PTU advised to be serviced- senior Ford mechanic

[MHW100]

Not to be mean to MHW, but they call Nanaimo "Surrey By The Sea". If you're familiar to Surrey, you know thats not a compliment. LOL. I actually like Nanaimo....except for that two months during a very hot Summer that I did my Combat Leader's Course (Canadian Military) back in 1988. UGH.

I just went to my local Ford dealer yesterday and made an appointment for the PTU fluid on Feb1. The tech there was very knowledgeable and helpful. He too does the local RCMP Police Taurus'. He absolutely agreed that doing the PTU at this interval (8k miles in my case), was a good idea. He too disagreed with Ford about the intervals THEY provide. However, he also stated that doing the RDU and trans now was NOT a good idea. He stated that waiting until 40-60k kms (25-40k miles) was a better choice. He said that those components have not been worn in enough to do a fluid change now. He was impressed that a customer would have this "first hand knowledge" about these fluids. I told him that, while I was a bit of a car nut and **** about maintenance, I could not take the credit and that this forum was my source. Regardless, he would do whatever I want, but I'm inclined to do just the PTU now and will wait until next Spring for the trans and diff.

I was quoted 300 bucks or so for the PTU.

Only reason I'm doing everything annually is because I'm on a tune on a PP . I wouldn't have done anything other than the ptu if I was stock .

 

[SM105K]

Not to be mean to MHW, but they call Nanaimo "Surrey By The Sea". If you're familiar to Surrey, you know thats not a compliment. LOL. I actually like Nanaimo....except for that two months during a very hot Summer that I did my Combat Leader's Course (Canadian Military) back in 1988. UGH.

I just went to my local Ford dealer yesterday and made an appointment for the PTU fluid on Feb1. The tech there was very knowledgeable and helpful. He too does the local RCMP Police Taurus'. He absolutely agreed that doing the PTU at this interval (8k miles in my case), was a good idea. He too disagreed with Ford about the intervals THEY provide. However, he also stated that doing the RDU and trans now was NOT a good idea. He stated that waiting until 40-60k kms (25-40k miles) was a better choice. He said that those components have not been worn in enough to do a fluid change now. He was impressed that a customer would have this "first hand knowledge" about these fluids. I told him that, while I was a bit of a car nut and **** about maintenance, I could not take the credit and that this forum was my source. Regardless, he would do whatever I want, but I'm inclined to do just the PTU now and will wait until next Spring for the trans and diff.

I was quoted 300 bucks or so for the PTU.

He is already there. I would change the RDU fluid as well. When I had my trans was replaced I had them replace the PTU and RDU fluid. I am at 68,000 miles. I went with Redline Shock Proof Lightweight Fluid. It is amazing to feel how much smoother the car is now.

 

[Christian]

"He is already there"

?? He is? I'm just learning the mechanicals on this car. I assumed they were'nt associated or in proximity to each other.

On another note, during an inspection they found a leaking CAC. They tightened it up and added dye to see if it still leaks.

 

[SM105K]

"He is already there"

?? He is? I'm just learning the mechanicals on this car. I assumed they were'nt associated or in proximity to each other.

On another note, during an inspection they found a leaking CAC. They tightened it up and added dye to see if it still leaks.

The car was already on the lift. If he had a suction device (pretty sure he did) it literally would have taken 10 mins? Maybe 20 mins? I personally would change the RDU and PTU fluids together. Cheap insurance.

 

[Christian]

Got the service done on the PT. Grand sum of 327 dollars. Tech recommended changing the fluid every 50k kms (30k miles). I decided against the rear diff fluid change. I'll do it with the next PTU change.

On another note, he found that my CAC (s) are/is leaking. They've ordered the parts.

 

[Jeff2017]

Sounds like he charged 2 hours labor. Is your car a PP?

 

[Christian]

Sounds like he charged 2 hours labor. Is your car a PP?

Not a PP. Labour total was 203.99 - in the description, it says, "pump clean fluid into PTU until fluid flows clean from fill hole. Run in D on hoist to mix fluid. Repeat two additional times and set fluid to full."

They used two qts of fluid for a total of $63.05

 

[glockcoma]

Not a PP. Labour total was 203.99 - in the description, it says, "pump clean fluid into PTU until fluid flows clean from fill hole. Run in D on hoist to mix fluid. Repeat two additional times and set fluid to full."

They used two qts of fluid for a total of $63.05

That sounds right. The manual even says to rotate the ptu 3 full turns, let it sit for 10 min, then check fluid level.

 

[Jeff2017]

That's not bad for all that. I will need to see if my dealer has a similar service.

 

[Christian]

That's not bad for all that. I will need to see if my dealer has a similar service.

I was fortunate that the mechanic was on board. He was impressed that I was armed with the info on this maintenance. I told him how I found the info here. He said his mom has a Taurus as well and he does this service for her. He said to do an inspection of the fluid condition each year and replace it as needed or every 30k miles.

 

[PoppaJ]

Red Line Shockproof is $20 a quart on amazon free shipping.

How many quarts does it take? needing to redo mine soon, at about 105k and not sure if it's ever been done as i bought it about 7k ago

 

[Johnbigdog]

How many quarts does it take? needing to redo mine soon, at about 105k and not sure if it's ever been done as i bought it about 7k ago

18 oz.