I have a '98 V70R. Just read with great interest a thread discussing JWS-3309 AT fluid. I don't know what transmission is in my vehicle or what fluid to use. Definitely don't trust my local dealer for a straight answer. Any info? I'd like to change my transmission fluid this weekend.

 

O.K. Answer to my own question - after a little searching, I have determined that '98 & '99 V70R's have a 4 speed trans. that uses Dexron IIE or Ford Mercon fluid.

My next question - is there a drain plug on the trans. or will I have to do the (messy) flush thing?

 

Hello, YES: There's a 24mm drain plug on this transmission. There's an 18mm aluminum crush washer beneath it's head. They're cheaply acquired through the online suppliers but are sometimes available on generic parts trees in some parts stores. NO: The "flush thing" isn't messy at all. I would do it that way if I were you. All you need are the two O-rings and a standby clip for the end of the upper transmission looling line to the radiator. The clip is either the old aluminum cage or the newer style green plastic clip. People use a tie wrap to get a second life out of their aluminum one and the plastic ones frequently don't break. Wear thick leather gloves when you pull out the line-the hardest part of the job-since it won't give you a warning. It'll just let go. Soften the end of a 4' long piece of clear plastic tubing in boiling water and stretch it over the end (where the O-rings are) and pump out the bad fluid 2 quarts at a time. It'll go so fast you'll be amazed. The longest part of the job is pouring the new fluid into the transmission 2 quarts at a time. The most efficient thing you could do to start with would be to pull the drain plug and replace those 3.5 quarts before you start the pumping process. Do you own a jack, safety stands and a 24mm wrench(spanner). Are you equipt or inclined to do this? Kira

 

Did the transmission flush today. Only about 6 weeks ... er, I mean about 3 yrs late. Was going to do it late May but then did a quick trip down to Hatteras. Had read in a thread somewhere that if the fluid and tranny were real bad that the tranny might cease to work after a full flush, so, I postponed that. Instead, replaced the upper engine mount with a high performance urethane one from IPD. But that's a bushing of a different color.

Autozone didn't have 12 quarts of Mobile 1 so I bought Vavoline Maxlife DEX/MERC instead. At $4.99 it's a lot cheaper than the Mobile 1 and they had plenty of it. A very nice funnel w/ measurements, debris screen, twist valve and nozzle and cup caps for only $3.88. Bought 1/2" i.d. clear vinyl tubing from Home Depot at $6.97 for 10'. Total cost now - $74.97 (includes 6% for the governor).

So ... Put down a couple of 2 x 8 boards w/ another couple of 2 x 8 blocks and drove the car onto them. Coupled with the angle of my driveway, this enables me to slide under.

Used a 15/16" box wrench to open the plug on the transmission. Wear some type of rubber glove when doing this. The fluid will come gushing out and can be quite hot. Got about 3 1/2+ quarts out.

Took off the plastic throttle assembly cover using a T25 bit. This makes accessing the fill tube just a little bit easier. Removed the battery. If you don't remove the battery, accessing the trans. fluid hose where it connects to the radiator is near impossible. Cut off a black plastic tie wrap around the metal retaining clip (the prior owner had had the fluid flushed around 50k).

Now comes the hardest part of the whole process - removing the metal retaining clip. If you have a snap-ring plier your all set, but if you don't. Use a needle nose pliers and open the clip up and push it backwards. Then cup it with one hand so you don't lose it and use a screw driver to push it the rest of the way off.

The hose should pull out from the radiator very easily now. Shove the clear plastic tube over the end of the transmission hose and put the other end into a graduated gallon jug.

I had drained 3 1/2 quarts out thru the drain plug so now I'll refill 3 quarts back in using the funnel and fill tube. Now I'm ready to power flush.

With foot on the brake, start the car and cycle thru the gears until about 2 1/2 quarts are in the jug. There's another 1/2 quart in the tube. Decant the jug and replace the same amount of new fluid back in as you have just pumped out.

I used up 11 quarts and still didn't like the color coming out so I ran back to Autone for another 4 quarts of fluid. Another $20.06. Total now - $95.03.

In total I went thru 5 cycles of pumping out old fluid.

O.K., now that that's finished, remove the battery again and insert the hose back into the radiator. Finagle the clip back into position and use a tie wrap to secure it. Top off the fluid to the middle of the "COLD" mark on the dipstick. Take out for a test ride.

Putting the car into 'reverse' was so smooth now I didn't think anything had happened. Surprise, surprise. I should have done this 3 years ago for sure!

P.S. If you disconnect the battery, make sure you know your radio code.