Tranny Fluid

[Marccus]

During a search I saw a link posted by Rockledge for the "Ford Recommended Transmission Fluid Chart (TSB Article No. 01-15-7).

My '89 Sho Manual states that transmission fluid is "Motorcraft Type F (ESW-M2C33-F) or Motorcraft DEXRON II or equivalent transmission fluid".

The chart indicates that " ... Manual Transmission fluid for 1981 - 1995 Taurus; Front Wheel Drive; MTX-1/3/4 is Mercon (Part Number XT-2-QDX; Mercon (Quarts); Ford Specification is Mercon ..."

I use Castrol Type F.

Type F fluid is listed on the chart for Automatic Transmission various model years 1977 - 1982, various transmissions.

What gives??

 

[38SHO]

I will tell you tomorrow, I dont know we don't use mercon II, we use Mercon III on everything but some fords(merc V), hondas, and new dodges/chrysler. Even older cars from the 60's we use merc III in them.....

i've only ever heard of using either Gear oil or ATF III in gearboxes.......

 

[sdpatt]

The manual that came with my 1991 SHO also recommended Type F ATF and MERCON II (now III). The MTX on my car has used Type F for most of its life and Mobil 1 Synthetic for the last 30,000 miles. They all shifted just fine and left the internals in great shape when I was able to view them as I replaced the synchronizer blocking rings and all seals at 268,000 miles.

 

[Rockledge]

Mercon II was superceded by today's Mercon. If a tranny was originally spec'd for Mercon II, then today's Mercon is what is now recommended for that application. Regarding your MTX, type F can still be used in there no problem, although I would agree with Ford that a Mercon-rated fluid is now the better choice.

 

[Marccus]

OK. Thanks to all for info.

My '89 now has 300,200 miles and I've always used Castrol F and I'm running the same tranny, but I do have leaks from the seals (!) which I need to change. In fact I need to do all the seals on the lower part of the engine.

I'll change to Mercon when needed since it is the better choice.

Should I completely flush the tranny of old fluid before changing, even if I have to add fluid to makeup for leaks?

In other words mixing different tranny fluids is a (although I believe it would not be catastrophic to mix - famous last words!)

 

[38SHO]

its all going to come out when you change the gaskets anyway lol


atleast if you did it professionally