It's time to change the tranny fluid in my '97 PSD. The origanal crapped out at 18,000 miles and it's at 52,000 now so should be changed. The manual says to use Mercon. I see in the stores Mercon, 111, 1V, V etc. Is it acceptable for my '97. Is the numbers like the motor oil designations of G, H, I etc. I have been a Castrol motor oil user for years and was wondering if Castrol V was ok in the straight Mercon transmission. I understand Ford trannies are a bit weak and don't want to upset it................. Thanks...
PS. Does anyone know if Ford replaced the failing '97 transmissions with an upgrade or do I have the same weak tranny?? I was told by the origanal buyer that they didn't rebuild it but put in a new one...Thanks again..

 

What trans do you have? I am going to assume you have the same one I do, the E4OD or something like that. Mine has 50k on it right now, and still going strong. Key with these beasts is maintanance. If you have the factory trans oil cooler, scrap it and get a bigger one, next put in the B&M transpak, or the springs that you will find referenced on other posts here, I have the shift kit, and love it. Takes the wandering out. Mine was just out having the front seal replaced. If you ever notice even a slight drip, have it replaced. It won't leak under normal driving, but put a little weight behind it and it starts pouring. If you put the Ford seal back in, you will be doing it again before too long, there is an aftermarket seal out there that is black and not grey like the Ford one, you shouldn't have it happen again if you use that seal. I am waiting on my original trans, to go, local shop has one that has a 300k warranty, regardless of what you tow with it, also a convertor that lets you control lockup from the cab! I asked a lot of questions about these transmissions, and heard two things from several different sources. First, don't dog it off the line, after you get a little speed, and hit second, then go for it. second, the basic transmission is fine, it is basically a C6 with an overdrive ( according the the transmission shop) it's the electronics that cause them to fail. If your engine light, or the overdrive light on the end of the shifter start flashing, have it checked, don't wait!!!! If you maintain it properly, and don't overload it, it will go 100K, then go buy one of the aftermarket stronger builds and never worry about it again!!! Good luck

 

You need fluid that says MERCON, not MERCON V. There is no such thing as MERCON I, or III, or 1V, etc.

Take a look at this, too. I've used it and it works GREAT!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles...hangingatf.php

 

AMEN. I talked with a good trans. man this morning. He said about the same thing.
The Trans. that Ford puts in ain't [B]SUPER DUTY

 

If you need to replace your tranny consider Brians (brianstruckshop(dot)com/ (replace dot with .)
An excellent tranny