2009 MB Mondeo 2.0L TDCI AWF-1 Trans flush

[cobrin]

OK I know we have lots of these I'm doing mine right now and have a couple pics that I'll post. It's easier than I expected.

I'm just about to fill it for the third time, just need to get the correct level height on this one and I think that's about all I'd do as it's clean enough. I bloody left my book at home so gotta search online, I'm at another place doing it. It was black on the first drop. As it's on stands I've been doing it on those with no issue.

will update with pics later on. Gotz ta get moving...

[NZ XR6]

Great, I'm looking for info on how to do this. Hate to think what a dealer will charge.

[cobrin]

Ok sorry I can't edit the first post, I left the camera behind when leaving. I just got it this evening.

I won't start with jacking up the vehicle and removing the under-tray, that's pretty self explanatory, so be careful...safety first. However have the vehicle jacked up on stands and level solid ground. The trans fluid will be hot so allow for it.

Tools: (also a drain pan missing from the pics)


close up




Drain Procedure:

1. Remove the Airbox
i. unclip the MAF sensor connector and it's clamp on the side of the airbox.
ii. loosen the intake clamp and remove the intake tube from the airbox.
iii. lift the Airbox from the engine bay, lifting from the rear two rubber mounts then the front.


2. Clean area around the fill plug.
i. using a Torx T55 bit remove the Fill plug.
ii. place the funnel in the fill point.


3. Draining the trans.
i. using the Torx T40 bit remove the level checking plug and collect any fluid that will drain. I had 1.1-1.2L drain which I thought wasn't right. Warning hot fluid...
ii. using the 17mm Allen Socket remove the drain plug. This will drain the remainder left. I ended up with ~3.2L in total.

Fit the drain plug and fluid level plug.

Drain Procedure Complete.

Staged Fill Procedure:

This is as simple as refill what had drained. When done put the fill plug back in.

Cycle Procedure:

i. put Airbox back in and MAF connected.
ii. *go for a drive and cycle through all gears for at least 20s, even in manual sport mode.

Now do the same procedure two or three more times (drain,refill,drive) how many times is up to you and the condition of the fluid on subsequent drains but four fills is ample imo.

Final Level Check Procedure:

I haven't found any evidence on the workshop procedure so I'm in two minds of thought.

A. with the engine at idle remove the Fluid level drain plug and slowly fill the trans. till it flows out of the plug at a 1mm drain spill, then fit the Level Check Plug.

B. fill with the same amount of fluid that drained on the first drain. So engine off Check level plug out fill till it spills out and fit the Check Level Plug, then fill the same amount on your first drain (mine being 1.1-1.2L).

I chose A, in that whilst it's idling I filled till it spilled out the Check Level Plug and that was it.

The fluid on the first drain was black, it wasn't burnt smelling, more like fermented fruit if I had to explain it. I put one drop on a piece of white cardboard as I was draining with a drop of clean fluid to compare. I'm glad I did it, just wish I did it earlier.



The end result that I can feel is remarkable, sharp quick shifts, but not harsh.

Situations where you go to stop at a set of lights but before you get to stop it goes green; when feeding on the accelerator I had a bit of a harsh kick. That's now gone and feels great. Oh and sport mode feels so much better, responsive even.

* Now cycling through the gears means needing to go for a drive which also means I'd have needed to jack it up every time, that's not gonna happen lol. Whilst on the stands I did the gear cycling on them. I had no issue with it, keep your wheels straight, use your brakes to slow the wheels when shifting down gears is all I do. You don't want to change down when over running that will no doubt do damage to some extent. I didn't have the airbox fitted and the fill plug was off only when filling. Some may have an issue with that, I don't.

Feel free to not use anything I've posted, i'm not advocating gospel/written in stone kinda deal.

[Binny]

Great write up Cobrin.

[NZ XR6]

Excellent, thanks for the write up. I haven't been able to find the factory fill procedure on line. I'd expect either procedure to work though, there must be a reason for the oil level plug!

From what I've read, Aisin only wanted professionals to do fluid changes, so deliberately made it difficult. Weird, but it is a Japanese box.

What was the mileage when you changed the fluid? Ford say 100,000 km but that seems too long, especially as you can't drain all of the fluid.

Did you use the Ford fluid?

I'm going to see the local auto trans specialist as I'd expect that they would flush the torque converter. But I'm not sure if it should be done that way - I know that you shouldn't flush Honda autos.

[cobrin]

I thought Ford said sealed for life, I did this one at 150K kms I'd be speculating if it had been done once before (it's origins are a fleet vehicle). I bought it with 120K on it April last year.

The fluid isn't Fords own, it's Total Lubricants, totaloil.com.au. They bought ELF Lubricants, same oil same blend just different packaging. As you can see my drum is ELF MV. 20L was ~$160 (i think $163) and I've got enough to do probably 2 more drains, but I reckon I'll do one every second service and keep on that schedule.

[NZ XR6]

The service booklet that came with my car says 100,000 km.

I'll look into the Total trans fluid. ( I didn't notice the label on the blue drum. )

I use their oil in the Mondeo instead of Castrol stuff, which isn't a low SAPS diesel oil.

[NZ XR6]

I called into the local trans place today. Would cost $250 - 300 depending on how much fluid they have to use to flush it clean. They would also hook up to the TCM and check for errors.

I'll see how much the fluid is going to cost me. I doubt that I'll keep the car long enough to do it a second time, so it may not be worth sourcing the sockets for the drain and fill plugs, and buying the fluid.

Then there is the whole issue around which fluid to use... Seems to cause a lot of angst among Saab owners in particular.

[GTLEGEND]

Drain and refill procedure below:
Document.pdf

Hope this helps...

[cobrin]

I was really hoping that document had descriptions of sorts, but unfortunately it's as basic as a pop up book.

Thanks for the link anyway.

[cobrin]

So two services later (30K Kms) I did the box again, the fluid did smell different this time, it had a bit more pungent typical smell. It was darker as expected but still had some translucency to it not much but not pitch black either.

Felt good on the test drive, I've only got a few litres left in that 20L bottle so got time to get another. Feels good to have a procedure down pat now. Also so much nicer to use a Xmass present 2T Aluminium Jack similar to the Arcan, three pumps and the wheels are off the ground, nice long handle to make it easy.

[ope126]

Great "How To" Cobrin!!!

[cobrin]

Just done a big service (all fluids/filters except coolant) and this time the trans was included, I've got a good routine going and smashed it out quickly. One problem I found this time is the heat cycles really had the plugs tight and I'm sure I've done a small bit of damage to the little trans drain plug (for the fluid level plug) so if you're doing your own fluid changes please do take care when undoing them. I might order another just in case for the next fill. That and my drivers inside cv boot is leaking grease. It's not split or anything like that but the larger steel clamp on the boot is where the grease is leaking from. This is the RH/side this time as the LH/side had the same issue a few years ago. Fixed by renewing the steel banding so will be doing that again first.

On a plus note I've also done my fathers '15 MD ecoboost trans before he headed out on a Xmass gathering and the vehicle went brilliantly, funny enough we changed sparkplugs ($100 from ford) and that had cleared up some slight rough idle that he had noticed. everything is back to tip top for that vehicle too as it's had a half interval oil change.

Up next two Mondeos getting their annual strip, correction, polish and two sealant coats...