Weird Trans Fluid..

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Sep 18, 2011 | 11:49 PM

FordGuy85

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Weird Trans Fluid..

I recently purchased a 1999 F250 5.4L XL Reg. cab with a manual transmission. Not sure what the exact trans is but it is the basic 5 speed. I was going through the truck changing all the fluids when I discovered the trans fluid was a yellow and a whitish color.. the new ATF was red.. not sure if this thing had seen water or not or if the fluid was supposed to be that color.. Just wanted to see what you experts had to say.. I may change it again in a few months if my situation sounds bad to you guys.. thanks!

Sep 19, 2011 | 01:48 AM

mountie

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From: Innisfree, Alberta

Definitely sounds like water got in there. That color is usually gear oil with water mixed in. Had it myself a few times over the years. However, correct me if I'm wrong but Manual trannies don't use ATF. They use gear oil. Unless Ford changed something.

Sep 19, 2011 | 02:40 AM

hotroddsl

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From: Gilbert Az.

Manuals have been using ATF for a couple of decades now! Lowers friction and lubricates better.
Jim & fat Monty

Sep 19, 2011 | 09:42 AM

northwindone

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From: California High Desert

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotroddsl

Manuals have been using ATF for a couple of decades now! Lowers friction and lubricates better.
Jim & fat Monty

That's usually true, even for xfer cases. All my manuals in the past have used ATF, I was surprised though when my Nissan hardbody actually called for old fashioned "gear oil" for the 5-speed manual.

Anyway, sounds like water to me as well; I've seen what outboard lower-unit fluid looks like a few times when a seal has gone out. According to the manual for my '99, Mercon ATF was specified as the correct fluid for the manual transmission and the xfer case as well.

I don't know the correct procedure, but maybe it would be a good idea to change out the fluid again in a short amount of time to make sure all the water-contaminated fluid is removed. Maybe someone with more experience can chime in.

Sep 19, 2011 | 11:19 AM

FordGuy85

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For starters I just wanted to say thanks for the help on this so far! I am beginning to think that the previous owner put gear oil in the trans rather than the correct fluid. By the way my owners manual says that a Mercon V fully synthetic ATF should be used in the trans and a Mercon V in the T. case.. It was tricky (heh). The only other thing I noticed is that this stuff stunk as well. I will be changing that fluid soon!