The part that you're forgetting is that the engine radiator is there to cool the engine's coolant. By the time that coolant has made it from the end of the radiator where it entered at engine temperature to the side where it leaves to go back to the engine it has cooled considerably. That's what a radiator does. I've measured as much as 100F drop in coolant temperature from the hot to the cold sides of the radiator. This is on a fully warmed up engine. It's an even larger drop on a cold engine when the thermostat is closed.
The ATF is run through the cold side of the radiator. Now if the engine is running at 200F and the coolant loses 100F going through the radiator the ATF cooler is surrounded by 100F water, not 200F water. That's the part that most people seem to have a hard time with. The radiator is NOT at engine temperature.
Always and never are pretty strong words. There is a possibility that there is some condition that I didn't test that does something weird. I did test in ambients from -40F to +115F, and at no time was it even close. The ATF was ALWAYS warmer than the coolant in the cold side of the radiator.
Well explained Mark, I may have to use it. I have had this exact argument with a few shops and a few of my customers on more than one occasion.
__________________
05 Superduty FX4 4X4
6 inch lift with Toyo Open Country 38s, 5 inch stainless exhaust, Diablo tuner.
Master Certified Transmission Rebuilder of 22 years of all Makes and Models
Transmission Shop Owner and Operator
At its simplest, however, I'm pretty sure that as I run a pipe of 72 degree fluid through a bucket of 150 degree fluid I'm going to see a boost in temp.
Absolutely true.
My point is that you won't ever find a condition where the ATF is 72F while the coolant in the cool side of the radiator is 150F. It doesn't happen.
__________________ Mark
Former Ford automatic transmission engineer, 1988-2007.
Actually I sent those to ProPhotoGa for him to host for everyone to use (THANK YOU VERY MUCH PROPHOTO) and the third was supposed to be a TSB on turbo codes. I obviously clicked on the wrong file when I sent them to him. I'll get him the turbo TSB later today.
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Ford Makes It, International Shakes It, Full Force Fuels It, River City Turbo Spools It, ID Tunes It, and Trucks Unlimited keeps her Rockin the Road with 500+ BADASS Ponies
Hey, it is my pleasure to be able to host these. If anyone
else has files they would like hosted just shoot me a PM.
Thanks to Tim for the files and I will get the the other file
posted tonight when I get home.
Actually I sent those to ProPhotoGa for him to host for everyone to use (THANK YOU VERY MUCH PROPHOTO) and the third was supposed to be a TSB on turbo codes. I obviously clicked on the wrong file when I sent them to him. I'll get him the turbo TSB later today.
Can't "rep" you yet, but thanks Tim!
__________________ Mark
06 F250 CC SB ESOF FX4 Lariat 3.73LS 275/65R20; DieselSite Coolant Filter; High Idle Mod; HFCM Plug; Zoodad/Air Fury grill; Accufab Elbow; RACCCV6000 filter; JimmiJammers; Ravelco; SynchroMax in Transfer Case; Fumoto Valve; Harpooned fuel tank; Line-X; CPOhighway Products tool box; tracrac; Fox Weatherboots; Wet Okole Seat Covers; Stanadyne Performance & B2 for lubricity; PIE adapter (thanks Sarge); PIAA 24" wiper blades; updated EGR valve; BriteBox; Re-flashed; Fuel Pressure gauge; DashDaq on deck
Fellas,
A couple quick questions regarding my transmission leaking fluid. I have a 2005 PSD FX4. I just recently had my transmission serviced out of town. When pulling a trailer, I noticed a lot of fluid coming from the transmission. I can not tell exactly where it is coming from. My understanding is, there is a vent on top of the tranny that will release excess fluid. I am assuming it was overfilled. When checking the fluid level, letting it cool overnight, the dipstick still shows it to be full. THis has happend several times, but the stick continues to show that is is full. The truck runs great, other than the fluid coming out I can't tell that there is a problem and this did start immediately after it was serviced. Questions are,
1. Will having the excess fluid harm the truck? Or does the overflow vent correct the problem by default?
2. Do yall recommend starting over? Drain, flush, and put back in the correct amount?
3. Ok ,the manual calls for MERCON SP. The guy at the local transmission shop (not the one that serviced it to cause the problem) said he does not carry regular MERCON SP but uses the synthetic version. Does MERCON SP-"Synthetic" exist, I haven't found any info on this? Or is MERCON SP already a synthetic and the fella is just confused?
If I should start a new thread on this one, let me know. Any input would be greatly appreciated. THANKS
I would think that a new post would be advisable. Many folks have read this one before and may not read it again.
A former Torqshift transmission engineer has said that there is no substitute currenty out for Mercon SP. I have seen a person or two using a Royal Purple synthetic w/ good results so far - but the proof is in thhe "long haul"!
The overfill will not correct itself. Also, if these guys overfilled, I would not trust them to use the right fluid.
For me, I would quickly get the tranny flushed (again) and have the correct amount of Mercon SP put in.
A heated flush machine is required to get all the fluid out. Many dealerships do not have the heated nachine, so you may need to call around. I have found many dealerships say they drive until the fluid is hot and then flush, but if the new fluid is cold, the internal thermostat will close and the torqconverter will not be flushed completely.
At one time I was told that Mercon SP was a full synthetic. I believed it for a long time. Recent research can not come up with any proof that it is a full synthetic. I now tend to believe it isn't - but it is still a very good fluid and the only one that Ford says can be used in the torqshift.
__________________ Mark
06 F250 CC SB ESOF FX4 Lariat 3.73LS 275/65R20; DieselSite Coolant Filter; High Idle Mod; HFCM Plug; Zoodad/Air Fury grill; Accufab Elbow; RACCCV6000 filter; JimmiJammers; Ravelco; SynchroMax in Transfer Case; Fumoto Valve; Harpooned fuel tank; Line-X; CPOhighway Products tool box; tracrac; Fox Weatherboots; Wet Okole Seat Covers; Stanadyne Performance & B2 for lubricity; PIE adapter (thanks Sarge); PIAA 24" wiper blades; updated EGR valve; BriteBox; Re-flashed; Fuel Pressure gauge; DashDaq on deck
So where can I buy the Ford MERCON SP? The dealer?
I'm gonna cal Bud @ ocdieselshop.com tomorrow morning and see what he has for me. I know he has 50 gallon tubs of this stuff. He flushed my trans 5k ago.
__________________
2003 F350 6.0L CC LB 3.73s (Daily Commute)
- 10.5" Donahoe Racing Springs / 39.5" IROKs / Dual Fox Shocks
- 4" Turbo Back SS Exhaust / ARP Headstuds / SS EGR Cooler
- Banks Intercooler-Intake / aFe Intake Filter
- Magnafine PS Filter / DieselSite Coolant Filter
- SCT X3 Custom Tunes from Eric @ Innovative
Ok,
I brought my truck to the Ford place. I had them go ahead and flush and put the correct amount back in the truck. Well, a couple days later I went on a trip. After about6 hrs with the cruise on 75, the dang thing started leaking again! Apparently, it is doing this once the truck gets warm. The fluid is dripping off the back side of the tranny, it appears most of it is coming from the back right side (if your under the truck looking towards the front). Does anyone have any idea where it could be coming from? Gasket, coolant line,?? Someone point me in the right direction.
THanks
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