Umm, oops, wrong ATF!!!! Help!
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Umm, oops, wrong ATF!!!! Help!
Well last night while plowing snow I started running low on tranny fluid, checked it, and added 3 quarts of Mercon III to my tranny. Didn't realize that it took Mercon V and now I've lost all foward gears and still have reverse. I was able to limp the truck to my shop to work on it.
So, I'm just wondering if a filter and fluid change will at least get me to the trans shop or should I just call for a tow and get it fixed.
This is on a '00 Superduty with the 5.4L and auto trans.
So, I'm just wondering if a filter and fluid change will at least get me to the trans shop or should I just call for a tow and get it fixed.
This is on a '00 Superduty with the 5.4L and auto trans.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
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From: Corvallis, OR
Do you mean Mercon or Dextron III? Either way, get that fluid flushed ASAP and hope your tranny still works. If you don't want to spend money on a tow, drain and refill with the correct fluid, then get it flushed ASAP.
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
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From: Grand Lake, La.
Sounds like your trans started slipping while plowing, stoped and checked the fluid and added 3 quarts. Then lost forward gears. Your trans holds around 18 qts fluid, I don't think putting 3 qts would stop your trans like that. Do you have a leak? What was the trans temp when you lost the gears? Did the fluid look or smelled burnt when you checked it?
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From: Stephensville WI
If you mean you used Mercon instead fo Mercom V, that isn't a major issue and isn't what killed your transmission.
If it was Dextron 3, I don't think this is what killed your transmission either. At this point, I'd get the rig towed to a transmission shop. I don't think the flush & fill will get it working again.
If it was Dextron 3, I don't think this is what killed your transmission either. At this point, I'd get the rig towed to a transmission shop. I don't think the flush & fill will get it working again.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
I agree you need to get it flushed out. Here's a how-to if you haven't flushed it yourself before. https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...nsmission.html
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Florida
When the 4R100 in your truck was built it was filled with MERCON fluid. There is no such thing as MERCON III. Last year Ford discontinued MERCON fluid and changed MERCON V so that it is compatible with the 4r100. It is now the correct ATF, but using MERCON won't hurt the trans. You have other problems, not a fluid problem.
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funny i did something similar to what you did was offroading and snagged the transline dumped like 12 quarts. I added the mercon III or II watever it was cause i couldnt find the V and it fried my **** too 1800 later
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Senior User
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i agree i never heard of mercon III
my 2003 4R100 tranny on the dipstick says MERCON i only put MERCON in my truck
Ford resently stated that mercon V can be put into trannies that were originally set up with mercon
i dont know who to trust so i stuck with regular old MERCON - never had a problem
kenny
my 2003 4R100 tranny on the dipstick says MERCON i only put MERCON in my truck
Ford resently stated that mercon V can be put into trannies that were originally set up with mercon
i dont know who to trust so i stuck with regular old MERCON - never had a problem
kenny
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Going to flush the trans tomorrow morning and hope for the best. I'm also going to dump a bottle of Lucas Oil Tranny Fix in and see what happens. Hopefully I can limp it to the tranny shop and start weighing my options.
The tranny had a steady leak since I bought it about a month ago, and since then this is the first time I've needed to add. The bottle was regular Dextron/Mercon III fluid that I've used in several other vehicles.
The entire time the fluid has been cherry red with no burning smell. I did notice some foaming however.
The tranny had a steady leak since I bought it about a month ago, and since then this is the first time I've needed to add. The bottle was regular Dextron/Mercon III fluid that I've used in several other vehicles.
The entire time the fluid has been cherry red with no burning smell. I did notice some foaming however.
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Originally Posted by bsfarmer
Going to flush the trans tomorrow morning and hope for the best. I'm also going to dump a bottle of Lucas Oil Tranny Fix in and see what happens. Hopefully I can limp it to the tranny shop and start weighing my options.
The tranny had a steady leak since I bought it about a month ago, and since then this is the first time I've needed to add. The bottle was regular Dextron/Mercon III fluid that I've used in several other vehicles.
The entire time the fluid has been cherry red with no burning smell. I did notice some foaming however.
The tranny had a steady leak since I bought it about a month ago, and since then this is the first time I've needed to add. The bottle was regular Dextron/Mercon III fluid that I've used in several other vehicles.
The entire time the fluid has been cherry red with no burning smell. I did notice some foaming however.
The 4r100 is a good tranny, but yours sounds like there is something wrong with it, does not sound fluid related to me
good luck
kenny
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i have to assume you mean Dextron III / mercon... that is the correct fluid to use Dextron III usually has the same specs as mercon, but I always put in synthetic MERCON fluid, at first it was mobil 1 ATF, on my 2nd change i used amsoil torqueshift.
The 4r100 is a good tranny, but yours sounds like there is something wrong with it, does not sound fluid related to me
The 4r100 is a good tranny, but yours sounds like there is something wrong with it, does not sound fluid related to me
I talked to some mechanics around here, they all say its more than just a fluid problem. I'm still going to flush it so I have a fighting chance on making the 7-mile trip to the tranny shop without a tow.
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Bristol, CT
Originally Posted by redford
If you mean you used Mercon instead fo Mercom V, that isn't a major issue and isn't what killed your transmission.
If it was Dextron 3, I don't think this is what killed your transmission either. At this point, I'd get the rig towed to a transmission shop. I don't think the flush & fill will get it working again.
If it was Dextron 3, I don't think this is what killed your transmission either. At this point, I'd get the rig towed to a transmission shop. I don't think the flush & fill will get it working again.
I agree, sound like its more then what meets the eye. Get it Towed to the Trans shop.