Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? - Focaljet

**bluee** · 08-21-2001, 03:04 PM

I've never changed the transmission fluid myself? Tips anyone? Thanks in advance.

**Marction** · 08-21-2001, 04:52 PM

Are you putting in a better synthetic (Amsoil, Redline, etc)? Rather than just draining and changing, you may want to get the old stuff flushed out. Costs a few bucks (ok, quite a few) though, but worth it if your changing brands, otherwise you'll have LOTS more of the old stuff in there than the new stuff.

------------------
2001 Twilight Blue ZTS <UL TYPE=SQUARE> <LI> KW Sport Kit, MBRP cat-back exhaust, FocusSport street header, FocusSport UDP, ZX3tuning shorty antenna, Euro Focus locking fuel door.[/list]

**weinstro** · 08-21-2001, 04:58 PM

This is one of the easier jobs, albeit usually messy. These are generic instructions that will work on any car. Oh yeah, gear oil has an odd smell that many folks can't stand.

Before starting, make sure that you have enough new gear oil and new packing seals that go around the drain plug. These will be made of copper or aluminum. Use gear oil that meets or exceeds Ford's recommendations. Synthetics are nice, BTW.

On most transaxles, there are separate plugs for draining and filling oil. Make sure you loosen/remove the plug for oil filling, FIRST. If you've drained the oil, and then discover that you can't remove the fill plug, you have a problem.

Position a catch pan, remove drain plug. It will likely splash and gurgle a bit. Helps if the oil is relatively warm before beginning.

Wipe off drain plug, place new packing ring on it, and reinstall.

You will likely not be able to simply pour new gear oil into the transaxle. At any autoparts store, you can buy a plastic gear oil pump for about $5. Get one of these. Note that you may need to trim the plastic gear oil bottle a bit to get the pump to fit. Stick the pump in the bottle, and the hose in the fill hole on the transmission, and pump away. You normally fill the transmission until the oil is at the level of the fill hole. If yours has a dipstick pay attention to how much you've pumped in, and start checking the level when you think you are close. At any rate, stop when oil starts to come back out of the drain hole. Let the excess run out, install fill plug, clean up whatever mess you have, and you're done. Exercise some caution -- it's very easy to make a big mess by accidentally kicking over an oil bottle.

Regards,

Rob

MC · 08-21-2001, 06:14 PM

It's as easy as changing the oil except for the part where you add the new fluid. Get a funnel with a long thin hose attached and you'll be fine.

DO NOT buy GEAR OIL. The MTX75 uses ATF, not gear oil.

I used Mobil 1 ATF. It seems to be a little smoother.

**silver_bullet** · 08-21-2001, 07:00 PM

Do you have an automatic or manual transmission? First things first...

**bluee** · 08-21-2001, 08:10 PM

I have a 5 speed.

**lt7d101** · 08-21-2001, 08:41 PM

Bluee, you'll need a long handled allen wrench. I can't remember which size now, its metric. If you do a search theres a complete how to here somewhere. The drain plug is on the bottom of the tyranny, tucked inbetween two heat sinks. The fill plug is on the front. The tranny uses 2.1 qts of ATF. Get the cheapy pump, its worth it. Do not overfill the tranny! Mobil Synthetic fluid is a good choice. I noticed a major difference in smoothness in cold weather.

**bluee** · 08-21-2001, 09:56 PM

Thanks for the info.

**ZX3er** · 08-21-2001, 10:12 PM

Red line would be even better for your 5-speed.

**silver_bullet** · 08-22-2001, 06:18 AM

I run Redline synthetic D4 ATF in my MTX-75 manual transaxle - slight gear rattle at low speeds did not diminish, but the 'box shifts very smoothly in all temps.

**eric** · 03-16-2002, 11:36 PM

i am planning on doing this next week as well as changing the oil again. i am curious as to where i should place the saddle of my floor jack.

also, the jack stand i have are crescent shaped on the top. where to i put these?

thanks

**eric** · 03-17-2002, 05:17 PM

**BLOWNSTANG** · 03-17-2002, 05:59 PM

Has anyone used RedLine MTL in their Focus? I used this in my Mustang with the stock 5spd(atf was oem)and never had a problem with the trans(But I did go through 2 posi's, 1 axle and finally twisted one of the rear housing tubes). I will call RedLine tomorrow to see what they say about it.

**Jimmy** · 03-17-2002, 06:05 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by eric:
i am planning on doing this next week as well as changing the oil again. i am curious as to where i should place the saddle of my floor jack.

also, the jack stand i have are crescent shaped on the top. where to i put these?

thanks<hr></blockquote>

That's how my jackstands are too. I just lift one side of the car, slide the jackstand under the frame behind the front wheel so the frame is in the center of the crescent, then repeat on the other side...it only takes an extra 3 minutes, and I dont have to worry about any sliding.

**rallyfan** · 06-14-2002, 07:14 PM

is the fill plug the little metal nipple thing on the front of the transmission? (if i am facing the windshield, the plug is on the right)

i need to change mine really soon.

**G1-Focus** · 06-14-2002, 07:57 PM

What about adding some of Ford's Friction Modifier to the 5-speed oil change? and when I originally dumped the gear-oil, it looked like gear-oil and not ATF, but now I have synthetic ATF in there?

**PA 3L SVT** · 06-14-2002, 10:27 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by G1-Focus:
What about adding some of Ford's Friction Modifier to the 5-speed oil change? and when I originally dumped the gear-oil, it looked like gear-oil and not ATF, but now I have synthetic ATF in there?<hr></blockquote>

Always use 2 oz of the Ford Additive Friction modifier, regardless of fluid used. Your synchros will thank you. Advice from a reputable source to me.

**wmudavey** · 06-16-2002, 08:02 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by PA 3L SVT:

Always use 2 oz of the Ford Additive Friction modifier, regardless of fluid used. Your synchros will thank you. Advice from a reputable source to me.<hr></blockquote>

I wish I had never done it. I did this back in January. It would have been beter to just add some more fluid than that crap!

**REDRUM** · 06-16-2002, 10:21 PM

MTX75s are finicky about what you put in them. I have found that the best combo is regular dino ATF with half a bottle of FFM. Ive found that the synthetics dont allow the syncros to spin the next gear up in time for the shift.

MIKE

**matthew** · 06-18-2002, 01:52 PM

i put in the B & M synthetic trick shift formula on my kona with an automatic. little expensive, but man what a difference in shifting. very much of an improvement. hope everything goes good!

[img]graemlins/thumbup.gif[/img]

**KonaZXIII** · 06-18-2002, 02:40 PM

Amsoil ATF.
Made a big difference on my MTX75.
Skip the hassle and shell out your hard earned money to watch someone else do it.
I did, but I'm lazy [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

**DemonSpeed** · 06-18-2002, 03:49 PM

I just bought Torco MTF synthetic tranny fluid for my 5-speed as that was recommended in the BAT Inc. catalog. I have not dumped it in yet. Should I have gotten the ATF? [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

**G1-Focus** · 06-19-2002, 12:05 AM

Why not use Valvoline 75W/90 full synthetic gear oil? It's watery enough like ATF and that's what the oil/fluid looked like when I dumped it the first time.

**KonaZXIII** · 06-19-2002, 07:27 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by DemonSpeed:
I just bought Torco MTF synthetic tranny fluid for my 5-speed as that was recommended in the BAT Inc. catalog. I have not dumped it in yet. Should I have gotten the ATF? [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] <hr></blockquote>

I don't know anything about Torco MTF,
but the Ford says to use ATF.

Are any Jetters using MTF?

08-21-2001, 03:04 PM	#1
bluee TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 422	Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? I've never changed the transmission fluid myself? Tips anyone? Thanks in advance.

08-21-2001, 04:52 PM	#2
Marction Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: (Mark) Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,384	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? Are you putting in a better synthetic (Amsoil, Redline, etc)? Rather than just draining and changing, you may want to get the old stuff flushed out. Costs a few bucks (ok, quite a few) though, but worth it if your changing brands, otherwise you'll have LOTS more of the old stuff in there than the new stuff. ------------------ 2001 Twilight Blue ZTS <UL TYPE=SQUARE> <LI> KW Sport Kit, MBRP cat-back exhaust, FocusSport street header, FocusSport UDP, ZX3tuning shorty antenna, Euro Focus locking fuel door.[/list]

08-21-2001, 04:58 PM	#3
weinstro Rookie Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 21	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? This is one of the easier jobs, albeit usually messy. These are generic instructions that will work on any car. Oh yeah, gear oil has an odd smell that many folks can't stand. Before starting, make sure that you have enough new gear oil and new packing seals that go around the drain plug. These will be made of copper or aluminum. Use gear oil that meets or exceeds Ford's recommendations. Synthetics are nice, BTW. On most transaxles, there are separate plugs for draining and filling oil. Make sure you loosen/remove the plug for oil filling, FIRST. If you've drained the oil, and then discover that you can't remove the fill plug, you have a problem. Position a catch pan, remove drain plug. It will likely splash and gurgle a bit. Helps if the oil is relatively warm before beginning. Wipe off drain plug, place new packing ring on it, and reinstall. You will likely not be able to simply pour new gear oil into the transaxle. At any autoparts store, you can buy a plastic gear oil pump for about $5. Get one of these. Note that you may need to trim the plastic gear oil bottle a bit to get the pump to fit. Stick the pump in the bottle, and the hose in the fill hole on the transmission, and pump away. You normally fill the transmission until the oil is at the level of the fill hole. If yours has a dipstick pay attention to how much you've pumped in, and start checking the level when you think you are close. At any rate, stop when oil starts to come back out of the drain hole. Let the excess run out, install fill plug, clean up whatever mess you have, and you're done. Exercise some caution -- it's very easy to make a big mess by accidentally kicking over an oil bottle. Regards, Rob

08-21-2001, 06:14 PM	#4
MC TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Oak Ridge, NC Posts: 546	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? It's as easy as changing the oil except for the part where you add the new fluid. Get a funnel with a long thin hose attached and you'll be fine. DO NOT buy GEAR OIL. The MTX75 uses ATF, not gear oil. I used Mobil 1 ATF. It seems to be a little smoother.

08-21-2001, 07:00 PM	#5
silver_bullet TEAM Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 192	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? Do you have an automatic or manual transmission? First things first...

08-21-2001, 08:10 PM	#6
bluee TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 422	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? I have a 5 speed.

08-21-2001, 08:41 PM	#7
lt7d101 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,544	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? Bluee, you'll need a long handled allen wrench. I can't remember which size now, its metric. If you do a search theres a complete how to here somewhere. The drain plug is on the bottom of the tyranny, tucked inbetween two heat sinks. The fill plug is on the front. The tranny uses 2.1 qts of ATF. Get the cheapy pump, its worth it. Do not overfill the tranny! Mobil Synthetic fluid is a good choice. I noticed a major difference in smoothness in cold weather.

08-21-2001, 09:56 PM	#8
bluee TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 422	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? Thanks for the info.

08-21-2001, 10:12 PM	#9
ZX3er Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: palm harbor,fl,usa Posts: 1,001	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? Red line would be even better for your 5-speed.

08-22-2001, 06:18 AM	#10
silver_bullet TEAM Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 192	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? I run Redline synthetic D4 ATF in my MTX-75 manual transaxle - slight gear rattle at low speeds did not diminish, but the 'box shifts very smoothly in all temps.

03-16-2002, 11:36 PM	#11
eric Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: farmington nh Posts: 2,519	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? i am planning on doing this next week as well as changing the oil again. i am curious as to where i should place the saddle of my floor jack. also, the jack stand i have are crescent shaped on the top. where to i put these? thanks

03-17-2002, 05:17 PM	#12
eric Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: farmington nh Posts: 2,519	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? ^

03-17-2002, 05:59 PM	#13
BLOWNSTANG Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Deville, Louisiana Posts: 3,036	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? Has anyone used RedLine MTL in their Focus? I used this in my Mustang with the stock 5spd(atf was oem)and never had a problem with the trans(But I did go through 2 posi's, 1 axle and finally twisted one of the rear housing tubes). I will call RedLine tomorrow to see what they say about it.

03-17-2002, 06:05 PM	#14
Jimmy [FJ] Addict Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 11,297	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by eric: i am planning on doing this next week as well as changing the oil again. i am curious as to where i should place the saddle of my floor jack. also, the jack stand i have are crescent shaped on the top. where to i put these? thanks<hr></blockquote> That's how my jackstands are too. I just lift one side of the car, slide the jackstand under the frame behind the front wheel so the frame is in the center of the crescent, then repeat on the other side...it only takes an extra 3 minutes, and I dont have to worry about any sliding.

06-14-2002, 07:14 PM	#15
rallyfan TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: strafford county, NH Posts: 143	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? is the fill plug the little metal nipple thing on the front of the transmission? (if i am facing the windshield, the plug is on the right) i need to change mine really soon.

06-14-2002, 07:57 PM	#16
G1-Focus Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Greenwich, CT Posts: 1,503	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? What about adding some of Ford's Friction Modifier to the 5-speed oil change? and when I originally dumped the gear-oil, it looked like gear-oil and not ATF, but now I have synthetic ATF in there?

06-14-2002, 10:27 PM	#17
PA 3L SVT TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conshohocken, PA Posts: 106	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by G1-Focus: What about adding some of Ford's Friction Modifier to the 5-speed oil change? and when I originally dumped the gear-oil, it looked like gear-oil and not ATF, but now I have synthetic ATF in there?<hr></blockquote> Always use 2 oz of the Ford Additive Friction modifier, regardless of fluid used. Your synchros will thank you. Advice from a reputable source to me.

06-16-2002, 08:02 AM	#18
wmudavey Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 3,267	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by PA 3L SVT: Always use 2 oz of the Ford Additive Friction modifier, regardless of fluid used. Your synchros will thank you. Advice from a reputable source to me.<hr></blockquote> I wish I had never done it. I did this back in January. It would have been beter to just add some more fluid than that crap!

06-16-2002, 10:21 PM	#19
REDRUM TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 512	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? MTX75s are finicky about what you put in them. I have found that the best combo is regular dino ATF with half a bottle of FFM. Ive found that the synthetics dont allow the syncros to spin the next gear up in time for the shift. MIKE

06-18-2002, 01:52 PM	#20
matthew TEAM Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: dallas texas Posts: 767	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? i put in the B & M synthetic trick shift formula on my kona with an automatic. little expensive, but man what a difference in shifting. very much of an improvement. hope everything goes good! [img]graemlins/thumbup.gif[/img]

06-18-2002, 02:40 PM	#21
KonaZXIII WHERE'S MY PAYCHECK?! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: America's Penis (aka Florida) Posts: 8,250	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? Amsoil ATF. Made a big difference on my MTX75. Skip the hassle and shell out your hard earned money to watch someone else do it. I did, but I'm lazy [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

06-18-2002, 03:49 PM	#22
DemonSpeed Rookie Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Grand Rapids,MI Posts: 23	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? I just bought Torco MTF synthetic tranny fluid for my 5-speed as that was recommended in the BAT Inc. catalog. I have not dumped it in yet. Should I have gotten the ATF? [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

06-19-2002, 12:05 AM	#23
G1-Focus Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Greenwich, CT Posts: 1,503	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? Why not use Valvoline 75W/90 full synthetic gear oil? It's watery enough like ATF and that's what the oil/fluid looked like when I dumped it the first time.

06-19-2002, 07:27 AM	#24
KonaZXIII WHERE'S MY PAYCHECK?! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: America's Penis (aka Florida) Posts: 8,250	Re: Transmission Fluid Change, DIY? <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by DemonSpeed: I just bought Torco MTF synthetic tranny fluid for my 5-speed as that was recommended in the BAT Inc. catalog. I have not dumped it in yet. Should I have gotten the ATF? [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] <hr></blockquote> I don't know anything about Torco MTF, but the Ford says to use ATF. Are any Jetters using MTF?

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