This seems to have been discussed at length across the internet with no common consensus... Is Mercon V suitable fluid for a '96 E4OD? I have used Dex/Merc in it previously. The last pan drop and filter change was done by a transmission shop, so I'm not sure what they used. It is time to service it again, and it seems folks online are resistant to Mercon V being used in E4's even though Ford seems to have back spec'd V.

Post up.

 

I would use what the manuals say. Dont have mine in front of me but thats what i would use.

 

Yes. Mercon V is the approved fluid. I'm sure someone here has the TSB referencing the switch.

 

You mean the manual that was printed BEFORE Ford even developed MERCON V? And before Ford discontinued MERCON? There is no longer ANY MERCON fluid available. Dex/Merc can be ANYTHING. There is no Dex/Merc spec.

MERCON V is the correct fluid for an E4OD. See my signature, below.

 

Yea, what he said ^^^

Red

 

How the hell did the "avoid mercon v" myth ever get started anyway? This is why I'd be afraid to let a shop change my fluid.

 

I was just simply saying what i do for mine. 200k on an e4od and still shifts great. I use a container that says dex/merc i think. Thats just me though. Works for me too.

 

Because it didn't use to be a myth.

When Ford introduced MERCON V it was NOT compatible with the E4OD.In 2006 Ford reformulated MERCON V to make it compatible, and discontinued MERCON. I really wish they had iven the reformulated fluid a new name, it would have prevented a lot of confusion.

I'm glad it works for you. Dex/Merc may be a fine fluid. My point is that since it isn't licensed it can contain ANYTHING. If you buy a fluid that is MERCON V it must meet the Ford specs for Ford to issue a license to say it is MERCON V.

 

Yeah,in fords attempt to make things easier.....they didn't lol.I suspect this will always be a question asked due to many brands still selling the old regular dex/merc fluid so there is still the option.If they all followed ford and didn't make it,then everyone would learn what replaced it (Mercon 5) and move on.I don't see that happening though.How many people are concerned about the old mercon spec no longer carrying a ford license to meet ford specs? Not too many who pick up the bottle and see it reading "meets ford mercon specs" or "for vehicles where mercon is called for" or the like.Just like their owners manual state.
How much do people need to worry that the old dex/mercon isn't what it used to be under ford license though? I dunno.How many people miss out on the benefits of the now superior fluid? Since it costs more,how many people care? lol.There are still people online who have researched and know that Mercon 5 exceeds the old spec but still proclaim dex/merc the better fluid for the e4od despite ford claiming the opposite.At the very least,most of those posts have dwindled away now but I don't see this question going anywhere anytime soon.

 

Good to know on both subjects. Mercon V it is then, thanks.

Off topic, would Mercon V be acceptable for a '94 Mustang T-5 transmission then? Again, it something I've always used Dex/Merc in.

 

Yes, it would be.

 

Mark, I found out a shop put in Mercon LV into my e40d (F53 motorhome chassis) and I put about 1,000 miles on it when moving to another state. It acted fine and temps were fine.
Should I drain it and put in Mercon V?
Could damage have occurred?
Would draining torque converter, line going to the rear, filter and pan be enough to get rid of the old stuff adequately?
Won’t pursue the shop 1,000 miles away unless you think this LV could have messed something up.

 

Yes, MERCON LV will destroy an E4OD. A couple of quarts probably won't destroy it, but if they changed the fluid to LV, you don't have long until the trans dies.

You can do as you described, or even better, do this: https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles...-transmission/

 

Hey, since we're at it, Mark, what do you think of using Mercon V on the transfer case that's mated to the E4OD? the Borg Warner 1356 specifically

 

I don't know transfer cases.