Hey all,
F 150 2000 5.4 auto trans 4x4.
About 1000. miles.
I think it has synth in it from the factory.
Is it worth it to drain the factory lube and replace it with redline or some other synth brand?
Will it effect my warrenty?

I am getting ready to put mobile 1 in the crank case and was wondering if there is any benefits to changing the tranny fluid out.
Thanks again,
AHAB


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2000 f150 5.4 4X4
Auto transmission
Supercab
Lariat 139" wb Flareside
Manual 4x4 shift on the floor.
3.55 Limited slip Axle
Class 3 tow group
4x4 Off Road group
17" pizza cutter wheels (arrrh, too narrow )
5 COATS ZANIO POLISH
( AWESOME PRODUCTS!)
Mods:
4-14-00 Superchip installed ( Thanks Mike T. for all your help!)
Ordered Jardine Exhaust: $200.00 delivered!!
From John Brooks @ Jardine 1-800 347-8664 ext. 224 (Thanks John)!!

 

There is no fully synthetic Mercon V substitute currently available. Mercon V itself is approximately 1/3 synthetic already.

 

The 4R70W comes from the factory with Mercon V. If you do change the fluid use *ONLY* Mercon V rated fluid!

The 4R100 comes from the factory with Mercon, not Mercon V. It is not synthetic. There are several Mercon rated synthetics available. DO NOT USE MERCON V IN A 4R100! Ford says it is not compatible with the 4R100.

Mark

 

Actually, Valvoline has an ATF in their Durablend line that is suitable for both Mercon and Mercon V.
[img]//www.valvoline.com/products/images/pd_duatf.gif[/img]
A premium quality synthetic blend automatic transmission fluid engineered to meet manufacturer`s warranty requirements for General Motors DEXRON III and Ford MERCON and MERCON V specifications. It is formulated to provide performance benefits over conventional type ATF fluids including:

Better flow properties for smooth shifting performance
Superior high and low temperature protection for extreme operating conditions
Superior oxidation protection (resists thickening at high temperatures)
Enhanced anti-shudder protection
DuraBlend ATF is compatible with conventional ATF fluids and is recommended for passenger and commercial vehicles requiring the following fluids/specifications:

General Motors DEXRON III, DEXRON III-G, DEXRON IIE and DEXRON
Ford MERCON and MERCON V
Meets Allison C-4 fluid specifications

[This message has been edited by kilroy (edited 05-05-2000).]

 

I have been wondering the same thing. I don't have an answer but I am coming to the conclusion that as long as I do not see tranny temps above 200 degrees I am going to wait until 15K to do it. I think the OEM fluid is a synthetic "blend". I do know most "full" sythetics are more resistent to heat break down so only if you are getting high tranny temps, from towing or the like, do they start to have a great advantage in longevity of the fluid and therefore protect the tranny longer. Sort of depends on how you use the truck and under what conditions. I did switch to mobil 1 engine oil at 2,780 miles.

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2000 F-250 Super Duty, SuperCab XLT, Oxford white with medium grey cloth captains chairs, 5.4L Triton V8 (260 HP version!), 4R100 4 Speed Automatic Transmission, 4 wheel ABS, Deluxe Aluminum Wheels, Trailer Towing Package, Class IV Hitch, Reece load distribution system, Escort Sensor II Electronic Brake controller, K&N filter, Sure Stop towing skirt, "Westin" black powder coated step bars, "White-White" head lamps, Herculiner bed liner, ISSPRO Tranny Temp Guage, Excursion center console.

 

Be carefull with generalizations. The 97 4R70W used Mercon not Mercon V. I know cause I had one. It changed in 98 I think. I now have a F250 and use Mercon as well.

I think/heard Amsoil is working on a Mercon V compatable fluid. MSSparks could confirm this. MS where are you? Are they?

 

I have had a shudder problem for a long time now. I recently had trans and TC fluid replaced (flushed) by a Cottman Trans outlet.
my dipstick says use Mercon (not V) The Cottman guy said they use a mercon equivilant fluid. Guess what? I still have a shudder! what's my next move? Can I go to a synthetic? are there additives to help current fluid? I'm desperate for answers!

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JAMES PATRICK MCGUIGAN
[img]//www.freep.com/sports/grafix/wingstrans.gif[/img] http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...3704&a=2763730
http://pinckneypirate.homestead.com/index.html

98Lariat 5.4 4X4 SC SB Tow ORP
Superchipped!
K&N
WMS Velocity tube
Gibson Sport Truck exhaust
Edelbrock IAS
JBA Headers
Clear front corners
16X8 Centerline Billet Wheels 285 75 16 BFG AT's

jimmac@ismi.net




[This message has been edited by Jim Mc (edited 05-05-2000).]

 

Gentlemen,

I cannot understand how anyone could go wrong with using what Ford specifies for their transmissions. Why guess on a compatable substitute when Mercon 3 or Mercon 4 is recommended for you transmissions?

I am of the opinion that "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" as far as determining what might be a better trans oil. You could, on the recommendation of someone else, make a mistake.

Jimmy Mac,

Hey! You performed a good maintenance procedure with a drain and flush. If you still have the "shudder" after this it's not the fluid. Are you sure it's the transmission? Do you have LS differential? "Go Wings!"

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Dunbarton "The Middle Aged Kid" '99 XLT SC SB 4x2 4.6 auto 3.55 ls The occasional Z-71 Eater! Wedgewood & Denim, SuperChipped, Airaid FIPK, HD electrical and cooling, power seat, Rhino Liner, Extang Classic tonneau cover, Mobil 1. Man, I got it all! (New Jersey)

 

Hey Dun!
It's been a while eh? As for my tranny, my friend, you don't know what I've been through!this has been going on for over a year now. I've been to 2 diff dealears 5 times total! They will not verify it as trans shudder. I have had local performance shop go over all my installed mods for possible leaks/sensor problems. Nothing found wrong with headers/intake/exhaust. I finally had fluid changed as stated in above post. Still shuddering! It's easy to extol the virtues of Ford when you don't have problems! whenyou have a problem such as mine the service departments are not properly compensated to take the time to find the root of the problem. Service tech's are programed like robots to respond with the company "line". I have owned Ford products for the past 25 years but can I get a break for my loyalty? apparently not!
The dealers want to charge me $130 for a fluid change while the Cottman place charged me $95. That, along with my frustration with the service department, is why I chose to have it done by them. Why does Ford not make their (special) Mercon fluid available to the public via trans shops or auto parts stores? Ford dealer tech's are severely limited by labor time cuts and that is a disservice to all Ford vehicle owners. They will refuse to verify a problem that they know they will take a pay loss on!

Dunbarton my friend, I value our online friendship as well as your good advice, but as I said, you don't know what I've been through!

LS ? what does this have to do with it? I have the "classic shudder" symptoms : rythmic shuddering/shaking at 40 to 45 MPH and only at 40 to 45 mph!

------------------
JAMES PATRICK MCGUIGAN
[img]//www.freep.com/sports/grafix/wingstrans.gif[/img] http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...3704&a=2763730
http://pinckneypirate.homestead.com/index.html

98Lariat 5.4 4X4 SC SB Tow ORP
Superchipped!
K&N
WMS Velocity tube
Gibson Sport Truck exhaust
Edelbrock IAS
JBA Headers
Clear front corners
16X8 Centerline Billet Wheels 285 75 16 BFG AT's

jimmac@ismi.net




[This message has been edited by Jim Mc (edited 05-05-2000).]

 

Ford's Mercon V is available to independent transmission shops and individuals, though it's not widely marketed in any retail outlets (occasionally Pep Boys has Pennzoil and Valvoline and Autozone has begun to carry Aamco which is actually Exxon/Mobil). Local distributors offer Mercon V on a ready basis including Ford's very own Motorcraft brand. As long as Mercon V's been out, I can't understand why it's not offered at very many auto part stores or major retailers. Maybe maintenence and longevity and do-it-yourself aren't what they used to be. I plan on sticking with Ford's recommended service intervals for transmission fluid replacement in my Taurus (every 30,000 miles) and plan on driving it at least 150,000 miles, but I'm not going to add anything special other than Ford specification Mercon V.

 

Mercon V is recommended for *ALL* 4R70Ws. They started factory filling with this about 1998, but it is recommended for older 4R70Ws, too.

There are plenty of brands of fluid that meet Mercon V fluid. They will work just as well as Motorcraft fluid.

If you don't use the correct fluid you can cause shudder. Also, a converter that has been shuddering for a long time won't clean up with just a fluid change. If the shudder isn't fixed with a Mercon V fluid change, the converter is probably damaged and needs replacement.

Mark

 

I had the trans. shudder at about 30k till the dealer & Ford advisers had the fluid drain & flush & MERCRON5 at 37k. Now I'm due for a change out of warrenty. I understand MERCRON5 is a synth blend--is there a full synthetic substitute available??

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97 Lariet-sc-4.6-4x off road-auto-3.55 LS-
superchip-K&N-Poweraid-3"
pvc air box mod-Granetelli MAF

 

The service mananger & tech told me to use only MERC5 in my trans,

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97 Lariet-sc-4.6-4x off road-auto-3.55 LS-
superchip-K&N-Poweraid-3"
pvc air box mod-Granetelli MAF

 

cphilip wrote:

"It was this statement you made that I disagreed with. Quote: "The 4R70W comes from the factory with Mercon V. If you do change the fluid use *ONLY* Mercon V rated fluid!"

Obviouly this option only applies to the ones that could use Mercon in 97 only. Agreed?"

Sorry, no, I can't agree.

Ford recommends Mercon V for *ALL* 4R70W transmissions. All years, all models. If it's a 4R70W, Ford wants Mercon V in there. It was not the factory fill in '97, but when you change the fluid, you should use Mercon V.

Mark

 

OK Mark. now I agree. You *can* use Mercon V in a 1997 4R70W but you also can use Mercon.

It was this statement you made that I disagreed with. Quote: "The 4R70W comes from the factory with Mercon V. If you do change the fluid use *ONLY* Mercon V rated fluid!"

Obviouly this option only applies to the ones that could use Mercon in 97 only. Agreed?