Well, yes, I guess I didn't really mean "inferring" but was fumbling for the word at the time and just went with it. We're on the same page.

 

I had to look up "inferring" HA Dictionary dot com
I thought you were swearing !. Now, "fumbling" I know quite well..

 

Thanks, Dan... I needed a good laugh this morning.

 

Reviving a months-old thread, instead of starting a new one...

I see some people here recommending Mercon V.

The manual for my truck says to use Mercon in my 4R100. Then it has this footnote:

----------------------------------

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.

---------------------------------

This seems to indicate that Mercon V should not be used in this tranny. Can someone please clarifY?

.

 

I use the same Napa fluid Danskool uses.
Because I read the same thing in my manual that Kel Varnson read.
But if you call your Ford dealership they will now tell you to use Mercon V ... because apparently Motorcraft is no longer making Mercon.
But the Napa sales person told me that Mercon V has more friction modifiers which will make it shift smoother, which I interpreted to mean "slip."
He recommended the Mercon over the Mercon V because my 4R100 trans was made to run with Mercon not Mercon V.
Remember, the warranty has run out on your 4R100, so my guess is that Ford has no problem telling you, at this time, to use Mercon V which is the only thing now available at the dealership in the parts dept and in the service dept.
But your manual which was published at the time you bought your truck said to use Mercon and not to use Mercon V.
So that is why I decided to continue with Mercon.
Maybe BadDogKuzz or someone with more knowledge can shed some light on this issue.
But Danskool's recommendation is what I independently decided upon after evaluating the info available to me.

 

As stated, Mercon V is the recommended replacement of Mercon, which is no longer held as I understand to meet the specs that Ford initially had on it.

They released a Technical Service Bulletin on it.

TSB for Mercon V.pdf

 

The Napa guy is an idiot who obviously knows nothing about the subject

Tim, Tim, Tim...no guessing allowed! Ford has no problem telling you which correct oil to use in your trans because they know best, not the Napa counter guy.

That's because Mercon V was not compatible at the time. Dex III/Merc was the fluid to use.

Dex III/Merc was discontinued (for a while) when Ford and GM stopped licensing it. Merc V was reformulated and licensed by Ford and GM and was recommended for the 4R100, as well as others.

Dex III/Merc disappeared from the shelves for a time, but then came back. The problem is, like Mark K has stated, nobody is watching how they are formulating it anymore since Ford and GM no longer license it.

The TSB Big Al attached has been posted by me many times, and whenever I see this topic come up, I've always passed on the words of Mark K: Ford and GM no longer license Dex III/Merc, so there's no monitoring of the fluid. Merc V was reformulated and is now the fluid recommended for your 4R100.

Stewart

 

Just in case someone doesn't wanna download the attachment in Alan's post, here it is:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:
MERCON® Automatic Transmission Fluid is being replaced by MERCON® V as a service fluid.

ACTION:
Beginning immediately all automatic transmission / transaxle applications requiring MERCON® can now be serviced using MERCON® V or MERCON® Automatic Transmission Fluid or dual usage fluids labeled MERCON® / MERCON® V. After July 1, 2007, MERCON® 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 MERCON® with MERCON® V or MERCON® Automatic Transmission Fluid or dual usage fluids labeled MERCON® / MERCON® 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 MERCON® V SHOULD STILL ONLY USE MERCON® V OR DUAL USAGE FLUID LABELED MERCON® / MERCON® V.

CAUTION: MERCON® 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 MERCON® 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 MERCON® (Quart)
XT-2-DDX MERCON® (55 Gal. Drum)
XT-5-QM MERCON® V (Quart)
XT-5-DM MERCON® V (55 Gal. Drum)

WARRANTY STATUS:
Information Only
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stewart

 

I know I am late to the game but I wanted to add that this USE to be true. However when Ford upgraded to Mercon V and made it backwards compatible they stopped regulating and monitoring the production of Mercon. Realistically, they only actually sampled a low percentage of Mercon on the market when they DID monitor the production, but since they have abandoned it they had not regulated the Mercon market, allowing the manufacturers to do whatever they please to the Mercon.

This is why Ford has said to STOP using Mecon and use Mercon V in all Mercon applications, instead of just using Mercon where it was previously accepted.

EDIT: I see that Stewar<strike>d</strike>t touched on this a few posts above too.

 

Not quite correct, Trey. That is NOT why Ford said to stop using it.

The TSB states, "After July 1, 2007, MERCON® 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."

And that's exactly what happened. Manufacturers stopped making Mercon. You couldn't find it on the shelves anywhere because Merc V was reformulated to be used in anything that used to take Merc.

However, after a time, the different company's started making Mercon all over again, only this time, with no licensing or monitoring from Ford or GM, they were free to do whatever they wanted to the formula.

Does that mean the formula is bad? Probably not, but why chance it? People should just use the proper fluid Ford recommends and they'll be golden.

Who is Steward?



Stewart

 

Thanks gentlemen, I appreciate all of the information. I believe I have Chevron Mercon V in my transmission right now, I have to verify that from receipts. I was concerned that I had put the wrong fluid in, but now it appears that I have not.

All responses are appreciated.

 

I just buy Mobile 1 ATF. It says on the back of the bottle that it works for ford.
I need to flush my powersteering fluid. I also need to change my manual transmission(5 speed) fluid. I like Mobile 1 synthetic products and my wallet starts to cry every time I pay for it but I know the product is rock solid.
Dwayne

 

So this brings up a question. If you originally had Mercon and you want to top off or do a partial fluid change can/should you mix in the Mercon V?

 

Cool. This thread is filling up with alot of the people whom I really respect and whom I have listed as "contacts" on my CP so I can be notified when you guys post.

Please understand that I have no pride of authorship. When I write something on this forum I will usually state my conclusions and explain how and why I came to them.* We all know that my knowledge and experience are limited, so I really appreciate it when you guys correct me when I am wrong.

BTW, Napa also sells Mercon V under its own brand. I actually returned a case of it and bought the Napa brand Mercon after reading my manual and talking to the counter person. And just so everyone knows, I have had no problems whatsoever running the Napa Mercon in my stock 4R100 which apparently Danskool also runs.

So that begs the question: Is it OK to run Mercon in our transmissions and wherever else it is called for in our vehicles? Or should we evacuate it and replace with Mercon V? (Including draining the torque converter (which is the HPOP of the trans world.) [Mine has the threaded plug and yes I know you have to replace the plug with a new one from Ford with the red locktite on it so that it doesn't spin out and drain, ruining the tranny.]

The reason I ask that is because the TSB states that you can use Mercon. I know we could interpret the TSB to mean "you can use Mercon until we use up all of our inventory" but that is not actually what the TSB says. What the TSB actually says is:

"ACTION:
Beginning immediately all automatic transmission / transaxle applications requiring MERCON® can now be serviced using MERCON® V or MERCON® Automatic Transmission Fluid or dual usage fluids labeled MERCON® / MERCON® V. After July 1, 2007, MERCON® 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 MERCON® with MERCON® V or MERCON® Automatic Transmission Fluid or dual usage fluids labeled MERCON® / MERCON® V . . ."

So here is the deal. I don't know anything about transmissions or their fluids or their different lubricating properties. So, my knowledge is only from what I read. Which is a poor substitute for actual knowledge of the physical properties of the thing being discussed. And what I read is that Mercon can still be used as stated in the underlined part of the TSB's Action and Service Procedure set forth above. Finally, would Napa's private brand suppliers really go to the effort of changing their formula for Mercon now that Ford is no longer monitoring them, if Ford ever did monitor them? (I haven't checked but doesn't the Napa Mercon meet the same SAE std which was on the label prior to Ford discontinuing its Motorcraft brand of Mercon?) Stewart, I agree, I hate it when I have to speculate. That's why I come here for information. So, if you guys who have knowledge of oil or who have experience trying both Mercon and Mercon V (and even Synthetic Mercon V) in the stock 4R100 could disabuse me of my speculations, that would be great!

To round out the discussion. Could you guys also address the whole Synthetic Mercon V issue?

I have heard that Synthetic Mercon V is not to be used where regular Mercon or non-synthetic Mercon V is specified. Is this true?

Thanks guys,

Tim

Hint to Ford: In your TSB's how 'bout saying why you are issuing the new TSB. E.G. "We reformulated Mercon V to make it backwards compatible with Mercon. So you can now ignore what we told you in the manual we gave you when we sold you your vehicle..."

Second Hint to Ford: Why couldn't you found time to issue a TSB stating that you were wrong to paint the inside of the metal diesel fuel tanks on the E350's, cutaways, F450's and F550's and warning your customers to check them because many have experienced a delamination of the paint after 10 or so years resulting in clogging of the mixing screens causing fuel starvation to the injectors with resulting engine damage?

 

Hey guys, I didn't mean to offend anyone. Should I add the monicker "Thread killer" near my name and avatar? (Hmm...how do I set up a poll on that?)