


Ken

 

[theguru]

The receipt says "purolator transmission filter", so where did this go? He paid for it even though the disclaimer at the bottom says "install new filter if applicable"

 

[Tundraholic]

Hey, 1 FMF, I had a 1990 F150 and the 1st time I changed the filter I found a plastic plug in the pan. I could not figure where it came from.

I went to the Ford house and they told me its a plug that is inplace of the dip stick tube when the new transmissions are built. Then when the truck is built and dip stick installed they push the plastic plug into the pan. Keeps crap out!!
The plastic plug is discarded @ 1st oil change.

Any way you might drop the pan and look for a plastic plug. Or try to find out if they have the plastic plug on the 1993 F250's

RT