After reading several posts on using diff. fluids, synthetics, Mercon vs. Mercon V, etc., I have a couple of questions.
Since Ford apparently has two different trans. available in the 2000 Exp. and F series, is the 4R70W the trans. that is offered with the 4.6 and the 4R100 the one that goes with the 5.4? Several questions were brought up asking which trans. was in a specific vehicle. Does the engine that is in the vehicle dictate the transmission? I have the "E" code on my 00 Exp. 5.4L, so this is the E40D. Is the E40D a 4R100?
When I had my trans. serviced at the dealer Wednesday the billing indicated that Mercon V was used, yet my manual says the V should only be used in the 4R70W.
A couple of posts on this site say that on the 4R70W dipstick as well as manuals tell to use only Mercon. Can this change from year to year or are we not reading our manuals correctly? My manual says not to mix Mercon with V and not to substitute one for the other, yet the dealer apparently put V in my E40D which calls only for Mercon.
Where is there a history available on these different trans? How long has the 4R70W and 4R100 (E40D?) been in production? Has there been any internal improvements to them over their lifetime? What is their life expectancy with proper care and handling? Does the 2002 and 2003 models still use this trans? Thanks for your input. Walt

 

I ran my 4r70w to 140,000 on my 97 f-150 4x4 4.6.Changed my fluid once a year weather it needed it or not. The front pump blew out, rebuilt it complete.

 

EDIT

I just found another link that states that Mercon V can be used in a Mercon Trans.

http://members.shaw.ca/pferlow/transmission_oil.htm

I also saw this in a post, don't know if it was the same person or not.

I now stand correct, Mercon V is backwards compatiable to a Mercon trans, but not the other way around.

Go figure.....

As always check the manual and the dip stick, it will tell you want needs to be put in.

 

Ford ATF Recomendations, by transmission & year.

E4OD/4R100=Mercon, no exceptions
AOD-E/4R70W=Mercon V, some exceptions by model/year

All F-150's equipped with the 4R70W transmission can and should use Mercon V. My '97 came from the factory with regular Mercon ATF. 1st and 2nd fluid change, I used Mercon. 3rd fluid change, I used Mercon V. When Ford states that the 2 fluids have different characteristics and should not be mixed, they are correct on both statements. Mercon is much thicker than Mercon V. They also do not mix well together. When I switched to Mercon V, I noticed that the Mercon V also has a distinctly different scent.

Although you can put Mercon V in a 4R70W that originally had regular Mercon, you absolutely cannot put Mercon V in a 4R100 transmission.

What I suspect happened is that the technician that did the flush just assumed that you had a 4R70W transmission because he didn't drop the pan.

If the service receipt lists XT-5-QM Mercon V, you need to go back to the service dept and have the completely flush and fill the transmission and torque converter with regular Mercon. Hold onto that original receipt in case any problems develope.

 

So that link is not a blanket statement that Merconv V is backwards compatiable ?

My first post before I edited was you got screwed by the service tech. I was looking on the other topic ( on valve line mods for 4R70W ) and found that URL. I scurried back and edit the post.

 

The 4R70W and the E4OD are 2 seperate transmissions that require different care and feeding.

What you had been reading in the link from, Peter Ferlow above was writen about the 4R70W transmission.

The 4R70W used regular Mercon until mid-'98, when Ford released Mercon V. Mercon V was specifically developed to deal with transmission shudder that nearly always shows up in the 4R70W transmission after a few years.

 

I visited my local Ford dealer service department today. Talked with the svc. mgr. about the Mercon V that was put last Wednesday into my 5.4L Exp. with E40D trans. Up until then standard Mercon had been used.

I was told that this particular dealership is phasing out Mercon inventory and is using Mercon V in all transmissions, per Ford. Mgr. states that 4R70W must have V, but R100 can use either. They were told by Ford Tech. Support that the V in the R100 would allow trans. to run cooler and extend life, so have now phased in Mercon V for all applications.

Does this make any sense? Still bothers me that my service manual says to not mix the two, that they are not interchangeable.

 

From a Lightning discussion of ATF fluid:

Long discussion from the Lightning forum. There is only "1" member using Mercin V fluid and he is arguing with every single member that states the manual says Mercon.

His transmission seems fine, but I think you just became a guinea pig.

 

Thanks AJ, for the link to the Lightning forum. I read the entire lists of posts re. the trans fluid issue. I have to agree, when the manual says to use only Mercon, why risk V. I prefer to keep in the trans. what Ford tells us to use. I'm going to call Ford tech. support in Detroit on Monday and talk to them. The dealer I had the truck serviced at was pretty determined to keep that V in my transmission. I was more than a little surprised to be told that they would no longer have in stock Mercon fluid. This dealership is part of a group of five Ford product dealers and wonder if all have gone this route. I'll post a note after I get off the phone Monday with Ford.

 

I spoke today with both a service rep. from Ford, Detroit, as well as a power-train tech, both available from Ford Customer Service 800 number.

The following is what I have been told, and while it still concerns me that my manual plus almost everyone on this website disagrees, this is being passed on for your info.

"Mercon V is Ford's choice for the trans. fluid in the 4R70W and E40D (4R100) transmissions. All applications calling for Mercon can use Mercon V. Mercon V has a longer work life, fluid viscosity holds working range longer, and the transmission will run cooler. Shudder tendencies is reduced in both 4R70 and 4R100 transmissions with V. Future Ford service manuals and advisories will show Mercon V as the factory fluid for both these transmissions. Fluids marked as both Mercon V and Mercon compatable should not be used in 4R70W transmissions. While Mercon works efficiently in the R100, never should the Mercon be used in a 4R70W, which demands V."

I'm still not convinced, but was told thousands of vehicles with 4R100 trans. are now having dealer installed V put into them, and there is a Ford directive at the dealerships advising such. New 4R100 trans. are coming from the factory with V.

I still would feel better with the V taken out that the dealer just put in, but for now will hang tight and will re-visit the dealership and read the directive stating to use the V in all auto. trans. applications. And of course if anybody visits a dealership for a service and is told otherwise, would appre. a post on the board.

I wonder if there has been a re-formulation of the V recently?

Walt