Thanks to everyone on the advice of Mercon V fluid from my previous post. After talking to a transmission guy from a Ford Dealer, he confirmed the used of Mercon V for the 470R transmission.

Mercon V is only produced by Motorcraft at this time.

 

I just bought some valvoline durablend --synthetic blend. says right on top of label "meets mercon V" I got it at Meijer, has anyone used this?

 

Havoline also makes the Mercon V, it's like 2.29 a quart. The Motorcraft may be better but it's not the only one.

 

There are at least a dozen brands of MERCON V on the market.

Mark

 

Changed mine out last week. Used Amsoil. Says Mercon V on the jug and the Ford people said it was OK.

 

Thanks again for the source of Mercon V. This board is so great for information. I guess the guy was trying to get me to buy it there for like 6.00 a quart.

 

I used Castrol semi-synthetic MerconV @ $4.88cdn a quart. I used 12qts on 4R70W.

Not all 4R70W's use MerconV. The early models don't in 1997 and some of 98' when they switched. Check what your dipstick says, fill it with that.

 

But you can use Mercon V in the 97's and 98's with the 4R70W that came with Mercon standard. Just don't put regular Mercon in the trannies that came with Mercon V.

I'm running the Valvoline Durablend ATF - rated both Mercon and Mercon V.

 

I have been told that it's not good to use a dual-use fluid in your tranny ( ie: meets mercon and mercon V specs). Has anyone else heard of this or experienced something from using a dual use fluid. I noticed today at Wal-mart that any synthetic or semi-synthetic would list DextronIII, Mercon, and Mercon V. For example the Quaker State "hard working" semi-synthetic ATF (2.97), listed all three and claimed to meet a couple of Ford specs. I mean even Amsoil calims to meet all three, and it's like $8 bottle at my local dealer. Which by the way reminds me to ask, what you guys paid for Amsoil ATF?

 

I paid $6.55 per quart, which includes shipping and tax.

 

I've heard the same as what KYFordFreak has heard.

Basically you shouldn't put a "dextron/mercon/merconV" type of double approved or triple approved fluid in a mercon V tranny. To be "compatible" with all those fluid specifications there has to be a lot of junk in the mix. Good luck with Ford tranny warrantee as well. I'm no expert though.

I suppose it's the analogy of "all season" tires. They can do both functions (winter/summer) but accel in neither.

Yes, provided you flush the earlier 4R70W (97') of mercon, you can use mercon V.

My 2 cents.

 

p_ferlow
Seems like you and I are always talking about the smae things and are the only to that actually answer each others posts.

The analogy you used sums it up pretty well. I always believe a specfic product works better than a "cure all". While many say that Amsoil is the s*@t, I am still not sure.

Do you think dropping the pan and draining the TC on my 97 4R70W would get enough of the fluid that I could switch over to a Mercon V rated fluid? I know there has to be like 1-2 quarts still in the lines, cooler, and crevises of the tranny. I want to drop the pan to change the filter and take a look. I have never messed with the internals of an automatic tranny and want to see what one looks like and if there are any surprises in my pan. I guess I could drop the pan, change the filter, fill with cheap Mercon V, then take it to a quick lube and have them reflush and fill with good Mercon V ( maybe Amsoil).

 

My dipstick and manual both say to use plain old Mercon. I plan on using Mobil1 ATF as it is compatible for Mercon applications.

I'm gunna drop the pan and drain the Trq converter and let sit overnight while I fiddle with th shift kit and I doubt that there would be as much as a quart left in the lines and passageways to mix in with the thirteen or so to be added.

Is it possible to evacuate all the old fluid using compressed air somehow??

 

Good luck finding a fluid that is only rated Mercon or only rated Dexron. You will end up generally purchasing from a dealer then, and we all know what the pricing is there. I will say I that have read the same thing that multi rated fluids aren't generally recommended in the owners manual, but so long as the fluid meets Ford specs, I don't see a problem using the multirated fluids. Heck - synthetic Mobil 1 ATF is rated for both Dexron and Mercon Apps (Not Mercon V though) - does that mean its worse than Mercon or Dexron purchased from a dealer?

Generally, you would be fine doing the TC drain and pan drain and changing to Mercon . Sure there is a small amount of the old fluid left, but the tranny in the '97s is compatible with either. Just the newer trannies can't go the other way.

As far as getting nearly all of it, the flush machines do a pretty nice job, but I don't think there is any sure fire way of getting ALL of the old fluid out - just the vast majority.

 

I found Castrol semi-synthetic Mercon V at Lordco Autoparts, kind of like an Autozone or Napa but Canadian company. (Wally-Mart didn't have any Mercon V - behind the times)

I wouldn't spend the extra dough for Ford fluid either as you mention. Amsoil rubs me the same way... it may be good but I don't want to sell my car stereo just to be able to afford the stuff. The Amsoil dealer network almost sounds like an MLM scam. If I can't buy the stuff in any of the local parts stores then what good is it? (no offense intended for Amsoil dealers)

A few people have suggested a tranny power flush instead of dropping the pan, TC drain. However, would you take a shower and put your dirty clothes back on? Best to slap a new filter in there while you have the pan off. Someone else suggested disconnecting the trans cooler lines and blowing them out with low psi compressed air to purge the system. Makes sense.

If you're tranny blows up and Ford finds something other than true Mercon V in there then I won't be worried for you so you can fill it with what you like. I'm just passing info along the grapevine. I just hope nobody puts Mobil1 synth in a 4R70W that was running Mercon V. Probably a few out there think that a synthetic tranny fluid is the best and must therefore be good for their Mercon V tranny.

My point was, if you're not sure, read the dipstick and put what it says on there in it.

Yes, you're absolutely right, there is no sure way of getting 100% of the old fluid out of there.