Another subject for you Mark:

We all remember Type F, and dexrons and various Mercons, including the expensive Mercon SP required in my van.

1.SPECIFICALLY what is the difference in the fluids?

2.WHY are they so different? (When auto trans are such similar machines)

3. Does FORD create/invent their fluid mixtures?

4. Why is Mercon SP so expensive? ($8/qt)

5. Specifically what would happen if I drained my TorqShift 5speed and refilled with Mercon V? And then drive it around like normal.

6. I've heard that ATF has red/pink coloring added. Is that true? If so, what color is the fluid without the dye?

7. I've heard that ATF has high amounts of detergent. Is that true? If so, why?

8. I'll probably think of more questions later.

 

I don't have the answers. I only know a little of that.
MERCON is the first of what I'd call the modern fluids. It is a far more advanced fluid than Type F, which had very little in the way of additives. It was not a lot more than oil.

MERCON has friction modifiers, which changes how slippery the fluid is. It was developed to improve shift quality (from what I've heard, it was developed before I worked on automatics.)
MERCON V was developed specifically to eliminate a clutch shudder issue that was found in the very early 90's. It has additives that help prevent a condition that leads to shudder.
As I understand it MERCON SP was developed for the 5R110W as a low viscosity fluid. This helps reduces the torque losses in the transmission, but the fluid also has other properties that are required for the solenoids to live. One change that I know if is that part of the anti-shudder additive found in MERCON V is actually tiny solids. They are small enough that you can't see them, but they are large enough that they can get stuck in the extremely small clearances inside the 5R110W solenoids.

Auto transmissions are only similar on the outside. Once you get inside they can be EXTREMELY different. For example, the 4R100, 5R110W, and 6R140 were all used in the Superduty.

The 4R100 shifted by on-off solenoids that switch valves in the valve body. The 5R110W and 6R140 both use solenoids that directly feed the clutches. No valves at all. The requirements for fluids in these will be dramatically different.

Yes, while working with fluid suppliers.

I can only guess. I think it is a full synthetic, and there are not many transmissions that use this fluid, so it isn't produced in great quantities.

I would expect that the solenoids would start to get sticky and you'd have unpredictable shifting.

It is true. I've never seen ATF without the coloring, but I'd expect it to look just like motor oil.

When we were developing MERCON V we had to keep it separate in the engineering garage. Our "prototype" MERCON V was dyed blue.

I've heard that, too. I don't know if it is true or not.

I'll probably have more answers later.

 

 

I love this ^ guy Kovalsky ....




Wish I had more questions about auto trans to ask...

 

Myself, I dont feel 8 bucks a quart is expensive for trans fluid considering a new tranny is about 2000 or more. I have used Mobil One Synthetic since 30k miles, now have 128k, tranny looks new inside, always get an OEM Motorcraft filter and new gasket, even though it says on the pan that the gasket is reusable....hey why take a chance on leaks with 10 bucks a quart fluid? BTW, my trans is a 4R100 so check to see that if you use synthetic, that it will meet the specified type for your tranny.