'90 - Transmission Maintenance/Preventive Check List

[BLACKonBLACK98]

Yup, another one of those. Just want to make sure I have pieced together the information i have found correctly and make sure I didn't miss/misunderstand anything.

Car is a '90, 114k miles, history unsure. Supposedly the transmission has been rebuilt/replaced but nothing to back that claim up as far as paperwork.

Fluid is turning brownish. My understanding is that means I need to flush it. Checked the BG shop site and my corner mechanic was listed as offering transmission service so I'll talk to them soon. From what I have gathered the parts list includes gasket, filter, one time use bolts, and red lubegard (correct?). Necessary labor is flush/fill, pan drop, filter change, top off.

For preventive I am looking at a B&M 70264 cooler and 80277 remote mount filter. Details were vauge but from what i gathered the external filter was a good idea and something that was later added to the G50 (correct?).

Did I miss/misunderstand anything?
Modified by BLACKonBLACK98 at 7:24 PM 4/28/2009

[qship96]

External filter and cooler are both great ideas{94-96Q} came with external filter from factory and upgraded twin cooler vs 90-93 single cooler- so you are on the right track by adding both to your 1990Q.

Once you get your fluid changed, put it on a regular 25-30,000 mile schedule to exchange atf to prevent the fluid from turning brown/black again.

Might want to consider going to a full synthetic atf to prolong fluid and transmission life- I have used both mobil 1 and Redline d4 in my 96Q and original transmission is still operating like new so far at 227,000 miles.

[BLACKonBLACK98]

that's actually something i was not clear on. what do they use for the bg flush? is that simply a process or is an atf product?

i was wanting to go synthetic oil and atf, probably when i did this round of maintenance.

[NightRiderQ45]

that's actually something i was not clear on. what do they use for the bg flush? is that simply a process or is an atf product?

It's a process that uses a atf product. I don't know what type of fluid they use, so I brought in my own atf. They claim that they have a universal syn atf that meets every car specs. I think that's BS honestly! How can THEIR ONE fluid meet all specs? You can't even purchase that type of fluid otc, so I don't know how BG has that magic fluid.

You can search on exactly how the process is or go to youtube to get a visual.

[Q45tech]

Unlike engine oil which is mostly just refined oil, transmission fluid is mostly a combination of hundreds of additives. Since the ATF is not exposed to gasoline or combustion byproducts and does not get exposed to 158 pounds of air [containing dust and dirt] EVERY HOUR of opereration.

As many of see even a oem filter with 99.9999% effectiveness still leaves lots of dirt in plenum.

Transmissions operate at 20-40F COLDER than engine oil.

All the reasons and more are why oil last for 90 days [< 200 hours of use] whereas ATF can last 30,000 miles or 2 years............8-10 times longer.

People who are not educated in tribology and mechanical engineering don't change fluids as often and allow excess wear and tear on systems limiting their life.

[BLACKonBLACK98]

good to know although, me not being a mechanical engineer, the application of the information is beyond me. are you simply stating that atf is different from engine oil and operates under different conditions or am i missing the point?

since you seem to be the guy, care to comment on my proposed plan? i tried my best to piece it together from your posts or other's "q45tech does this" posts.

the flush seems like it will be in the hands of someone else so i'm not too concerned about that. transmission cooler is pretty straightforward.

how about the remote mount filter? i read you say something to the effect of "drop the pan and replace the filter once, then replace the external filter and fluid regularly". did i get that right?

[maxnix]

If your ATF is "brownish", you will want to perform a chemical flush with BG Quick Clean for transmissions immediately before the mechanical exchange.

Compulsive owners will preform the first exchange with same brand ATF before following with synthetic ATF.

Install auxiliary ATF cooler B&M 70264 or 70268 (depending on where mounted) bypassing early single tank heat exchanger and consider adding external filter like later G50. Someone has noted a filter for Ford will fit the OEM housing, but filtration characteristcs have not been verified.

There are a ton of old posts by Q45tech documenting his second transmission's (OEM new) maintenance for 173K miles. Read them.
Modified by maxnix at 9:04 AM 4/29/2009

[BLACKonBLACK98]

i searched for all threads by q45tech and found suprisingly little regarding transmissions. just ran a second check to make sure. if you could be so kind as to point me in the right direction...

[qship96]

you could just install a disposable Magnefine atf filter in the cooling line{easier than doing a mount with replacable filter element}. ford and other manufacturers use the Magnefine filter branded as their own part. google Magnefine and see how simple this is to install- can also put one on power steering return line if you want to go all out!

[BLACKonBLACK98]

the magnefine looks cool but i like the b&m remote mount better. unless the magnefine performs better i'll stick to the plan. the extra bit of work doesn't bother me especially since i'll be installin the cooler at the same time.

any thoughts on adding a drain plug to my pan if i don't already have one? this would give me a way to filter out particles (external filter) and do fluid exchanges without pulling the pan everytime (drain plug) right?

[qship96]

Get a transmission pan from a 94-96Q from junkyard and swap with yours-easier than trying to modify yours to gain a drainplug.

[BLACKonBLACK98]

well i should have one so hopefully it's a non issue, but an updated pan does sound like a better idea. wasn't sure that they were compatible. thanks.

[maxnix]

i searched for all threads by q45tech and found suprisingly little regarding transmissions....

Might search under transmission as he seldom if ever spells transmission correctly.

They would be about 3 - 5 years old.

[BLACKonBLACK98]

i'm scared to see what may come up under "transmission".
Modified by BLACKonBLACK98 at 11:34 AM 4/30/2009

[maxnix]

I know what you mean!