Fluid "drain and fill", how much fluid usually comes out?

jimmyducati · May 24, 2016, 04:33:28 PM

I did this once before but it was a while ago. Approximately how much fluid should I expect to come out if i drain the transmission and re-fill it? I know it won't be the entire capacity of the transmission because the T/C and valve body retain a lot of the fluid.

John Miller · May 24, 2016, 06:08:38 PM

I just researched this. I decided to go with the BG flush, so can't speak from experience, but the internet "knowledge" says between 5 and 6 quarts will come out with each drain. The system holds about 11.6 quarts total, per the owner's manual.

SHOdded · May 24, 2016, 06:10:44 PM

They say about 50% of the trans fluid capacity comes out in a single drain. So somewhere between 5 & 6 quarts each time.

MeanKS · May 25, 2016, 01:25:13 AM

does it trip anyone else out that Ford still recommends 100K mile service intervals for changing the transmission fluid in our 6sp autos???

i had my car in service and asked a tech about getting a BG transmission service. he said its pretty much a waste and that i only have to worry about a flush at 100,000 miles. B&G recommends every 30,000 miles, and their service is more than just a flush but an actual suction cleaning...

SHOdded · May 25, 2016, 05:02:28 AM

Marketing gimmick? I think the fluid COULD last the 100+ K if you drove all-highway miles and didn't step into it regularly

But would the trans last beyond that? Hard to say. But wait, you'll buy a new car anyway at that point, right?

jimmyducati · May 26, 2016, 10:20:53 AM

this has become a regular part of my oil change services.. (I just had a brain fart as to how much to replace this time). its to easy to drain the trans when you drain the oil. No denying it extends the life of the transmission. I trust BG (and any other "flush" service) about as far as I can throw them when it comes to their additives, service intervals and guarantees.

metroplex · March 27, 2017, 05:50:49 AM

I actually measured and marked a few gallon jugs for this. My drain came out to be 4 qt and about 575 mL. Or just over 4.5 qt, about 4.6 qt. However, when I started the car and went to check the dipstick, I didn't see anything. I'm also not going to idle it for an hour to get to 200F. The trans fluid temp takes over 30 min of driving to even get near 180F.

Anyone else see more than 4.5 qt come out of a drain?

mrhighcaliber · March 30, 2017, 09:28:49 PM

Quote from: metroplex on March 27, 2017, 05:50:49 AM
I actually measured and marked a few gallon jugs for this. My drain came out to be 4 qt and about 575 mL. Or just over 4.5 qt, about 4.6 qt. However, when I started the car and went to check the dipstick, I didn't see anything. I'm also not going to idle it for an hour to get to 200F. The trans fluid temp takes over 30 min of driving to even get near 180F.

Anyone else see more than 4.5 qt come out of a drain?

Trans was at operating temp. I got just under 6qts out. Jacked up the right side of the vehicle only, drained 5qts. Started the vehicle. Ran for 15secs. And got about another quart. Put 6qts back in and at 180ish degrees, the level was just above 3/4 of the cross hatch.

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metroplex · March 30, 2017, 09:37:28 PM

How did you measure it to be 5 qt initially? My trans was at operating temp when I drained it. The service manual says that if you remove the front trans cover. Only 4.5 qt needs to be replaced. If the entire trans is disassembled, it's 6.5 qt.

I used a large graduated cylinder and poured water into jugs to mark the capacities. There's no way I could get anywhere close to 6 qt.