Ford ExpeditionTrue expeditions require additional transportation conveyances: horses, boats, cars, for example. With a towing capacity around 9,000 pounds, the Ford Expedition can tow any of these. Ford adds a new top end King Ranch model for 2008, as well as an available rear backup camera and power-retractable running boards. The Expedition is meant for utility, not posing.
Am still looking for a pre-owned Expedition and had a few questions. Some people say not to change/flush tranny fluid if it appears it was never done as now the transmission has gotten used to the fluid. The new fluid may cause more problems. This actually came from a person at a tire center who's first 3 letters are Mer######. I thought this sounded odd and felt it was more of a liabilty thing as they said they would not change it if the truck had a lot of miles on it. Is it recommended to change it regardless of age or prior changes?
SEcond, if I changed the diffs and transfer case does a 2000 Exped, 5.4L take regular or synthetic. I would also do the coolant just to have all fresh fluids. Any suggestions if this is wise or foolish. I am looking at one that has had 2 owners but the second owner has only driven it about 12k miles in 2 years and he is not sure what was done prior. Has 174k on the clock. He did put in an alternator and replaced the plugs, oil changes, filters etc. thks
There's a lot of disagreement on the issue of whether to change the fluid on a high mileage trans. It's not an issue of whether the trans has gotten "used" to the old fluid. It's that the old fluid has broken down and the additives have been exhausted. Because of less heat transfer and less lubricating ability, metal parts wear faster and create excessive clearances. When metal parts touch, they create heat. When hot metal parts meet oil, the oil scorches--just like butter in a frying pan. The end result is that you get "varnish" buildup in those excessive clearances.
The rubber seals also depend on the additives in trans fluid to keep them soft. When the additives are gone, the rubber stiffens and cracks. The crud in the trans fluid fills the cracks and that's what keeps the trans running.
So now you come along and change the fluid. People think that if Roto-Rooter is good for their sewer, then changing bad fluid might do the same thing for their transmission. The problem is that the new fluid is packed with fresh additives. Those additives soften the rubber seals and dissolve the varnish buildup. All of the sudden, the cracks that were plugged are now open and leaking pressure. And the varnish that was filling the void in excessive clearances is now gone. The transmission that was working ok before, now starts acting up. You think you did a good thing, but what you actually did was expose the abuse that the transmission has suffered all along.
This is no different than the issue of whether an engine flush is a good idea. Same principle.
My position is: If the transmission has been neglected but it's running ok, DON'T change fluid UNLESS you're in a position to fork out $2,000 to replace it.
On engine flushes my position is: If you've changed your oil regularly, an engine flush is a complete waste of money. If you've neglected your engine, no amount of flushing will replace the worn metal. A flush cannot bring it back from the dead, but it can cause an early death.
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I'm a retired ASE Master/L-1 Technician. I still keep current with the latest automotive technology. My blog now has over 400 in-depth repair articles, TSB's and wiring diagrams: Rick's Cool Website for DIY Auto Repair Advice
I would buy a can of Seafoam brand trans conditioner. Read the back of the can & add some to your transmission. Drive it around, shifting through each gear, then drain the pan only! I'd inspect the filter then & replace it if she looks bad. Add the remaining can of Seafoam treatment to the transmission & top off with new trans fluid. Redrive the SUV & then recheck the fluid level one more time.
Report back to us.
__________________ The 1960 Thunderbird. Unique in ALL the world.
Great advice guys. I checked the fluid yesterday when i looked at the truck. It was still nice and red so it has been changed since mile 1. I think all is good and I will leave the fluid alone in the trans. Do the same principles apply to the differentials and transfer case? I would change these but don't want to cause leaks or a quick death of these components. tks
Great advice guys. I checked the fluid yesterday when i looked at the truck. It was still nice and red so it has been changed since mile 1. I think all is good and I will leave the fluid alone in the trans. Do the same principles apply to the differentials and transfer case? I would change these but don't want to cause leaks or a quick death of these components. tks
I would replace the fluids in the t/case & diff's with whatever the owners manual states. Usually there is a metal tag on one of the diff cover bolts that tells you which weight gear oil to use.
__________________ The 1960 Thunderbird. Unique in ALL the world.
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2000 Expedition Fluids 
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