Transmission Fluid and Filter Change

[darreli]

Great! Thanks!!

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Darreli--

Now we need a "Punisher" opinion on the torque converter!

 

[darreli]

I agree! The guy has a great reputation!!

 

[thePUNISHER]

ive had one fail. had a shudder........ they seem to be pretty stout as well. from the outside it looks like a GM converter. GM and ford both co-designed this unit so that doesnt suprise me........ this tranny is also used in some of the gm suv's if im not mistaken.....i gotta say for the # of units out there im not seeing too many fail.....

 

[cthomas286]

Last time I went for an oil change they recommended changing it at 60k. I just had that done today for $182. This transmission uses a synthetic fluid so you can't take it just anywhere to get this done.

 

[SFM5S159]

I'm also of the old school theory that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure...
So I'll be changing my fluid at 35-40k I'd guess. If there is no filter to change, and you only get 6-8 qts out, isn't $180 a little high? On the other hand I guess you have $75 in fluids and maybe an hour labor plus the catch all disposal fees...

What is the recommended fluid?

Mike C.

 

[thePUNISHER]

Mercon lv

 

[TuxBlack]

Mercon LV

Just to clarify, the latest gen SHOs use Mercon LV ATF. It is a synthetic ATF, not compatible with previous versions of Mercon ATFs.

 

[N8rfastback]

did anyone get around to doing a write up for this? I just hit 60k and want to do it myself

 

[Duane]

Would Royal Purple trans fluid be ok?

2010 Ford Taurus SHO

 

[Calgary]

im second owner of a car i bought at 36k miles it now has 42k miles should i wait till 60k to change fluid? is the ptu fluid the same as tranny?

 

[SHOdded]

No, PTU fluid is basically gear oil, much heavier weight (75W-140). Since there is no drainage provision really without removing the unit from the car, owners have improvised using the vent and a fluid pump to do the exchange.

If you notice any sluggishness at all in transmission response, probably a good time to change the fluids. If you do/intend to do high performance driving, changing now is a great idea. There is no official guidance on PTU fluid change, only on transmission fluid change. More often than not, PTU fluid has been a weak link compared to transmission fluid. Very little fluid + heat + no cooling will do that.

 

[tery]

Thank you all for this discussion. I am taking in one of my 93's today. (AT)..Babe, I bought it a few months ago and am just beginning to start restoring things. The fluid isn't black or burned but definitely dirty. I have heard some say that it is better to leave it in there because tranny fluid has detergent properties and that "cleaning" things out can start leaks or clutches slipping, but I have a hard time believing that it is better to leave dirty fluid in there with the carbon particles that sand away at the metal parts...I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Don't fix it if it ain't broken as opposed to better late than never..
tks,
T

 

[SHOdded]

Tery, this is a Gen II question If you do not have a service history, the only way to know for sure is to send the fluid in for analysis. You could do a rough guesstimate by using a magnetized part of some kind to see if you can pull anything out. Then if you feel confident, do a drain & fill, NOT a flush. Do it 3-4 times over the next year to get as much new fluid in as possible without flushing.

But be aware that you may end up having to have the trans repaired/replaced. There MAY be warrantied ATXs still available from Ford, they run in the $3,000+ range tho.

 

[McGee2134]

I would never wait that long. If you go 150K before changing the fluid and filter, might as well just have a new transaxle put in, it will be toast.
Manufacturer's did studies many years ago (one I saw was from the 80's in conjunction with the ASE) and they discovered that a shockingly large percent of tranny failures could be attributed to improper maintenance (Fluid level too high or low, improper filter installation, gasket leaks, etc...), both from dealer's and DIY'ers. That is why many manufacturers have done away with the dipstick all together. The chances are the tranny will outlast the life of the car and almost certainly the original owner...when the beancounters figure in all these variables....VIOLA!
Anyway, I am a firm believer that the fluid takes the beating and needs to be replaced at regular intervals to keep the tranny healthy. Also, it is important to be aware a fluid and filter change is diluted immediately as the "Old" fluid in the converter, lines, valvebody and cooler (if you are lucky/smart enough to have one) is not changed and as soon as you top off after the change, it is mixed with the old fluid in the system and you still haven't completely accomplished the goal.
Side note: I used to be a MGR for Wynn Oil Co. and they have a pretty good flush unit that does replace all the fluid, but it still does not do anything for the filter, which may or may not need to be changed.
So anywho...you will probably be ok not touching the trans, but I know I drive my wife's SHO to the very limit of the engineering (and probably beyond!) that Ford put into the vehicle and my "oldschool" mentality likes to keep the fluids and filters fresh! (and yes for those of you that might be thinking it, I do know that the dirtier a filter gets the better it filters, but there is a point where the suction diff pressure starves the pump and you could risk implosion of the filter media and we would not want that to happen)

I will try to do a good write up and get some pictures when I finally get to the fluid and filter change, but that will be early to mid next year.

I'm not so sure a study from 30 years ago is valid today. Technology in cars has changed by leaps and bounds in 30 years.

 

[MDOJR]

Request

If you'd like a PDF copy of the factory service manual information for changing the transmission fluid, send me a Private Message with the request and your e-mail address. I also made a PDF of what's shown for separating the filter from the pump, but there are no steps listed for getting to the filter and the "filter" is not listed in the "in-vehicle repair" section.

-Rod

Sure could use that PDF you have. THANKS!

 

[SHOrod]

Sure could use that PDF you have. THANKS!

Sure could use a Private Message with the e-mail address to send it to.

-Rod

 

[SHOdded]

The filter is only accessible by cracking the case open, I believe. Isn't it more of a "screen" and claimed to be "lifetime"?

 

[MDOJR]

Sorry, [email protected]

 

[SHOrod]

The files are on the way to your inbox.

-Rod