ATF fluid change....

Hey guys--
Will be changing my ATF fluid this spring on an '02 F-350 7.3L Turbo. Any suggestions regarding Brand and type of ATF? Also, any special procedures to drain the maximum amount out? (torque converter and such)?.....thanks....

Diesel D said:

Hey guys--
Will be changing my ATF fluid this spring on an '02 F-350 7.3L Turbo. Any suggestions regarding Brand and type of ATF? Also, any special procedures to drain the maximum amount out? (torque converter and such)?.....thanks....

Click to expand...

Do not use Mercon5

Valvoline mercon/dexron along with 2 bottles of lubegard red is what I run in my 97 with the e4od transmission (very similar to the "newer" 4r100 in your truck)

transmission and tc are original with over 212k miles on it.

There’s a lot of rabbits to chase with this one. I’ve used the valvoline max life for 5 years without any problem. I use my truck to tow a 32 ft camper and 27 ft boat (not at the same time). Your question made me google and Max Life is frowned upon by many. Most say to use Mercon 5. I chose the Max Life because it’s synthetic and priced right. My trans temps never exceed 180 normally 165 in the summer. I did read that the max life is lower viscosity and may cause harder shifts and convertor shudder. I have not noticed this but I did use Lucas transmission additive when I changed mine, the Lucas is pretty thick. I’d like to use Mercon 5 to see if I feel a difference. Good luck deciding.

Just to muddy the waters:

MERCON ATF IS BEING REPLACED BY MERCON V ATF AS A SERVICE FLUID.
TSB 06-14-4
FORD:
1980-1997 Crown Victoria
1981-1997 Mustang, Thunderbird
1981-2003 ******
1986-1993 Festiva
1986-1997 Taurus
1989-1997 Probe
1994-1997 Aspire
1995-2000 Contour
1980-1996 Bronco
1981-2003 F-150
1981-2004 E-Series, F-Super Duty
1983-1996 Ranger
1986-1996 Aerostar
1991-1997 Explorer
1993-2004 F-53 Motorhome Chassis
1995-1998 Windstar
1997-2004 Expedition
2000-2005 Excursion
2001-2007 Escape
1987-2000 F- B-Series
2000-2007 F-650, F-750
This article supersedes TSB 01-15-7 to update the vehicle application chart.
ISSUE
MERCON Automatic Transmission Fluid is being replaced by MERCON V as a service fluid.
ACTION
Beginning immediately all automatic transmission / transaxle applications requiring MERCON can now be serviced using MERCON V or MERCON Automatic Transmission Fluid or dual usage fluids labeled MERCON / MERCON V. After July 1, 2007, MERCON Automatic Transmission Fluid will no longer be manufactured, therefore, availability of this fluid will only continue for however long it takes to deplete what remains in inventory.
LINCOLN:
1980-1997 Town Car
1981-1997 Continental
1993-1997 Mark VIII
1998-2004 Navigator
2002-2003 Blackwood
MERCURY:
1980-1997 Grand Marquis
1981-1997 Cougar
1986-1997 Sable
1987-1999 Tracer
1995-2000 Mystique
1999-2002 Cougar
1993-2002 Villager
1997 Mountaineer
2005-2007 Mariner
MERKUR:
1985-1989 XR4TI
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Service automatic transmissions requiring MERCON with MERCON V or MERCON Automatic Transmission Fluid or dual usage fluids labeled MERCON / MERCON V
For proper fluid application on current and past model vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions / transaxles refer to the fluid usage chart. (Figure 1)
CAUTION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS / TRANSAXLES THAT REQUIRE MERCON V SHOULD STILL ONLY USE MERCON V OR DUAL USAGE FLUID LABELED MERCON / MERCON V.
NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by “do-it-yourselfers”. Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article.The information in this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supercede this information with updates.The most recent information is available through Ford Motor Company’s on-line technical resources.
Copyright 2006 Ford Motor Company Online Publication Date June 30, 2006 PAGE 1

TSB 06-14-4 (Continued)
CAUTION
MERCON SP, MOTORCRAFT PREMIUM AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID AND MOTORCRAFT M5 ATFS ARE UNIQUE FLUIDS AND MUST BE USED IN APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDING THAT PARTICULAR FLUID. USE OF ANY OTHER FLUID MAY CAUSE REDUCED FUNCTIONALITY OR TRANSMISSION DAMAGE.
CAUTION
THE FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FLUIDS FOR CVT TRANSMISSIONS ARE VERY DIFFERENT THAN THOSE OF OTHER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUIDS (ATFS). USE OF A FLUID OTHER THAN MOTORCRAFT CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE CHAIN TYPE TRANSMISSION FLUID OR ONE LABELED AS MEETING MERCON C WILL CAUSE FUNCTIONALITY CONCERNS AND INTERNAL TRANSMISSION DAMAGE.
CAUTION
DO NOT USE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID SUPPLEMENTS, ADDITIVES, TREATMENTS OR CLEANING AGENTS.
PART NUMBER
PART NAME
XT-2-QDX XT-2-DDX XT-5-QM XT-5-DM
MERCON (Quart) MERCON (55 Gal. Drum) MERCON V (Quart) MERCON V (55 Gal. Drum)
PAGE 2
WARRANTY STATUS: Information Only

Figure 1 - Article 06-14-4
PAGE 3

Mercon (dexron) is what was originally spec'd for the e4od/4r100 transmission. Stick with that plus two bottles of lubegard red and you'll be fine

greenskeeper said:

Mercon (dexron) is what was originally spec'd for the e4od/4r100 transmission. Stick with that plus two bottles of lubegard red and you'll be fine

Click to expand...

Thanks, Greenskeeper.....any suggestions on draining the fluid? is there a way to drain the TC?

@gnathv....thanks for the info....is there a way to drain the TC? (Torque Converter)....

I believe my 93 had a drain plug in the convertor. It was a square plug that you accessed through the flex plate. Remove the inspection plate at the front bottom of transmission bell housing. You will have to rotate flex plate until plug is at bottom.

I just googled a picture and it shows the drain in the outside of torque convertor, I’m pretty sure mine was in the front. It’s been several years though.

Yeah I have also had good results with Max Life and Lube Guard red.

thanks guys....good info....

Diesel D said:

Thanks, Greenskeeper.....any suggestions on draining the fluid? is there a way to drain the TC?

Click to expand...

Some TC will have a drain plug, others will not....my 97 does.

If you don't have a drain plug on the TC there is a procedure to pump the fluid out by disconnecting the cooler line going to the rear of the transmission. I've never had to do that procedure since I have the drain plug on the TC but it's out there on the internet. If you don't change the fluid in the TC it's only maybe a total of 2 quarts in there.

02 will not have a drain plug in the converter. There are write ups on how to do a flush on a 4R100..

Fluids you can use any Mercon/Dexron or Mercon V fluid. Mobil 1 or Valvoline Max Life are good to use.

@trackspeeder....thanks....I'll check it out

@greenskeeper....thanks....too bad my '02 TC doesn't have a plug...sounds like it would be a lot easier....