Transmission Flush
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 189
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From: Minnesota
Originally Posted by solidpwder
Well if they put the wrong fluid in and the tranny fails wouldn't they be responsible? They should know what there doing. Why would synthetic oil be bad? It out proforms other oils. I was tought synthetic oil is the best. I run AmsOil 5W-20 in my F-150 and the escape ( it cost about $45 each oil change) and I haven't had any problem with it.
The dealer service department should know what they're doing, but there is a great deal of confusion due to the mislabeled dipsticks. Automatic transmissions are sensitive to the friction and flow characteristics of the fluid that they were calibrated to operate with. The wrong fluid characteristics can cause slippage and premature clutch failure. On my '01, both the dipstick and my owners manual specify Mercon. The manual also specifically states NOT Mercon V.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 189
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From: Minnesota
Bingo! My owners manual says Mercon, Ford P/N XT-2-QDX. The footnote says, among other things, that "Mercon and Mercon V are not interchangable" and "DO NOT mix Mercon and Mercon V." It's on page 251 of the '01 owners manual.
Also, if your dipstick says Mercon V, there is supposed to be a service bulletin instructing the dealer to grind off the V.
Also, if your dipstick says Mercon V, there is supposed to be a service bulletin instructing the dealer to grind off the V.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 107
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From: Southern California.. Nea
solidpwder.. Be sure to tell us what happened at the dealer.. I am sure your Amsoil synthetic is great for your engine, but the clutches in the Escape torque converter are set up for regular old fashioned Mercon.. I agree that synthetic is better in most applications but the CD4E trannie in the Escape is a earlys 90s design with some electronic upgrading for the shift points..We await an improved transmission from Ford...
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Southern California.. Nea
I suspect that is good old Dextron3/Mercon.. as we advised that should be used. As you can see they did not use the synthetic Mercon5... good for them.. you should have a smooth happy transmission..
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
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From: fort smith, ar
I think that changing the tranny fluid is almost as easy as changing the engine oil on an Escape. I have an '01 Escape. To DIY, I removed the plastic shroud around the drivers side front wheel to get access to the radiator's return ATF cooler line to the transmission. Then I drained about 4 quarts from the transmission by removing the drain plug. Retightened the plug, and added back 4 quarts of fresh Motorcraft Mercon ATF. Then I disconnected and pulled the rubber hose off the return line to the transmission by the front wheel. Had my son start the engine and squirted about 2 quarts of old ATF into a clean jug. Added 2 quarts fresh fluid to the tranny. Then repeated the drain 2 quarts/refill 2 quarts cycle until I ended up using a total of 12 quarts of fresh ATF. Hardest part was removing and reattaching the wheel well plastic shroud. Cost? About $30 for the case of Mercon ATF that I bought at the Ford dealer. Since I measured the old fluid in a clear milk jug, I ended up adding back the exact same amount new fluid as old fluid that came out. 
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 111
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From: Jackson
Could that be done on a truck with a removeabl pan and filter? just measure the fluid that came out on the pan and then do what you did on the radiator reture line?
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Senior User
Joined: May 2002
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From: fort smith, ar
Man, I'd think so, but it would depend on your make and transmission. You might want to check the FTE Tech Articles link in the upper right hand corner of this page. There is a pretty good "how to" article on transmission flushes. Look for: 07/06/2002 - Changing ATF Fluid in a E4OD and 4R100 Transmission - By Mark Kovalsky.
You may also want to read this Popular Mechanics article. It's fairly generic and uses the basic approach I described.
http://popularmechanics.com/automoti...mission_fluid/
Without a transmission pan drain bolt, I'd be certain you have a large enough container to catch all the old fluid as I suspect it is very easy to spill ATF prying open a corner of the pan.
You may also want to read this Popular Mechanics article. It's fairly generic and uses the basic approach I described.
http://popularmechanics.com/automoti...mission_fluid/
Without a transmission pan drain bolt, I'd be certain you have a large enough container to catch all the old fluid as I suspect it is very easy to spill ATF prying open a corner of the pan.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 736
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From: Texas, USA
A flush is a good insurance value against failure in severe duty use as defined by the owner's manual. Use Mercon and only Mercon. No additives. Most Ford vehicles for some time now ... at least 8-10 years I think... have been designed with long life, cleanable, reuseable filters. They don't have to be changed every flush.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 29
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From: Midwest
I'm of the understanding conventional MERCON, or synthetic MERCON may be used in the Escape. Motorcraft sells both.
MERCON V is a totally different formulation (not to be used in our Escapes), and I don't believe is provided by Motorcraft in a synthetic.
MERCON V is a totally different formulation (not to be used in our Escapes), and I don't believe is provided by Motorcraft in a synthetic.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 464
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From: Texas
I believe Mercon V is a synthetic or possibly a semi-blend. I personally have stuck to plain Mercon/Dextron III due to the issues and not wanting to throw another variable into the mix. I'd be cautious of a plain Mercon synthetic blend unless you can find a TSB that states otherwise. Don't rely upon what a dealership might tell you unless they have a TSB in their hand. I've seen plenty of dealerships put Mercon V in the Escapes even though Ford has a TSB that states otherwise.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 29
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From: Midwest
All, this may seem like a dumb question, but do all Escapes w/auto (I have a 05 Escape Limited), use the CD4E tranny (I am reading much about)? 
This is my first 'auto transaxle' vehicle, and as I look at the Ford (generic) Scheduled Maintenence Guide, it mentions the following trannys for 30K, or 60K fluid changes based on normal or severe service: Torqshift, 4R100, 4F50N, 4F27E.
The Service Guide states 'all others' as a fluid level check only every 30K.
Thanx
05 Escape Limited
02 Mustang GT
97 F150 Off Road XLT
97 Probe
95 Probe GT
This is my first 'auto transaxle' vehicle, and as I look at the Ford (generic) Scheduled Maintenence Guide, it mentions the following trannys for 30K, or 60K fluid changes based on normal or severe service: Torqshift, 4R100, 4F50N, 4F27E.
The Service Guide states 'all others' as a fluid level check only every 30K.
Thanx
05 Escape Limited
02 Mustang GT
97 F150 Off Road XLT
97 Probe
95 Probe GT
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15
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Originally Posted by solidpwder
Ya why is that why don't manufactures put drain plug on tran. pans for easy removel?
If you remove it with a 3/8" socket, it will drain 3.8 qts. Refill this with 3.8 qts of Mercon, run through gears and drain/fill 3.8 qts again, most of the trans fluid will be replaced. Some of the guys do this frequently, like every 15,000miles.
Again use Mercon/Dextron3 and NOT Mercon V
~Bilbo