Fluid Pan: Service and Repair
Fluid Pan, Gasket and FilterSpecial Tool(s):
Material:
Removal
CAUTION: MERCON (R), MERCON (R) V, MERCON (R) SP, Motorcraft Premium Automatic Transmission Fluid and Motorcraft Continuously Variable Chain Type Transmission Fluid are not interchangeable transmission fluids. The use of any fluid other than what is recommended for this Transaxle will cause transaxle damage.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to clean or flush the oil-to-air (OTA) transmission fluid cooler. Contamination may remain in the cooler and eventually be returned to the transaxle, causing internal transaxle damage. If the transaxle is to be overhauled or if installing a new transaxle, install a new transmission fluid cooler.
NOTE: When carrying out a continuously variable transaxle (CVT) transmission fluid change interval, the removal of the fluid pan and filter is not required. When carrying out a CVT transmission fluid change interval, the installation of a new high-pressure case filter and seals are required.
Fluid pan and filter
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
2. Remove the fluid pan drain plug and allow the fluid to drain.
3. Remove the fluid pan bolts and the fluid pan.
4. Remove and discard the fluid pan gasket.
5. NOTE: Check the transaxle case to see if the filter pickup tube seal is stuck in the case. If the pickup tube seal is in the case it will need to be removed.
Remove and discard the transmission fluid filter.
High-pressure filter and case cover
NOTE: The axle shaft has been removed for clarity.
6. CAUTION: When disconnecting the transmission fluid cooler tubes, pull straight up to prevent damage to the transmission fluid cooler tubes.
Disconnect the transmission fluid cooler tubes from the pressure filter cover.
7. Remove and discard the 4 transmission fluid cooler tube seals.
8. Remove the pressure filter cover.
9. NOTE: The feed tube may stick in the cover.
Remove and discard the O-ring seal from the pressure filter cover.
10. NOTE: The high pressure filter cover feed tube may remain in the cover or the case when the cover is removed.
NOTE: Some transaxles may have a high pressure filter feed tube with bonded seal material covering the tube or O-ring seals on the tube. Either can be used for the high pressure filter feed tube.
Remove the high pressure filter cover feed tube.
^ If equipped with a feed tube with a bonded seal, remove and discard the feed tube.
^ If equipped with a feed tube that has O-ring seals, remove the tube and discard the O-ring seals.
11. Remove and discard the pressure filter.
Installation
High-pressure filter and case cover
1. Install a new pressure filter.
2. NOTE: Some transaxles may have a high pressure filter feed tube with bonded seal material covering the tube or O-ring seals on the tube. Either can be used for the high pressure filter feed tube.
Install the high pressure filter cover feed tube.
^ If equipped with a feed tube having a bonded seal covering the tube, lubricate a new feed tube containing bonded seal with clean CVT transmission fluid before installing.
^ If equipped with a feed tube and O-rings, install new O-rings on the feed tube and lubricate the O-rings with clean CVT transmission fluid before installing.
3. Lubricate the new O-ring seal in clean CVT transmission fluid and install it on the pressure filter cover.
4. Install the pressure filter cover.
^ Tighten to 10 Nm (89 inch lbs.).
5. Lubricate the 4 new O-ring seals in clean CVT transmission fluid and install them on the fluid cooler tube.
6. CAUTION: Make sure the transmission fluid cooler tubes are pushed in straight or the transmission fluid cooler tubes and/or O-ring seals will be damaged.
Connect the transmission fluid cooler tubes to the pressure filter cover.
^ Tighten to 15 Nm (11 ft. lbs.).
Fluid pan and filter
7. CAUTION: Make sure that the fluid filter pickup tube seal was removed from the bore when the filter was removed. Failure to remove the seal prior to installing the new filter will result in transaxle failure.
CAUTION: Make sure that the transmission fluid filter is fully seated into the bore. If the filter is not correctly installed, internal transaxle damage will occur.
Install a new fluid filter and seal assembly.
8. Make sure that the filter is seated over one of the mechatronic bolts.
9. CAUTION: Use care when cleaning the gasket surface not to scratch or gouge it, a transmission leak could result.
NOTE: Using a plastic scraper, make sure that all gasket material is removed from the case.
Install a new fluid pan gasket.
10. Install the fluid pan and the bolts. Tighten in the sequence shown.
^ Tighten to 12 Nm (9 ft. lbs.).
11. Install the fluid pan drain plug.
^ Tighten to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).
12. Fill the transaxle with approximately 4.7L (5 quarts) of clean CVT transmission fluid. Use the transmission fluid level setting procedure to fill the transaxle.