In 2006 Ford changed MERCON V to be compatible with all transmissions that used MERCON. In 2007 Ford stopped licensing the production of MERCON, so officially licensed MERCON fluid is no longer available. Many companies still make a fluid that they say is used where MERCON is required.
You can use MERCON or MERCON V.
The Castrol MERCON ATF did not cause this problem.
__________________ Mark
Former Ford automatic transmission engineer, 1988-2007.
In 2006 Ford changed MERCON V to be compatible with all transmissions that used MERCON. In 2007 Ford stopped licensing the production of MERCON, so officially licensed MERCON fluid is no longer available. Many companies still make a fluid that they say is used where MERCON is required.
You can use MERCON or MERCON V.
The Castrol MERCON ATF did not cause this problem.
Agreed, its got to be low on fluid or filter off as the pump is starving for fluid causing low line pressure.
__________________ God is Great, Beer is good, people are crazy
'06 F250 PSD XLT, CC, SB, 4x4, SCT custom tune from eric, ARP studs, autometer gauges, 4'' MBRP turbo back, AFE stg II, EGR delete, Zoodad, Chrome step bars, '08 mirrors, viper Alarm, Rough Country 8'' Lift, MT MTZ 36-15.50-20, 20X10 Motometals.
From the owner's manual from ford official website.
Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. MERCON and MERCON V are not interchangeable. DO NOT mix MERCON and MERCON V. Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide to determine the correct service interval.
Some transmission fluids may be labeled as dual usage, such as MERCON and MERCON V. These dual usage fluids are not to be used in an automatic transmission that requires use of the MERCON type fluid. However, these dual usage fluids may be used in transmissions that require the MERCON V type fluid.
MERCON and MERCON V type fluids are not interchangeable. DO NOT mix MERCON and MERCON V. Use of a transmission fluid that indicates dual usage (MERCON and MERCON V) in an automatic transmission application requiring MERCON may cause transmission damage. Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.
Yes, that is what the owners manual says, but it was superseded by this TSB:
This publication contains material that is reproduced and distributed under a license from Ford Motor Company. No further reproduction or distribution of the Ford Motor Company material is allowed without the express written permission of Ford Motor Company.
TSB Main Page
TSB
06-14-4
MERCON ATF IS BEING REPLACED BY MERCON V ATF AS A SERVICE FLUID.
Publication Date: June 29, 2006
FORD:
1980-1997 Crown Victoria
1981-1997 Mustang, Thunderbird
1981-2003 Escort
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
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
This article supersedes TSB 01-15-7 to update the vehicle application chart.
ISSUE:
MERCONŽ Automatic Transmission Fluid is being replaced by MERCONŽ V as a service fluid.
ACTION:
Beginning immediately all automatic transmission / transaxle applications requiring MERCONŽ can now be serviced using MERCONŽ V or MERCONŽ Automatic Transmission Fluid or dual usage fluids labeled MERCONŽ / MERCONŽ V. After July 1, 2007, MERCONŽ 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.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Service automatic transmissions requiring MERCONŽ with MERCONŽ V or MERCONŽ Automatic Transmission Fluid or dual usage fluids labeled MERCONŽ / MERCONŽ 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 MERCONŽ V SHOULD STILL ONLY USE MERCONŽ V OR DUAL USAGE FLUID LABELED MERCONŽ / MERCONŽ V.
CAUTION: MERCONŽ 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 MERCONŽ 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 MERCONŽ (Quart)
XT-2-DDX MERCONŽ (55 Gal. Drum)
XT-5-QM MERCONŽ V (Quart)
XT-5-DM MERCONŽ V (55 Gal. Drum)
WARRANTY STATUS:
As was mentioned earlier, if you need Mercon V you still need a product that is compatible with Mercon V, not just Mercon.
__________________
2007 F-250 Super Cab Short Bed 4x4 XLT Sport Package 5.4L 3.73 LS Tow Command Presently working as a military contractor in Afghanistan.
The whole Mercon vs. Mercon V thing has gone away. Ford recently, a couple of years ago?, came out with a TSB that says to use Mercon V in everything that says Mercon OR Mercon V.
It seemed at the time, based on a lot of conversations we had, that the Mercon V spec had changed to include Mercon. So, Ford dumped the Mercon-only spec and went fully with Mercon V.
4R100 trannies SHOULD have a drain plug in the pan.
What I've done with trannies without a drain plug in the pan was to use an oil changer pump with a long tube, and put the tube down the dipstick and pump everything out of the pan. Just did this with the wife's 4R70W in the Cougar. I was able to empty out the entire pan and get a few tablespoons in the bottom when I took it off.
As to whether or not the torque converter has a drain plug, I believe around 2002(?) they did away with the TORQUE CONVERTER drain plug. I seem to remember my 2001 MIGHT have one (haven't changed it yet). A 2000 SHOULD have a TC drain plug.
__________________
- art k. - Moderator for the Superduty, V10, and FE forums
'01 F250SD SC SB XLT V10 4x4 auto 3.73 Warn hubs Volant CAI, eBay headers and y-pipe - 5-star custom tunes on SCT X3
'97 Cougar XR7 30th Anniv Edition 4.6L
'74 F250 Highboy FE390 deceased! I've been wrong before, I'll be wrong again. Just wait and see.
__________________
- art k. - Moderator for the Superduty, V10, and FE forums
'01 F250SD SC SB XLT V10 4x4 auto 3.73 Warn hubs Volant CAI, eBay headers and y-pipe - 5-star custom tunes on SCT X3
'97 Cougar XR7 30th Anniv Edition 4.6L
'74 F250 Highboy FE390 deceased! I've been wrong before, I'll be wrong again. Just wait and see.
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