Changing out fluids questions?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Northern Indiana
Changing out fluids questions?
My dad just bought a 2001 F-250 Crew Cab V-10 w/ 72,000 miles. Anyways I told him it would be a good idea to change all fluids. So I was wondering because I have heard a few things strange about the Mercon V fluid. This is what I am thinking to do so we don't have any war story's:
Transfercase - Mercon/Dexron III (NOT Mercon V)
Front Diff - 75/90W
Rear Diff - 75/140W full syn w/additive
Transmission - Mercon V
Power Steering - Mercon/Dexron III
Brake Fluid - DOT 3
Sounds like a simple thing to figure out but it doesn't hurt to bounce it off the bright people here.
Transfercase - Mercon/Dexron III (NOT Mercon V)
Front Diff - 75/90W
Rear Diff - 75/140W full syn w/additive
Transmission - Mercon V
Power Steering - Mercon/Dexron III
Brake Fluid - DOT 3
Sounds like a simple thing to figure out but it doesn't hurt to bounce it off the bright people here.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
My dad just bought a F-250 w/ 72,000 miles. Anyways I told him it would be a good idea to change all fluids. So I was wondering because I have heard a few things strange about the Mercon V fluid. This is what I am thinking to do so we don't have any war story's:
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: Livermore Ca.
The only problem is how do you get rid of the old fluid. It would be simpler if you took it to Ford and had them do it. It would be more money for sure but you wouldn't have any problems down the road. I am a DYI guy myself but some jobs are best done by a shop with all the tools to do the job easy. Ford has machines that will completely remove all the fluids. I would however avoid a flush of the transmission. That may cause more problems than it fixes.
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Northern Indiana
The only problem is how do you get rid of the old fluid. It would be simpler if you took it to Ford and had them do it. It would be more money for sure but you wouldn't have any problems down the road. I am a DYI guy myself but some jobs are best done by a shop with all the tools to do the job easy. Ford has machines that will completely remove all the fluids. I would however avoid a flush of the transmission. That may cause more problems than it fixes.
Fleet Mechanic
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Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
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From: Northern Indiana
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: West of Chicago
I used mobil1 synthetic transmission fluid in my 00 excursion with 300,000 miles on it in the T-case and power steering with No issues
Last edited by Kdr358; Oct 16, 2016 at 02:41 PM. Reason: Misread
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Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Canyon Valley, Texas
I did not see what year? However you can do anything Ford can do. You can dispose of used fluid at oReilieys or Auto Zone. Some WalMarts too. Always a place. Do not forget rear Diff. Pull cover and use new gasket, use full synthetic whatever weight recommended. If you tow can use the heavier one. Transmission flush folks tell you not to worry about filter, wrong! Change the filter also and clean the magnet in the transmission pan. Sometimes magnet in rear Diff also. No reason not to change all fluids. Good luck!! Dave
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
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some years have an external XMSN oil filter near the lower front radiator area and some have an external mounted near the trans body area. The radiator one is in a small housing that I could only remove with a dewalt 300lb impact drill. I have bigger, but did not want to blow it up. the filter itself looks like a roll of toilet paper and mine looked like it was dipped in tar even though the fluid was clear.
use what ever fluids the book calls for and you will be well served with sticking with ford brand products.
some years need additivves in the rear gear box as well as the coolant system...and dont forget to change the coolant fluid.
when ever I do a complete fluid drain and refill on a newly bought used truck, I go into shock as to what I find...brace your self.
get magnetic xmsn and engine drain plugs
dont mess with your spark plugs unless the engine does not start....some years are very problematic for thread stripping out and you will need special tools, special proceedures, and sing secret chants to the gods to change those plugs out.
make some common sense decisions on oil weight. some years have oil fill caps thaat say 5W30 and other years have caps that say 5W20. it depends what EPA or other oversight agency was being impressed. That V-10 in large gas generators uses 10W30 .
use what ever fluids the book calls for and you will be well served with sticking with ford brand products.
some years need additivves in the rear gear box as well as the coolant system...and dont forget to change the coolant fluid.
when ever I do a complete fluid drain and refill on a newly bought used truck, I go into shock as to what I find...brace your self.
get magnetic xmsn and engine drain plugs
dont mess with your spark plugs unless the engine does not start....some years are very problematic for thread stripping out and you will need special tools, special proceedures, and sing secret chants to the gods to change those plugs out.
make some common sense decisions on oil weight. some years have oil fill caps thaat say 5W30 and other years have caps that say 5W20. it depends what EPA or other oversight agency was being impressed. That V-10 in large gas generators uses 10W30 .
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Florida
That started with the 2003 5R110. This is a 2001, but that info was added later so you may not have seen it.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,554
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From: Mesick
Those look good to me. I don't know enough about the other fluids to comment.
If the trans is working fine there is NO upper mileage limit as to when to change it. That's the same as not changing engine oil because the engine has too many miles.
That started with the 2003 5R110. This is a 2001, but that info was added later so you may not have seen it.
If the trans is working fine there is NO upper mileage limit as to when to change it. That's the same as not changing engine oil because the engine has too many miles.
That started with the 2003 5R110. This is a 2001, but that info was added later so you may not have seen it.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,739
Likes: 2,669
From: SE Florida
According to your owner's manual, use MERCON. But since MERCON was replaced by MERCON V, use MERCON V. I expect MERCON LV would destroy your pump, but I'm guessing, I never tested that.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Mesick
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,739
Likes: 2,669
From: SE Florida