[techy]

hi guys

just need some confirmation here, i think this is the plug but its really tight, it takes a 10mm hex bit. I used an allen key but think i might need a bigger tool... any tips?

the plug in the centre, left is towards front of car

this is where it is under the car, its not covered by any splash guard.

 

[SUVord]

Yes.That is the plug.No need to buy any other tool.Get a 10mm to 12mm spanner to use it as a lever with the 10mm hex.

 

[fotojack]

Yes.That is the plug.No need to buy any other tool.Get a 10mm to 12mm spanner to use it as a lever with the 10mm hex.

Spanner........translation: wrench

 

[martin-csr]

Yes.That is the plug.No need to buy any other tool.Get a 10mm to 12mm spanner to use it as a lever with the 10mm hex.

On a related note two box-end wrenches can be used in a similar manner in other applications.
The box end on one will kinda lock onto the open end of the other one. Works well for extra leverage.
Two wrenches working together on the allen wrench might be helpful in removing your drain plug, since a 10mm wrench might be kinda small.

 

[slavrenz]

Yes.That is the plug.No need to buy any other tool.Get a 10mm to 12mm spanner to use it as a lever with the 10mm hex.

On a related note two box-end wrenches can be used in a similar manner in other applications.
The box end on one will kinda lock onto the open end of the other one. Works well for extra leverage.
Two wrenches working together on the allen wrench might be helpful in removing your drain plug, since a 10mm wrench might be kinda small.

You can also just buy hex head sockets for your socket wrench at the store for like $20 or $30.

 

[Four_Eyes]

Or take the right size hex key, cut it to an inch or inch and a half long. Insert it into the correct size socket and viola! A usable "socket/hex key/transmission drain plug" wrench. It's a lot cheaper. :angel:

 

[techy]

Thanks for your help guys!

I loosen the plug with a 10mm Allen key with a 50cm (1.5ft?) pipe as a lever. It was really tight and it actually loosen with a loud crack! Theres a bit of wear mark on the allen key but the plug looks as good as new. Theres a washer with the plug but no rubber rings or gaskets?

And, the weird thing is only 2 litres of fluid came out, i let the plug out for about 15mins till it drips every 2/3 secs before i cap it back. was there anything else I should have done?

I put back roughly the same amount that came out, level now is about half a cm above the 65 deg notch when engine is running straight after a drive.

at 90,000kms, the ATF fluid it stains a white paper towel kinda dark red but the transmission fluid is black when you put it into a clear bottle =S, seeing how bad the fluid is i might do another change soon.

even with just a 2l change of fluid i find the car shifts a tad bit better now, it doesn't revs as much before shifting.

cheers

 

[hurk]

Not sure how much help this will be...

Search the internet for: Prowler's fluid change or Prowlers patented fluid change or Prowler's 7-6-3... something like that. It's an alternative way to change out the automatic transmission fluid by draining some, adding some, draining some, adding some, etc etc. You might get more search results if you preface your search w site:escape-cantrel.com ....... insert central in place of cantrel.

I believe it's for the V6 w automatic transmission. I guess it would work on a 2.3L.

 

[SUVord]

Fords workshop manual has an explicit step by step guide for a complete auto transmission fluid change.
If you do not have it I"ll be glad to post it for you.
It is very important to warm up the engine first before starting the fluid change.

 

[Four_Eyes]

Google this search : central escape transmission flush how to

and you'll find it. I tried pasting the url but it keeps getting masked. I also had to reverse it to say "central escape", otherwise that too gets masked :tease:

 

[techy]

Hi guys thanks a lot for your comments, I'm aware of the prowler 4/7/6 method but wasn't that confident of trying it, plus the fluid probably on my 90000km escape 2.3 auto has probably not been changed before so i was a bit wary of doing a full change. (like i mentioned, fluid came out so black that at first I thought it was engine oil)

so after my last change I probably only swap 2l of the tranny fluid but still up gear shifts feels better now. Since i'm actually bout a cm over the top 65 deg mark, I might just do another dump and fill while the engine is warmer, to see if more fluid come out this time (I left the car to cool for 30mins after a 12km drive the last time on a 30deg afternoon).

anyways ATF fluid is really expensive in aussie, i paid 39 AUD for 4litres of castrol tq-DIII at supercheapauto, a cheap trans flush by a mechanic cost at least $200 here, and they NEVER listen to customers. if any aussies here know something better tell me please!

cheers to everyone!

 

[SUVord]

Cheers to you mate :beer:

 

[Four_Eyes]

When I had to change my trans fluid, I had a trusted trans mechanic do it. He's done work for me before....total rebuild of another Ford tranny. He flushed out the fluid on my '05 and changed the fluid in my transfer case for the price of what it would have cost me to buy the fluid alone.