CVT Maintenance (I have a Freestyle)

Please contribute your experience or information from shop manuals. I am especially interested in what the dealers are doing.

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THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE PROCEDURE AND IS INTENDED FOR DISCUSSION ONLY.
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I accessed ALLDATA at my local library. It’s a professional maintenance/repair database.

My objective to determine a CVT maintenance procedure/strategy that I like.

Here are my findings. Note that this information should be verified for your application and check for any late TSB. Cross check everything.

Continuously Variable Transmission – Ford 500, Freestyle, Montego

Name: CFT30
Ford P/N: 7F9Z7000B
Motorcraft: 6F9Z7000BRM (this is a remanufactured unit)

Fluid: XT-7-QCFT (it’s specific to the CFT30 use only this per manual)
Quantity: 10qt. full / 5qt. partial (unit has torque converter)

Filters: two - pan and high pressure/case
Ford Filter P/N: 5F9ZA098B (pan)
Motorcraft Filter P/N: FT162 (pan), FT169 (high pressure kit w/o-rings)

Schedule:
Normal; 60K miles (fluid+filter*) then 120K
Severe Duty; previously spec'd as 30K miles
*Ford website (myford) now says change fluid and case filter. Also shows SeverDuty has no fluid change at 30K(?).

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PROCEDURES:
a) Transmission Fluid Drain and Refill
b) High Pressure Filter and Case Cover
c) Transmission Fluid Level Check and Setting
d) Fluid Pan Gasket and Filter
e) Torque Converter Contamination Inspection

TRANSMISSION FLUID DRAIN and REFILL
Install a new high-pressure case filter when changing fluid. Drain plug is located on pan under driver side. I believe it’s T-40 torx. It says drain fluid in Neutral. Refill CVT with approximately 5 quarts and use transmission fluid level setting procedure.

HIGH PRESSURE FILTER and CASE COVER
It looks like it may be easy provided you have reasonable access. Disconnect fluid cooler tubes from the pressure filter cover located on the driver side in front of the half-shaft (after removing a bracket and one bolt). Remove 3 bolts holding cover, then the cover. Remove pressure feed tube, install new o-rings on it. Replace high pressure case filter and install feed tube. New o-rings required on pressure filter cover and the cooler lines.

TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL CHECK and SETTING
The procedure requires use of a dip stick, no p/n listed for the item. The vehicle comes without a dip stick. The fluid level must be measured at 109-117F temperature in Park after normal operation (which is 190-198F). Set parking brake and operate through each gear leave in Park. A “special tool” is required to monitor temperature. The procedure claims the temperature coefficient of expansion is different for this fluid compared to other ATF. My guess is the Ford tool is just a thermometer but may also have the “missing” dip stick built-in.

The hole location for the dip stick tube appears to be on the transmission case directly below the Air Intake Temperature sensor on my vehicle. It has a black plastic plug with a large black cable or wire coming out of it. I assume this is the level sensor for the wrench indicator on dash.

The procedure says the maximum level is 12mm higher when at operating temperature (190-198F) than at 109-117F degrees.

The filler hole is painted blue with (I believe) square hole ~3/8”. Remove this plug before draining! You don’t want to find that a special tool is required afterward. Its location is under the air intake tube between the air filter box and throttle plate on my vehicle.

“If adding fluid do so in ½ pt increment.” it says.

Discussion – Missing here is the depth of the fluid from the top of the hole. This could be measured on your vehicle assuming no leaks. Another way is to measure what comes out, but the fluids should be at same temperature to be precise.

FLUID PAN GASKET and FILTER
Drain pan in Neutral and pull pan/gasket. Remove filter. Check to see if filter pickup tube seal is stuck to case. It must be removed. Do high pressure filter and case cover procedure. Recheck pickup tub seal was removed then install new filter, be sure it is fully seated into bore. “Make sure that the filter is seated over one of the mechatronic bolts.” Install pan/gasket/plug. There is a bolt tightening sequence. Fill with approximately 5 quarts of CVT fluid.

NOTE: “When carrying out a fluid change interval, the removal of the fluid pan and filter is not required…but…installation of a new high pressure case filter and seals are required.”

“Do not attempt to clean or flush transmission cooler.”

Discussion - I assume you need to drain the torque converter to get all 10 quarts out. There was no indication how to do it but I assume a drain plug on the face of the TC. I wonder what the dealer does.

TORQUE CONVERTER CONTAMINATION INSPECTION
The CVT fluid is bluish-green when new and will darken to darker green…not brown or black.” Odor will not indicate heat damage or concerns."

It says flushing by machine via cooler tubes is not possible since it has a thermal bypass valve that will not stay open. That‘s not reasonable anyhow due to special fluid requirements.

My current conclusion is to drain the CVT at 30K miles after bringing it to temperature. 5 qt should come out. Let fluid cool and replace with exact same amount of new fluid.

My proceedure:
1) Measure fluid depth at temp (210F).
2) Let cool to specified temp using on board computer in test mode to monitor coolant temp (it's in degrees C).
3) Measure fluid depth at specified temp (C).
4) Remove fill plug and then drain plug.
5) Let removed fluid cool to same temp as new fluid.
6) Inspect removed fluid for discoloration.
7) Replace removed fluid by same amount
Bring up to operating temp and chech level.
9) Let cool to spec temp and check level.

I may have dealer do this proceedure at 30K (no case filter change).

If I have dealer do this I will check discoloration by withdrawing CVT fliud using clear tube and turkey baster or clean fluid pump.

Update: From my studies it appears there may be no way to drain the torque converter without removing the CVT. Ford does not recommend pan filter change with fluid.

The filter that is to be replaced at 60K is the "case" filter. It can be seen by pulling driver-side wheel off. Its right in front of the 1/2 shaft. Three t-27 torex bolts, two clearly accessable & one tight access but looks doable. I didn't check for clearance for filter removal and there is a engine mount nearby.

I could not locate the dipstick

If you dare...the dip stick is located under the air intake hose between the filter box and the MAF sensor. I think right under the little temperature sensor in the center of the hose.

I have not pulled this hose off yet. As I recall the engine should be running when checking so at least the filter end needs to be removed. Must be done at the CORRECT temperature. I plan to use the built-in temp meter in the dash display when it's put into TEST mode.

Found it, thanks. I woder if you could use oil extractor to get the ATF out from the dipstick tube. I have done that with my Mazda MPV.

Current high pressure filter kit is FT-178.

Is this "filter" external? My dealer said it has an external filter.......I dont know if they know for 100% sure.

our 05 has 42000 miles on it and havent done any maintainence beside oil and air filters. at 60k i plan to do the plugs, coolant and the CVT tranny, but i am not sure if i need to replace both filters at 60k?