4R100 Fluid Recommendation
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Somewhere west of Arizona
4R100 Fluid Recommendation
I’ve passed 50K miles and I’m planning my 4R100's first fluid change this week. Most driving is unloaded city/highway mix but I occasionally tow nearly 14,000 pounds. I’ve got Mark Kovalsky’s instructions and I need a recommendation for fluid. I know that Mercon ATF (not Mercon V) is the recommended replacement fluid but what benefits, if any, would I gain by using an alternative fluid like B&M Trick Shift, Trick Shift Synthetic, Red Line, or others? If Mercon is the choice, is there any particular brand I should chose or avoid?
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From: Allen, Tx
V10, hell wong witchu? An automatic! You know what Wilford Brimley for Liberty Medical would say?
If you've got an automatic, change the fluid, and change it often. There's no reason not to. Call Liberty Medical, it may cost you nothing at all.
I change the fluid per Wilford's recommendation. Every 36K. (I used to on my old 1994 e4od anyway.) I had Ford do a little backflush so they used Ford fluid. Never had any problems, I traded it in at 100K, and it still shifted like new. Now, I put Mobil 1 synthetic ATF in my 6-speed and it shifts a lot smoother and faster. I think I'll try one of those Sonnax valves in it someday.
So far 3 people responded to your post, none of them drive an automatic. What's wrong with this picture?
If you've got an automatic, change the fluid, and change it often. There's no reason not to. Call Liberty Medical, it may cost you nothing at all.
I change the fluid per Wilford's recommendation. Every 36K. (I used to on my old 1994 e4od anyway.) I had Ford do a little backflush so they used Ford fluid. Never had any problems, I traded it in at 100K, and it still shifted like new. Now, I put Mobil 1 synthetic ATF in my 6-speed and it shifts a lot smoother and faster. I think I'll try one of those Sonnax valves in it someday.
So far 3 people responded to your post, none of them drive an automatic. What's wrong with this picture?
Last edited by n578md; Mar 8, 2004 at 09:12 AM.
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From: OK
Use the "type" of fluid (Mercon or Mercon V) printed on the dipstick handle.
As for brand (or synthetic), choose whatever makes you feel the best. I prefer those that I can buy "off the shelf" at almost any store in the country. Synthetics are nice, but regular changes are what will make your tranny last.
As for brand (or synthetic), choose whatever makes you feel the best. I prefer those that I can buy "off the shelf" at almost any store in the country. Synthetics are nice, but regular changes are what will make your tranny last.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Mason, Ohio
Just did mine over the weekend. Ford parts guy sold me the Motorcraft Mercon for $1.80 per quart and a filter for $20.00. For under $60.00 and a few hours under the truck, I know it's done right and no question in my mind about "did the brand I chose cause a problem?". I let it drain for about 4 hours and got 4 gallons of fluid. Mark's method prbably works fine to get the last quart and I know he designed the tranny and all. Just still goes against my grain to pump the fluid out using the tranny pump. I don't crank my motor over to get every drop of motor oil out either though (Some actually do). I think Nomo is right. The key is changing the fluid per Fords specified intervals. I too waited too long for my first change. That won't happen again. It was too cheap and easy to do to tempt losing my tranny over.
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From: SC, USA!
I am not too crazy about the idea of pumping the tranny fluid out either. Which connection did you open to allow the fluid to drain on its own?
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From: Mason, Ohio
I opened the drain plug on both the torque converter and the pan and slid 2 five gallon buckets under there. I got nearly 3 gallons that way. When I took the pan off and removed the filter, a couple more quarts drained pretty quickly. Then I just let it sit for about 4 hours dripping into the buckets and got about 4 gallons total (I poured it into an old plastic gas can that I use to take my waste oil to be recycled). I had an old piece of plywood under the buckets to catch stray drips. It wasn't nearly as messy as I feared. I just took my time. Spent a little quality time with my 12 year old son under the truck. While it drained I cleaned the pan, gasket and magnet with a bunch of paper towels, poured a little Mercon in the new filter just to wet it and wetted the O ring on the new filter too. It was a good day, accomplished a task I had needlessly dreaded and had a good time with my son too.
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From: Ventura County, CA
Originally posted by Keith Smith
Just did mine over the weekend. Ford parts guy sold me the Motorcraft Mercon for $1.80 per quart and a filter for $20.00. For under $60.00 and a few hours under the truck, I know it's done right and no question in my mind about "did the brand I chose cause a problem?". I let it drain for about 4 hours and got 4 gallons of fluid. Mark's method prbably works fine to get the last quart and I know he designed the tranny and all. Just still goes against my grain to pump the fluid out using the tranny pump. I don't crank my motor over to get every drop of motor oil out either though (Some actually do). I think Nomo is right. The key is changing the fluid per Fords specified intervals. I too waited too long for my first change. That won't happen again. It was too cheap and easy to do to tempt losing my tranny over.
Just did mine over the weekend. Ford parts guy sold me the Motorcraft Mercon for $1.80 per quart and a filter for $20.00. For under $60.00 and a few hours under the truck, I know it's done right and no question in my mind about "did the brand I chose cause a problem?". I let it drain for about 4 hours and got 4 gallons of fluid. Mark's method prbably works fine to get the last quart and I know he designed the tranny and all. Just still goes against my grain to pump the fluid out using the tranny pump. I don't crank my motor over to get every drop of motor oil out either though (Some actually do). I think Nomo is right. The key is changing the fluid per Fords specified intervals. I too waited too long for my first change. That won't happen again. It was too cheap and easy to do to tempt losing my tranny over.
