Ok since everyone was so helpful on my oil/egr cooler replacement (which by the way produced temps @ 80 MPH of 197ECT / 201EOT) I am now onto my next project. I want to service the transmission but I am confused with the more threads I read on what type of fluid I should be using, the more muddy the waters become. Is there a definate answer to fluid type to be used? My truck is a 2006 CC 4WD, I do only moderate towing (7000lbs) durring the summer with the boat.. I live in Florida where it is pretty much hot all year long, and brutal in the summer. Any recommendations..
And thanks again to everyone that assisted and suffered thru my questions with the coolers..
This is a great site!

 

Factory HOT flush from your local Ford Dealer.

 

Use only Mercon SP or LV. LV is taking the place of SP. Drain the pan from the drain plug and refill with 8 qts. of SP/LV. Change your external filter, run it thru the gears and then check your fluid level. Mine took 8 qts. exactly. Some say they took 8 1/4 qts. It's not necesary to change the internal filter unless rebuilding. I do this every other oil change however I am **** on maint. and sometimes tow a 13 k,loaded, 5th wheel. By the way, the two fluids are compatible with each other and can be mixed.

 

i agree with age!

 

Well... I am more **** than any one that has posted so far.

The manual states to change your fluid every 30,000 miles (based upon towing usage and conditions of course - use common sense here guys).

Here is what I have done since day-one with my 6.0L Excursion.

I have the dealer perform my services and I watch (becuase I am ****)... and I only use Mercon SP fluid (Mercon LV is replacing LV, but I use SP due to being cheaper and still available... and what was in our trucks from the start).

1) 30,000 miles - Flush with machine to ensure 100% fluid exchange and replace external filter (next to radiator on passanger side). Not all dealer change filter unless you ask!!!

2) 60,000 miles - Flush and change external filter as above. When done, have dealer also drop pan, change internal filter and inspect and clean bottom of tranny pan. This requires an additonal 8qts of fluid.

3) 90,000 miles - Repeat #1 above.

4) 120,000 miles - Repeat #2 above.


I had to replace a tranny temp sensor in between services which required the dropping of the pan... so at one point, I did not do it as scheduled since I had the filter changed out at that time (no extra labor just cost of filter).

On a side note, I also change my rear diff, front diff and transfer case every 60,000 miles (also done at dealer). The manual states that the rear diff is a "lifetime fill"... but that is hog-wash in opinion.

Fluids are cheap insurance... and I drive my truck (easy and hard) and never worry about if my fluids... as I am ahead of schedule on all services!!!

**** yes... but have never broken down or overheated!!!!!

 

What is the cost of a dealer / bona fide hot flush with 2 filter changes?

Thanks

 

The manual does not state the rear diff. is a life time fill, look on page54 of your 6.0 liter powerstroke owners guide supplement. "97,500 miles change rear wheel drive axle fluid." You might be confusing this with the front axle where there is no mention of maintenance schedule.

 

I called my dealer here in West Palm Beach and he claims that the flush (12 qts) and the external filter is just about 200.00. Does that sound about right? They claim the filter is nearly 70.00, is that possible? I dont have much experience with the dealerships on the 6.0's so I am trying to not get taken to the cleaners.

thanks

 

The external filter is nearly $12 not $70 if you buy them online. Get a few and do the filter yourself.

 

I have a good relationship with my local dealer and have negotiated for "fleet pricing" on my parts and labor services.

Back in October 2010, I had a transmission flush done at my local Ford dealer and it cost me $134.00 for the flush (with Mercon SP of course - 16qts) and $44.71 for the external filter. With tax and all the other junk fees they charge...my total was $200.00 out the door!!!

List price for the external tranny filter may very well be +$60 at full list... so try and negiotate.

No one ever said that owning a diesel was cheap... and yes, if you can do the work yourself and you can buy your parts on-line... then yes, you will save money... but tranny services is not my cup of tea (for me that is).

 

The use of 12qts sounds low... as my dealer uses 16qts for a flush.

I guess check your diesel supplement manual and see what the fluid capacity of your transmission is... then that will tell you if they know what they are talking about or not?

Better to pay more and have it done right than done wrong.

Ask what kind of flush machine they use. Mine sucks out fluid at the same rate as it pushes it in (hooks to cooler lines right below radiator)... takes about 30 minutes as the fluid volume movement is very low/slow.

Some dealers have a machine (mine does but I don't let them use it on my truck) that uses the "fill tube with a long metal suction hose that goes down it" and it pushes in 2qts... then allows the tranny to mix it around.. then it sucks out 2 qts. All this does in my opinon, is dillute the fluid!!!

I want old fluid out as new fluid goes in... no mixing of old and new!!!

 

You may be right... which I think you are.

To cold in the garage to go get my manual out!!!

Ford has a habit of "over-stating" their maintanence.

1) I change my diffs and transfer case every 60,000 miles.

2) I flush my radiator every 50,000 miles instead of 100,000 miles (Ford has since backed off their 100,000 mile interval - duh).

3) I flush my brake fluid every Spring to ensure good, no-moisture, no rust in the master cylinder braking!! Ford has no service interval for this service... but Lexus and Mercedes does for their vehicles... wonder why... because it works???

4) I installed and filter my P/S fluid with a Magnafine P/S filter (which Ford uses on their Tranny Rebuilds and mentions in a TSB for bucking brakes since they are part of the same hydaboost system). Again, I filter and swap out 1qt each Spring (Ford has no service interval for this)!!

 

Beachbumcook, I am like you when it comes to any maintenance on my 2 trucks. I'll bet there are many who over look the differential oil change, I waited until 100,000 miles to change mine and it came out looking like Nestles chocolate milk. Every 50,000 now. Florida-1959 look up "dieselfiltersonline" they have the factory OEM external trans filters made by NTZ for about $12 and do it yourself. It's all of a 5 minute job to change it with only a cup full of fluid comming out, and it sits just under the bumper.

 

At 30,000 I had the dealer do a hot flush. It was $133.00 for the flush and I changed the filter afterwards myself. They listed 16 qts. BBC, the LV is a buck a qt. cheaper at both of our dealers than the SP. Only one of them still has the SP.

 

The PS system not having a filter and causing brake binding is almost unconsciousness.

Note the TSB filter is a temp that is screwed in, do the clean, and remove?


If I were a Ford maintenance geek, I would put in a stack of sensors to monitor fluid shape and set up bleeps... on the dash.

Much of their problem can be monitored optically via fairly cheap LED sensors.


One cheap maintenance you can add to the list is to replace the grease in the ball / other joints regularly.

The trick is to flush the old grease out --- loaded with metal and other contamination.

If you keep them greased 2X a year, stay away from fording streams, their life can easily double.