Is there any justification to the cost of a trans flush on the torqueshift tranny other than self assurance? Why I ask is cause I've never flushed any of my transmissions. I was thinking about doing it on my truck today untell I got the price on the sp fluid. It alone will come close to $100 not counting filter/filters. I ended up with just draining the pan and changing the exteror filter. That came to $65. My fluid looked/smelled fine so I'm not worring to much about it. I'm not really one to complain about cost, but in this case I dont get it.
Just to show I'm not a grouch let me explain. I'm maintaining 2 tractors 3 flatbed trailers 4 trucks which only 1 is a diesel ,1 explorer and 2 mustangs. The mustangs and explorer are luxury machines. 1 of the trucks is my wifes work truck she owns her own L.A. vet. client/barn. My wallet has a huge hole in the bottom of it pouring money into these machines. Of course the luxurys dont get driven much which seem to get the 6 month treatments they hardly get 3,000 miles between changes. The trailers are always getting torn/worn tires. And I forgot the cattle trailer. One might see where the extra $60-$70 bucks on the flush is alittle stretch for me.
I have'nt heard or read any conclusive evidence to justify the money. Does anybody here have any. I like the idea of my torqueshift having 17 freash quarts of fluid cause I work the hell out of this truck as I do all Of mine. I have to be honest I do work this one harder. But $5 a quart for the fluid. Come on. What makes the sp so dang special it sure as heck aint got no more field use as mer III,Iv,or V

 

"But $5 a quart for the fluid. Come on. What makes the sp so dang special it sure as heck aint got no more field use as mer III,Iv,or V"


Reportedly its a synthetic fluid.

 

its is expensive yes..but most things are with these big turcks...

 

Mercon SP is not a synthetic it is made using GP II+ basestocks.Here is some interesting info on the fluid.


FUTURE ATF SPECIFICATIONS


- Mercon "1" coming as early as 2008
- GM Dexron VI

1. Mercon SP stands for Special. It is a short term oil until they come out with their Mercon "1" ATF. The Mercon SP will have very good EP/AW properties, Excellent Oxidation resistance, Excellent Low Temp qualities, excellent shear stability and a much lower viscosity (5.5-6.0 VK@100°C). Mercon SP is only for limited Ford models and only from late 2003 until 2008. Ford recommends Mercon SP in the new Ford SD with the 5-speed automatic transmission Model #5R110W.

2. Mercon "1" is what Ford wants as their only fluid for all applications. They want it to be backwards compatible with Mercon SP, Mercon V, and Mercon products. This should come about in 2008.

3. GM Dexron VI is what GM wants as their only fluid for all applications. They want it to be backwards compatible with Dexron IIIG and IIIH. This should come about in 2008.

 

so what would the total cost be. im going to have my 04 flushed here shortly.

I assume Mecron SP is what i should use over Mecron V?

 

Exiled, if it makes you feel any better, most Ford dealerships only change the fluid in the pan and re-fill. Many do not even change the external filter. I flushed mine at the 30k interval and changed the external filter. I now just drop the 8 qts in the pan and change the external filter every 15k miles. I just dropped the pan and changed the internal screen and the pan was clean as a whistle. I would say next time you change the pan fluid, drop the pan and have a look see at whats going on. The gasket is re-usable.

 

It was my understanding that this viscosity ranges of V & SP didnt overlap. I cant find a solid spec on the net, Where did you find this?

 

If you do it yourself and you go by the writeup in the tech folder your looking at:

20 qts transfluid=$100
1 exteror filter=$22
1 interor filter =$25
that will come to $147.

 

If you know where to look on the net you can get motorcraft SP for 2.76-2.99 a quart. I won't mention where because its not a FTE sponser. The filter screen should never need replacement its good for the life of the unit.The screen only filters down to 59 microns so if any thing got past that you would have some pretty decent tranny problems.It just prevents large particles from entering the valve body. The external filter is good down to 21 microns and can be picked up at napa or carquest. You can get it from wix or baldwin for around 12.00.

 

Yea brother it does. I mean I love the lady but some money is better in my pocket. I was going to change the inside filter but it was $25 and I was trying to keep it around $45. I liked to freaked when I got the $65 bill. I thought $2.85 was high to spend on the merv.

 

can u pm me where u can get it that cheap.???

 

Ford does recommend changing it at 120K I think, so it is not a lifetime part. I pulled mine and saw some fine particles on it, so I changed it, had it on hand anyway, and from talking with Bear Hunter he felt if you did any ammount of towing with the truck it should be changed at 60K mark. I did mine at 64k.

Exiled I know you can get it cheaper that from National Fleet Parts (dieselfiltersonline) which is a site sponsor, but they do offer free shipping if you purchase enough items, their filters are also cheaper than anyone elses onthe net for oem filters.

 

The Add on filter kit P.N. is FT-165.

 

Whats this?

 

The external filter, FT-145, varies between 36.00 and 40.00 dollars at the dealers here. Even Autozone wants 36 for a Purolator. If you are getting them for 22, you are getting a good price.