Dealership PTU pushback

[Jordan Arthur]

Dealer said they can do it but both service and tech guy recommended there is no need and gave me the "lifetime" speel. I told them i have heard otherwise from many sources. They said they will do it but tech said its very labor intensive and they have to order me new gaskets and bolts for the exhaust as they have to remove that also to do it. Essentially they were trying to talk me out of it but if i do it, should cost me a lil more than $200. Other lincoln dealership i bought car from wont even do it as in literally said they can not and will not...smdh

Car has 61k on it and and i bought it with 47k, positive it has never been changed. I'm just curious if it's something to gamble on. Tech that would do it says changing the fluid won't save one from failing if it is going to fail. How much is a new ptu anyways? I would do it myself as my car is 2014 w/pp but im not super car savy tho i have done some small things like install cai. Just looking for ideas and opinions, thanks.

 

[xFallenxCripplex]

If the fluid has never been changed then it needs to be done if you have a warranty on it I wouldn't care to much other then sometimes it feels they may have not put things back together properly if they need to replace it down the road.

Peace of mind and no warranty I'd change the fluid. Every 20k-30k miles

I've been lazy and mine is at 28k now no issues yet. But I'm sure the fluid is going to look super bad.

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[Lostneye]

I heard the same. Local shops that I would trust wouldn't touch it. One dealer quoted me $160 over the phone which went to $400 and the "lifetime" pitch as they didn't want to do it once they had the car. Just had mine replaced under warranty last week with 55k, bought it with 20k. Just the PTU itself is close to $1000 plus labor and any other ancillary parts.

I do believe the newer revisions are more reliable but there is not enough fluid IMHO which will lead to more heat, fluid breakdown, rinse repeat until failure. When guys like bpd who change the fluid religiously and have no issues on fully built cars I don't believe the "lifetime" spiel.

 

[Jordan Arthur]

I heard the same. Local shops that I would trust wouldn't touch it. One dealer quoted me $160 over the phone which went to $400 and the "lifetime" pitch as they didn't want to do it once they had the car. Just had mine replaced under warranty last week with 55k, bought it with 20k. Just the PTU itself is close to $1000 plus labor and any other ancillary parts.

I do believe the newer revisions are more reliable but there is not enough fluid IMHO which will lead to more heat, fluid breakdown, rinse repeat until failure. When guys like bpd who change the fluid religiously and have no issues on fully built cars I don't believe the "lifetime" spiel.

Yeah i don't buy it either and will probably get it done soon. Ive been hearing a light rattle on acceleration before the car has warmed fully since i got the car and have always worried it could be ptu related. Dealers can't find anything wrong or loose when i brought it in for it. Sounds almost like a heat shield lose but again its faint and only intially, it's the damndest thing. Tech said ptu failing would be more of a stutter on acceleration which tbh is hard to completely rule out given how touchy these gas pedals are.

 

[Lostneye]

I had the propane smell, didn't notice any other symptoms. Drove it another week and a half until they had a loaner available and didn't smell it again. When I called the dealer for an appointment and said why the first question was it an AWD car. Once they opened it up the bearings were shot. When I got it back it is smoother but I'm guessing I didn't notice a gradual change when it was on it's way out.

 

[Jordan Arthur]

I had the propane smell, didn't notice any other symptoms. Drove it another week and a half until they had a loaner available and didn't smell it again. When I called the dealer for an appointment and said why the first question was it an AWD car. Once they opened it up the bearings were shot. When I got it back it is smoother but I'm guessing I didn't notice a gradual change when it was on it's way out.

Good to know, what year is ur car?

 

[SHOdded]

2013 per his signature. probably not showing up if you are using Tapatalk.

The problem with the PTU shows up in a multitude of ways. Fluid leaks that are obvious, fluid leaks that are not so obvious, smells that happen only at speed, smells noticeable only at idle, etc etc etc. But any of these symptoms is officially cause for PTU replacement OR at least idler bearing kit repair depending on Ford's decision.

Basically, if it happens, do not ignore. Get it in the shop as fast as possible. If you do not have warranty, at least change out the fluid as soon as possible to extend remaining life.

And look for dealers that offer BG servicing. Usually much more amenable to flushing the "diffs". Or Lincoln dealerships. Or talk to the trans tech directly about what you want done. Service advisors are usually not technically enabled, if you find one that is, be sure to hang on to your find

 

[Lostneye]

Yes 2013.

I had the propane smell only one time after my hour commute in heavy traffic then smell showed up as I was parking. I was aware that is a sign of a failing PTU so I made the call. They did say it had a small leak and my guess was they were just going to try and fix that if the bearing weren't shot.

 

[Johnbigdog]

Dealer said they can do it but both service and tech guy recommended there is no need and gave me the "lifetime" speel. I told them i have heard otherwise from many sources. They said they will do it but tech said its very labor intensive and they have to order me new gaskets and bolts for the exhaust as they have to remove that also to do it. Essentially they were trying to talk me out of it but if i do it, should cost me a lil more than $200. Other lincoln dealership i bought car from wont even do it as in literally said they can not and will not...smdh

Ask them why the owners manual says 30 k interval for severe duty.

 

[xFallenxCripplex]

Well and what is considered severe duty? I would think if you are towing frequently but Shure there is more to it then that.

Ask them why the owners manual says 30 k interval for severe duty.

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[Johnbigdog]

Well and what is considered severe duty? I would think if you are towing frequently but Shure there is more to it then that.

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I will raise your question and ask YOU what normal duty is?

 

[SHOdded]

Does it really? For severe duty. Worth a shot asking then 4 sure!

 

[luigisho]

Couldbe for towing but also possible to include commercial use like police and taxi

 

[SHOdded]

There is this whole section on Exceptions I never looked at LOL. This is from a 2013 Taurus Owners Manual as published by Ford online:

390 Scheduled Maintenance
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA (fus)

EXCEPTIONS
There are several exceptions to the Normal Schedule. They are listed
below:
Normal vehicle axle maintenance: Rear axles and power take-off (PTO)
units with synthetic fluid and light-duty trucks equipped with Ford-design
axles are lubricated for life; do not check or change fluid unless a leak is
suspected, service is required or the assembly has been submerged in
water. During long periods of trailer towing with outside temperatures
above 70°F (21°C) and at wide-open throttle for long periods above
45 mph (72 km/h), non-synthetic rear axle fluids should be changed every
3000 miles (4800 kilometers) or three months, whichever comes first. This
interval can be waived if the axle is filled with 75W140 synthetic gear fluid
meeting Ford specification WSL-M2C192-A, part number F1TZ-19580-B or
equivalent. Add friction modifier XL-3 (EST-M2C118-A) or equivalent for
complete refill of Traction-Lok rear axles (see Technical specifications in
the Capacities and Specifications chapter for details).
Police/Taxi/Livery vehicle axle maintenance: Change rear axle fluid
every 100000 miles (160000 kilometers). Rear axle fluid change may be
waived if the axle was filled with 75W140 synthetic gear fluid meeting
Ford specification WSL-M2C192-A, part number FITZ-19580-B or
equivalent. Add four ounces (118 mL) of additive friction modifier XL-3
(EST-M2C118-A) or equivalent for complete refill of Traction-Lok rear
axles. The axle fluid should be changed anytime the axle has been
submerged in water.
California fuel filter replacement: If the vehicle is registered in
California, the California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the emission
warranty or limit recall liability prior to the completion of the vehicle’s
useful life. Ford Motor Company, however, urges you to have all
recommended maintenance services performed at the specified intervals
and to record all vehicle service.
Class A Motorhome: Change brake fluid every two years.
Hot climate oil change intervals: Vehicles operating in the Middle
East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa or locations with similar climates
using an American Petroleum Institute (API) Certified for Gasoline
Engines (Certification mark) oil of SM or SN quality, the normal oil
change interval is 5000 miles (8000 kilometers).
If the available API SM or SN oils are not available, then the oil change
service interval is 3000 miles (4800 kilometers).
Edge/MKX AWD only: Vehicles operating off-road in sand during high
ambient temperatures must replace the AWD PTU (All-wheel drive
Power Transfer Unit) **** every 20000 miles (32000 kilometers).
Engine air filter & cabin air filter replacement: Engine air filter
and cabin air filter life is dependent on exposure to dusty and dirty
conditions. Vehicles operated in these conditions will require frequent
inspection and replacement of the engine air filter and cabin air filter.