Trans cooler upgrade
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,704
Likes: 2,625
From: SE Florida
The 5R110W Torqshift has had a thermal control valve since it's debut in 2003. Pretty much every Ford automatic now has one.
I once burned up a C6 in northern Minnesota because the fluid got so cold it couldn't flow to everywhere that needed lubrication. A thermostat probably would have avoided that failure.
How cold is too cold? I was starting to work on an answer to that in my capacity as a transmission cooling engineer when I accepted a buyout in 2007. I didn't get much further than designing a test to determine that. But I left before it was approved.
I once burned up a C6 in northern Minnesota because the fluid got so cold it couldn't flow to everywhere that needed lubrication. A thermostat probably would have avoided that failure.
How cold is too cold? I was starting to work on an answer to that in my capacity as a transmission cooling engineer when I accepted a buyout in 2007. I didn't get much further than designing a test to determine that. But I left before it was approved.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 88
From: Thousand Oaks, CA
This is from an article on trucktransdiag.com - The Ford 5R110W transmission is a 5 speed computer controlled transmission with lock-up torque converter clutch. ... In "cold mode" (under 5 deg. F.) the unit shifts 1-2-3-4-6. In "hot mode" (over 5 deg. F.) the unit shifts 1-2-3-5-6 with torque converter clutch. ..... There is also a temperature controlled flow valve in the unit that allows cooler flow warm and not cold. If checking cooler flow make sure transmission is at operating temperatures.
So why didn't Ford have a thermal control valve in the C6?
The newer transmissions now run Mercon V which a "Synthetic Blend".
Does a synthetic blend flow better at low temps?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
Dino oil is made from the slower dinosaurs i.e. Plant eaters , whereas Synthetic oil is made from the faster meat eaters.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,704
Likes: 2,625
From: SE Florida
Because nobody had thought of it then. I really don't know the exact reason, I was a little kid when the C6 was designed.
The factory fill MERCON V is a synthetic blend. In parts stores you can get MERCON V that is conventional, blend, or full synthetic.
Not many current transmissions use MERCON V. It's been replaced in the newer transmissions by low viscosity fluids such as MERCON SP and MERCON LV.
Not many current transmissions use MERCON V. It's been replaced in the newer transmissions by low viscosity fluids such as MERCON SP and MERCON LV.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 88
From: Thousand Oaks, CA
Because nobody had thought of it then. ...
The factory fill MERCON V is a synthetic blend. In parts stores you can get MERCON V that is conventional, blend, or full synthetic.
Not many current transmissions use MERCON V. It's been replaced in the newer transmissions by low viscosity fluids such as MERCON SP and MERCON LV.
The factory fill MERCON V is a synthetic blend. In parts stores you can get MERCON V that is conventional, blend, or full synthetic.
Not many current transmissions use MERCON V. It's been replaced in the newer transmissions by low viscosity fluids such as MERCON SP and MERCON LV.
Interesting to know there are different types of Mercon V.
Any idea what viscosity the different fluids are?
I would think the newer low viscosity fluids would flow even better at low temps.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,704
Likes: 2,625
From: SE Florida
All MERCON V fluids will have the same viscosity, within the allowable range.
MERCON SP and MERCON LV are lower viscosity, but I don't know the numbers and I don't want to look them up. Be advised that if you use MERCON SP or MERCON LV in a transmission that requires MERCON V you will be replacing the transmission very soon.
MERCON SP and MERCON LV are lower viscosity, but I don't know the numbers and I don't want to look them up. Be advised that if you use MERCON SP or MERCON LV in a transmission that requires MERCON V you will be replacing the transmission very soon.
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