Continuing with the preventative maintenance needed for this recently acquired truck, this video details what is involved in performing a complete driveway transmission fluid and filter change to include transfer case, torque converter drain, pan/filter removal, and oil cooler flushing.
The video documents the condition of various components as they are removed for the first time. Because of the 1994 date code on the filter, the condition of the fluid, and the amount of debris on the pan magnet, I believe the transmission fluid has never been changed in 17 years and 150,000 miles. Despite this, the transmission pan was exceptionally clean with only minimal sludge deposits and no debris. The pan magnet was covered with only a normal amount of ferrous material. I'm confident this E40D transmission is in exceptional condition and should easily last another 100,000 miles.
I've never been a fan of transmission flush procedures that involve a flush machine and strong chemicals or machines that just exchange fluid or transmission fluid additives geared to solve problems that are best solved by renewing the fluid/filter. It takes a bit of time and may make a mess, but a complete fluid/filter change including pan cleaning and valve body inspection is the best way to ensure long, trouble free operation. (9/22/2012)
