2008 Ford Expedition Automatic Transmission Fluid Check

[@MrMattuse]

The wife “check-up” and conversation was classic.

[@chrisgraham2904]

I have the Expedition's prettier cousin, the Lincoln Navigator L, with the same transmission and configuration. Changing and checking the transmission fluid level with the aid of a hoist is bad enough, but on the ground it's a total pain. If you have to jack the vehicle to get under it, it has to be raised to remain level on a set of 4 jack stands. The fluid level does need to be checked when the vehicle is running in idle and in park. Unfortunately, the catalytic converter, which quickly reaches a temperature of about 1,200 degrees is located about 3 inches from the dip stick bold that you have to remove. The perfect position to access the dip stick is on your back with the catalytic converter, at 1,200 degrees just above your chest. Best to remove the dip stick with the engine off, then start the vehicle to check the level, then turn off the vehicle until the CAT cools before reinstalling. Filling, during a drain & fill with a plastic hose also has challenges without melting the hose. During the drain & fill process, I had to add top up fluid 5 times, repeating the run and cool process. Without a hoist, it's worth having a shop service the transmission, rather than risking your life on your back with the vehicle running.

[@Blackford86]

Pretty clean down there 👍

[@TheJhn924]

It didn't appear this transmission was up to temp when the fluid was checked. The catalytic converter is within inches of the dipstick which makes checking when hot extremely difficult. Proper heat resistant gloves and clothing are a must. However, the fluid level shown did seem to be correct for a cold or only slightly warmed up 6R series transmission... at or near the bottom of the hashmark. The fluid specified for this transmission was MERCON SP and has since changed to MERCON LV... not MERCON as stated in the video.

[@chrisgraham2904]

There is an after market dip stick and dip stick tube kit available that lets you check and fill trans fluid from the engine bay, but it sells for about $250 in the U.S. and the cheapest I've found in Canada is $550. Installation extra...of course.

[@jimpark4600]

No thanks. That is too expensive.

[@chrisgraham2904]

@@jimpark4600 Me 2. A ridiculous price for a tube with a dip stick running through it. The dip stick does lock and seal into the tube at the engine bay, to retain the vacuum in the transmission, but it's a simple thread and O-ring which sure isn't rocket science.

[@dinoruiz1592]

Nice work FORD lol what a great idea to have someone get underneath the car, get dirty and burned just to check and fill trans fluid. Ya I'll be selling my FORD soon.

[@jimpark4600]

I still love my Ford. I did end up changing my transmission fluid and filter. The pan had a reusable gasket. Recently I had to change the timing chain too. I have owned the truck since 110K. I love it. I now have 190K but that took 5 years to put 80K on it. The market right now, it’s not worth trying to buy something new. All the new stuff is junk.

[@Blackford86]

Let’s see a FORD executive do this with his suit on😅

[@myfloormats]

You must to check the oil when transmition riches 80 to 120 F. You are checking right way that Is why it's shows you lower level of oil.

[@jimpark4600]

I ended up changing the transmission fluid and filter. The gasket is reusable. I bought the ATF from Ford because it was a specific spec I could not find anywhere.

[@juancamacho2090]

Como se le pone el aceite a esa transmision

[@driftxorxdie4989]

Fluid check while engine running or off ?

[@nikkivelasco2719]

Hi Jim do you have a video where you fill the transmission fluid? Thanks

[@jimpark4600]

No sorry. I did the transmission fluid change off camera. I used this pump. www.harborfreight.com/multi-use-transfer-pump-63144.html?cid=paid_google%7C%7C%7C63144&gclid=Cj0KCQjwp86EBhD7ARIsAFkgakhWMDnmAVus68ykn_ytWB5A59sZxYBp3vOUYIaij1qvKE-545schQwaAq56EALw_wcB

[@jimpark4600]

I used OEM fluid and transmission filter that I bought from Ford. The gasket is reusable.

[@stevecirimele5585]

Did topping up the fluid resolve the noise you were describing? I'm having the same symptoms on my 2007 expy with this same trans as yours.

[@jimpark4600]

No, I found the noise. It was the passenger side 4x4 hub losing vacuum occasionally. It got worse so I took it to the dealer and payed them 120 to diagnose the issue. Once they told me what it was I just bought two new from 4x4 actuators and put them on. No more noise.

[@jimpark4600]

I should also add the dealership said they felt a torque converter shutter. They recommended a transmission change too. I did that myself as well. The transmission pan has a reusable gasket. Yours might too look on the pan it might be stamped on the outside of the pan itself. My was on passenger side.

[@jimpark4600]

@@MaroviTx nope. I had to change the transmission fluid. I just pulled off the trans pan which had a reusable gasket and put in a new filter. Topped it back off and that fixed it.

[@jerrycat8707]

Would you happen to know how much dealership charges you for replacing the fluid?

[@jimpark4600]

I don’t remember. You can call you closest Ford Dealer and ask the service Dept. I ended up replacing my fluid myself. This 08 Expedition had a reusable gasket so I just replaced the trans fluid and filter. I bought the fluid and filter from Ford just so it was OEM.

[@chrisgraham2904]

In Canada, the fluid and filter is about $350.00 and $200.00 labor at a transmission shop, or $400.00 labor at the Ford dealer.

[@rafaelfuentes7572]

So where you check the fluid is it the same place you add the fluid.

[@jimpark4600]

Rafael Fuentes Yes, you have to use a pump or something similar. Like this: shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/performance-tools-fluid-lubricant-pump-w1141/7070683-p?product_channel=local&store=3102&adtype=pla&product_channel=local&store_code=3102&gclid=CjwKCAiA44LzBRB-EiwA-jJipCpry8lxHTIJKbExp556icBWA3Ai9naHzPcoD8ZXTVgI-xb33XxVVRoCc-0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[@strangersolz]

Same procedure as my 2001 Isuzu Rodeo. Stupidity at it's finest.

[@weldcountyboywesternwearre6888]

The noise under pressure it a clicking sound like metal tapping

[@jimpark4600]

Kind of… it turned out it was the passenger side exhaust manifold gasket. An exhaust bolt broke. The manifold gasket was rattling under load going up hills. I also had a torque converter shutter in the transmission. I ended up doing a transmission filter changed. You have to drop the transmission pan to do it.

[@nookinc1527]

@@jimpark4600 I have a 2008 Expedition and it is shuddering bad on acceleration. 2 questions: 1- Did changing the filter solve the shuddering? 2- Does doing this risk hurting the transmission if the fluid is the original and never been changed?

[@jimpark4600]

@@nookinc1527 I was unsure of the past maintenance of my 08 as well. I took it to the dealer and they said a filter and transmission fluid change should take care of it. I did the change myself and replaced the filter and about 6 qts of ATF Mercon 5. That took care of it. I have had no more issues with the transmission.

[@nookinc1527]

@@jimpark4600 Thanks Jim. I guess I will need to take it by a Ford dealer to have them look and decide for me.

[@jimpark4600]

@@nookinc1527 anytime I don’t know I pay the 150 diagnosis fee at the dealer then tell them I will have to bring it back to fix it when I have money. Then I do it myself. LOL

[@thechump10]

Haha nosey wife lol. I understand

[@cjkatbruno]

The wife, fuck he's messing with my truck again. Husband I think the slightly low trans fluid is Causing a noise lololol not a chance there buddy

[@jimpark4600]

Yeah I ended up having to change the fluid. It was old fluid and causing a torque converter shutter. It is all good now.

[@jimpark4600]

She also had a vacuum leak on one of the front hub 4x4 actuators that would grind occasionally. I ended up buy two new actuators and replacing both on the front. That stop the louder noise she was hearing and feeling.

[@zain786ification]

How do you fill it back on a 2011 expedition

[@xbxsnipex]

International Architectural Systems FZE it’s best to use a “fluid transfer pump”. It can be an automatic pump or a manual hand pump..

[@telescopeastronomiaaficion5663]

Very good video

[@debhaldemam7507]

That was too painful to finish

[@450rmack]

Bruh that’s about dumb. Im selling mine asap. 😄

[@jimpark4600]

I love it. No trans issues yet. I did change the transmission fluid and filter much smoother now.

[@Ground_Zro]

This seem staged

[@raybosflorida4928]

how stupid is fkn ford to do this,,piss me off