ATF recommendations
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,013
Likes: 6
From: Cajun Country
Well, before I went to MerconV 30k miles ago, I was having a slight shudder problem. I took it to 2 trans shops and one said it was the converter; the other said to upgrade to MerconV. I called several Ford dealers and they said to do the MerconV upgrade too. Well,ever since then ive had no problems. So,thats why I say go to MerconV; and i'm sticking with that opinion! 
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Shudder is caused by a complex interaction of static and dynamic clutch friction and torque. The fluid change to Mercon V may only have replaced fluid that aged prematurely and had a friction deficiency. Changing to Mercon again might have done the same thing. I recently flushed my transmission fluid with Mercon over Mercon and the shudder went away.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,013
Likes: 6
From: Cajun Country
Man,it sure seems like ya'll got something against MerconV! If the stuff is not good,then why did Ford make it in the first place? Like I said before, my trans has been running better with it then regular Mercon! Yeah,my initial flush was with regular ole Mercon. 5k miles later it was removed and AAMCO synthetic blend MerconV was installed and has been 2 more times after that! And,will continue to be MerconV! 
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
I don't think anyone is against Mercon V. Ford clearly states that Mercon V should not be used in some early transmissions. However, your use of AAMCO synthetic blend means that you purchased an aftermarket fluid that could meet BOTH Mercon and Mercon V requirements. So, you solved the shudder problem and won't experience other problems.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,417
Likes: 3
From: Durham, NC
Originally posted by BlueOvalFitter
Man,it sure seems like ya'll got something against MerconV! If the stuff is not good,then why did Ford make it in the first place? Like I said before, my trans has been running better with it then regular Mercon! Yeah,my initial flush was with regular ole Mercon. 5k miles later it was removed and AAMCO synthetic blend MerconV was installed and has been 2 more times after that! And,will continue to be MerconV!
Man,it sure seems like ya'll got something against MerconV! If the stuff is not good,then why did Ford make it in the first place? Like I said before, my trans has been running better with it then regular Mercon! Yeah,my initial flush was with regular ole Mercon. 5k miles later it was removed and AAMCO synthetic blend MerconV was installed and has been 2 more times after that! And,will continue to be MerconV!
shutter going into OD, which had Mercon 5. When I flushed it with new Mercon 5, and changed the filter, the shutter went away also. I agree with Chipster, if you had replaced your ATF with Mercon, your shutter would have probably gone away also....
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, Oklahoma
My transmission is shuddering, and yesterday,as my alternator was going out, it started slipping too.
The fluid level is way too high (previous owners) on the stick when cold.
Too much fluid? It doesn't smell burnt, nice and pink.
Mercon is what the stick says. '97 F150 Supercab 4.6 127K.
Everything is going wrong at once, good old
Ford.
Last edited by FourthFordTruck; Mar 17, 2004 at 11:20 AM.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 967
Likes: 0
From: DC
To check the trans fluid, it should be warm and running in park. I would get the electrical problem squared away first, I've seen a bad electrical system (battery) cause tranny symptoms.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, Oklahoma
I hope your right about the electrical problem
being the possible culprit.
I thought the fluid expanded when warm.
Wouldn't that make it register even higher?
I'll try it, when I get the thing back up and running.
Trying to get that frozen alternator bolt off.
Will have to wait 'til I get home tonight
before I can even try. Hope it's not too stripped.
Thanks for the air tool socket suggestion in the other thread. Hopefully, that will help. I am in a serious state
of disgust and discouragement with this truck.
It's one thing right on top of the next, what a complete
piece of junk. Sorry guys, I may be going back to Toyota
after five ford trucks in a row. Tired of being a glutton for punishment. If my transmission goes out next, wouldn't it be great if the engine finally tanked too? Then I could pay
as much fixing it as I still owe on it.
being the possible culprit.
I thought the fluid expanded when warm.
Wouldn't that make it register even higher?
I'll try it, when I get the thing back up and running.
Trying to get that frozen alternator bolt off.
Will have to wait 'til I get home tonight
before I can even try. Hope it's not too stripped.
Thanks for the air tool socket suggestion in the other thread. Hopefully, that will help. I am in a serious state
of disgust and discouragement with this truck.
It's one thing right on top of the next, what a complete
piece of junk. Sorry guys, I may be going back to Toyota
after five ford trucks in a row. Tired of being a glutton for punishment. If my transmission goes out next, wouldn't it be great if the engine finally tanked too? Then I could pay
as much fixing it as I still owe on it.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, Oklahoma
I've seen the back and forth between
Techs, Experts and Elders. I appreciate what folks
are waying about Mercon V. The way I figure
at this point with mine, what could it hurt, right?
Should I drain the Mercon and replace it
with Mercon 5 and see how that does?
If I can deal with this alternator bolt tonight
(I got high impact airgun sockets today), I'll swap
the fluid this weekend. Do I drain the converter
and pan, then fill up 5 quarts or so, run engine and shift
gears, then more until it's full? Thanks BlueOval
Techs, Experts and Elders. I appreciate what folks
are waying about Mercon V. The way I figure
at this point with mine, what could it hurt, right?
Should I drain the Mercon and replace it
with Mercon 5 and see how that does?
If I can deal with this alternator bolt tonight
(I got high impact airgun sockets today), I'll swap
the fluid this weekend. Do I drain the converter
and pan, then fill up 5 quarts or so, run engine and shift
gears, then more until it's full? Thanks BlueOval
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,013
Likes: 6
From: Cajun Country
Yes,drain the converter.You will get 7-9 quarts from it and about 4-5 from the pan.Then do as you said,add 5 quarts,run it for about 15-20 seconds.Then add 6 more and run the gears,waiting a few seconds in each one.Check the fluid and you're done! 
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Just open up the drain bolts, no
foreplay or whathaveyou? Sounds like
a go! When I get done filling it, will it
read correctly if the fluid level is cold?
Someone suggested it needed to be warm
and running to get a correct reading. Is that
correct? Thanks again Blue Oval.
P.S. AAMCO synthetic blend MerconV, is
that also labeled a Dexron III rated fluid,
or strict Mercon V? Of course, there has
been discussion on that topic as well.
foreplay or whathaveyou? Sounds like
a go! When I get done filling it, will it
read correctly if the fluid level is cold?
Someone suggested it needed to be warm
and running to get a correct reading. Is that
correct? Thanks again Blue Oval.
P.S. AAMCO synthetic blend MerconV, is
that also labeled a Dexron III rated fluid,
or strict Mercon V? Of course, there has
been discussion on that topic as well.
Last edited by FourthFordTruck; Mar 17, 2004 at 04:52 PM.