Wrong Tranny Fluid
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From: Florida
Wrong Tranny Fluid
Well, I had the local Ford dealer flush my 4R100 trans, assuming that they knew what they were doing. When I got home I noticed on the receipt "Mercon V". The correct fluid for this transmission is Mercon as I was first alerted on this fourm. I called them and they insisted that they have been using MerconV in all transmissions for the last 3 years without incident. I found this Ford TSB searching online TSB 2001-15-7 and took this along with my manual back to the dealer. They then called Ford and found out that they have been doing it wrong for 3 years!! How many trusting people did they screw by being idiots?!!! Anyway dealer reflushed my trans with the correct fluid and everything is A OK! Thank you forum members!!!
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Florida
Mercon V should not hurt a transmission requiring Mercon. There is some confusion since they are not reverse compatible (i.e. don't put Mercon in a tranny requiring Mercon V). The facts concerning this are stated in this thread:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=185189
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=185189
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From: Florida
Mercon V is NOT backwards compatible for the 4R100 trans. Some transmissions, like the 4R70W can use both and did come with the Mercon in the early models. However, the Ford TSB, Ford fluids manual and Ford Technical say it is a big no-no for the 4R100 (E4OD). If Mercon V is backwards compatible, why would Ford still make the Mercon?
Last edited by Eric Mowrer; Jan 20, 2004 at 04:30 PM.
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From: Florida
Eric,
Not trying to start an argument. Just not looking at the same set of facts. Can you post the TSB? I personally am using a full synthetic Mercon/Mercon V tranny fluid right now with no problems. I know of transmission shops that only use Mercon V, not Mercon anymore. You can also read posts supporting this on the Transmission forum here.
Can anyone else verify that there is are 4r100 components that would be damaged by Mercon V?
The companies that make ATF don't specify 4r70w or 4r100. But all their Mercon V fluids meet or exceed Mercon requirements.
http://www.havoline.com/products/na/trans_mv.html
http://www.amsoil.com/faqs/faq4.htm
http://www.synerlec.com/techa/tranxref.html
Not trying to start an argument. Just not looking at the same set of facts. Can you post the TSB? I personally am using a full synthetic Mercon/Mercon V tranny fluid right now with no problems. I know of transmission shops that only use Mercon V, not Mercon anymore. You can also read posts supporting this on the Transmission forum here.
Can anyone else verify that there is are 4r100 components that would be damaged by Mercon V?
The companies that make ATF don't specify 4r70w or 4r100. But all their Mercon V fluids meet or exceed Mercon requirements.
http://www.havoline.com/products/na/trans_mv.html
http://www.amsoil.com/faqs/faq4.htm
http://www.synerlec.com/techa/tranxref.html
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 116
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From: St. Cloud, FL
Eric, my local dealer here in St. Cloud told me the same thing.....Of course they DO NOT touch my vehicle....If ya don't mind, where is your dealer located.....Cause the story I heard was identical. Wonder if it is the same place?
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From: Florida
Here is the TSB that I linked in my first post:
http://www.ofoc.ca/garage/TSB%2001-15-7.pdf
I live near Winter Haven and 3 of the 4 dealers here stated that they use Mercon V in all transmissions. Only the large volume dealer, Bartow Ford, knew of the difference.
From what I understand, the new transmissions like the 4R70W have harder clutch plates and thus require a fluid with a different coefficient of friction.
The Ford fluid manual at the dealer stated:
1998-2002
E4OD, 4R100, & Escape .......MA
Others...............................MA5
The transmission specialist at Ford that my dealer called made it very clear that Mercon V was NOT to be used in the 4R100 trans.
http://www.ofoc.ca/garage/TSB%2001-15-7.pdf
I live near Winter Haven and 3 of the 4 dealers here stated that they use Mercon V in all transmissions. Only the large volume dealer, Bartow Ford, knew of the difference.
From what I understand, the new transmissions like the 4R70W have harder clutch plates and thus require a fluid with a different coefficient of friction.
The Ford fluid manual at the dealer stated:
1998-2002
E4OD, 4R100, & Escape .......MA
Others...............................MA5
The transmission specialist at Ford that my dealer called made it very clear that Mercon V was NOT to be used in the 4R100 trans.
Last edited by Eric Mowrer; Jan 20, 2004 at 10:38 PM.
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From: Florida
Eric,
This is good information. I live close to you, in Orlando. I am half tempted to have one those dealerships fill me up with Mercon V for the free tranny warranty (see links to other posts). I agree only the recommended fluid should be used and you (and others) were right to bring up this dealer oversight.
Its hard to believe that Mercon V will actually damage a 4r100. Just look at the amount of 4r100 trannies filled with it at dealers that have posted here. One of the threads did mention a replacement needed (maybe) on a 4r100 that had been filled with Mercon V. But, its hard to say the fluid was to blame.
This is good information. I live close to you, in Orlando. I am half tempted to have one those dealerships fill me up with Mercon V for the free tranny warranty (see links to other posts). I agree only the recommended fluid should be used and you (and others) were right to bring up this dealer oversight.
Its hard to believe that Mercon V will actually damage a 4r100. Just look at the amount of 4r100 trannies filled with it at dealers that have posted here. One of the threads did mention a replacement needed (maybe) on a 4r100 that had been filled with Mercon V. But, its hard to say the fluid was to blame.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Long Island, NY
Originally posted by pounder90
Eric,
This is good information. I live close to you, in Orlando. I am half tempted to have one those dealerships fill me up with Mercon V for the free tranny warranty (see links to other posts). I agree only the recommended fluid should be used and you (and others) were right to bring up this dealer oversight.
Its hard to believe that Mercon V will actually damage a 4r100. Just look at the amount of 4r100 trannies filled with it at dealers that have posted here. One of the threads did mention a replacement needed (maybe) on a 4r100 that had been filled with Mercon V. But, its hard to say the fluid was to blame.
Eric,
This is good information. I live close to you, in Orlando. I am half tempted to have one those dealerships fill me up with Mercon V for the free tranny warranty (see links to other posts). I agree only the recommended fluid should be used and you (and others) were right to bring up this dealer oversight.
Its hard to believe that Mercon V will actually damage a 4r100. Just look at the amount of 4r100 trannies filled with it at dealers that have posted here. One of the threads did mention a replacement needed (maybe) on a 4r100 that had been filled with Mercon V. But, its hard to say the fluid was to blame.
What more do you want??? If you choose to use Mercon V, then use it. If your tranny goes, please post on here so we can all say "Told ya so".
BigMan69
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 268
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From: Florida
BigMan69-
I feel silly justifying this with a response, but:
"As Eric wrote in his last post, "The transmission specialist at Ford that my dealer called made it very clear that Mercon V was NOT to be used in the 4R100 trans."
What more do you want??? If you choose to use Mercon V, then use it. If your tranny goes, please post on here so we can all say "Told ya so"."
What else is Ford going to say? The fact is that its dealerships are using Mercon V in the 4r100. Look at Eric's post, 3 out of 4 dealerships in his area. Have they ruined thousands of people's trannys?
I don't use Mercon V, I am using full synthetic. It meets Mercon requirements. If you want to tell me "told ya so" thats fine. That that would kind of suck on a forum set up to help people and share information.
I feel silly justifying this with a response, but:
"As Eric wrote in his last post, "The transmission specialist at Ford that my dealer called made it very clear that Mercon V was NOT to be used in the 4R100 trans."
What more do you want??? If you choose to use Mercon V, then use it. If your tranny goes, please post on here so we can all say "Told ya so"."
What else is Ford going to say? The fact is that its dealerships are using Mercon V in the 4r100. Look at Eric's post, 3 out of 4 dealerships in his area. Have they ruined thousands of people's trannys?
I don't use Mercon V, I am using full synthetic. It meets Mercon requirements. If you want to tell me "told ya so" thats fine. That that would kind of suck on a forum set up to help people and share information.
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From: Florida
Ok guys, don't make me take the both of you out behind the woodshed! But with names like Pounder and BigMan....maybe I'll just step back and enjoy the action!
Nevertheless, I doubt that the Mercon V would cause an immediate failure of the trans. Maybe it would take 10K off of the expected life, but there is no way to know. But I do know what the engineers that designed the 4R100 recommend and that is what I am sticking with. Being an engineer myself, I can appreciate their expertise and go with their specs.
Anyway, maybe it was my imagination, but the trans shifts smoother now that it did with the Mercon V. And I can sleep better at night knowing that the correct fluid is in there.
Nevertheless, I doubt that the Mercon V would cause an immediate failure of the trans. Maybe it would take 10K off of the expected life, but there is no way to know. But I do know what the engineers that designed the 4R100 recommend and that is what I am sticking with. Being an engineer myself, I can appreciate their expertise and go with their specs.
Anyway, maybe it was my imagination, but the trans shifts smoother now that it did with the Mercon V. And I can sleep better at night knowing that the correct fluid is in there.
Senior User
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Posts: 268
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From: Florida
Eric,
I agree with everything that you have posted. Like I said earlier, not trying to start an argument. I personally don't think that Mercon V will hurt the 4r100. I also wouldn't put it in my tranny on purpose. But the dealers and transmission shops are using it in the 4r100 regularly. I am also an engineer, and know that the best policy is CYA. Ford has their best interest in mind.
Jettfuel-
http://www.havoline.com/products/na/trans_mv.html
http://www.amsoil.com/faqs/faq4.htm
http://www.synerlec.com/techa/tranxref.html
All full synthetic Mercon and Mercon V approved.
Another one is Redline which is full sythetic and only Mercon approved and could be the best. After reading this thread, I don't know why you would consider using anything other than straight Mercon ATF in a 4r100.
"Ok guys, don't make me take the both of you out behind the woodshed! But with names like Pounder and BigMan....maybe I'll just step back and enjoy the action!"
Like I stated earlier, I'm an engineer and my last name is Pound, thus Pounder. So I'm thinking there wouldn't be much action to enjoy.
I agree with everything that you have posted. Like I said earlier, not trying to start an argument. I personally don't think that Mercon V will hurt the 4r100. I also wouldn't put it in my tranny on purpose. But the dealers and transmission shops are using it in the 4r100 regularly. I am also an engineer, and know that the best policy is CYA. Ford has their best interest in mind.
Jettfuel-
http://www.havoline.com/products/na/trans_mv.html
http://www.amsoil.com/faqs/faq4.htm
http://www.synerlec.com/techa/tranxref.html
All full synthetic Mercon and Mercon V approved.
Another one is Redline which is full sythetic and only Mercon approved and could be the best. After reading this thread, I don't know why you would consider using anything other than straight Mercon ATF in a 4r100.
"Ok guys, don't make me take the both of you out behind the woodshed! But with names like Pounder and BigMan....maybe I'll just step back and enjoy the action!"
Like I stated earlier, I'm an engineer and my last name is Pound, thus Pounder. So I'm thinking there wouldn't be much action to enjoy.
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