Oil Cooler Flushing
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Ford Ranger, 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, and 2002 Ford Explorer Sport. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
CAUTION:
Whenever a transmission has been disassembled to install new parts, or because the valve body sticks from foreign material, the transmission fluid cooler must be cleaned using a suitable torque converter/fluid cooler cleaner. Under no circumstances should torque converters be cleaned by hand agitation with solvent. When internal wear or damage has occurred in the transmission, metal particles, clutch plate material, or band material may have been carried into the transmission cooler. These contaminants are a major cause of recurring transmission concerns and must be removed from the system before the transmission is put back into service.
- Conduct back flushing with a suitable torque converter/transmission fluid oil cooler cleaner. Test the equipment to make sure that a vigorous fluid flow is present before proceeding. Install a new system filter if flow is weak or contaminated.
- To aid in attaching the cleaner to the transmission steel oil cooler lines, connect 2 additional rubber hoses to the transmission end of the steel transmission oil cooler lines as described.
- Connect the cleaner tank pressure line to the steel transmission oil cooler return line (longest line). Connect a tank return hose to the steel transmission oil cooler pressure line (shorter line). Place the outlet end of this hose in the solvent tank reservoir.
- Turn on solvent pump and allow the solvent to circulate a minimum of 5 minutes (cycling switch on and off will help dislodge contaminants in oil cooler system).
- Switch off the solvent pump and disconnect the solvent pressure hose from the transmission oil cooler return line. Use compressed air to blow out the oil cooler(s) and oil cooler lines (blow air into the transmission cooler return line) until all solvent is removed. Remove the rubber return hose from the remaining steel oil cooler line.