I changed my tranny fluid about 2 weeks ago. All I did was pull the pan and changed the filter. I didnt replace but 4 1/2 qaurts. I used synthetic mercon v. Do you think that will hold me over till the 60000 mile service or do i need to redo it and disconnect the line on the transmition. Im not having any problems with it and it does shift better than it did. I just signed up here and didnt read the article till after i had finished. Thanks.

 

That depends. With the information you gave all I could say is maybe.

What transmission? Some use MERCON and some use MERCON V.

How many miles? If you want to wait for the60K service and you already have 59K, fine. If you only have 3K and want to wait for the 60K service, that's not so good.

Mark

 

Its a 98 F150 extended cab. Its got 42000 miles on it(maybe 41500 when i changed the fluid in the pan). Not sure which trans. It a 4.6, it says mercron v on the dipstick. The fluid doesnt smell burnt. We are taking about a 2000 mile trip in 3 weeks and i want to make sure everything is okay before we go.

 

It's a 4R70W transmission. That's the only automatic transmission ever used with the 4.6L.

I'd change the fluid. 41K is a bit too long for the first complete change, and you didn't get most of it changed. You don't need to change the fitler again, the one in there is fine.

Mark

 

Thanks. I may carry to the oil and lube place here. They said they hook it up to a vaccum and it sucks all the fluid out. They charge $75 to do it, I guess thats not to bad.

 

The quick-lube vacuum method will NOT do a complete change. The torque converter holds most of the fluid. $75 is way too much to pay, $25 is more like it. A complete change where they hookup to the cooler lines is much better. I have seen prices of $80-$120 for that.

Jim

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 13-Aug-02 AT 05:13 PM (EST)]'kinda interested in this thread as I'm approaching 30K and want to change my 4R70W fluid at that point.

The manual says NOT to use fluid which claims to be both Mercon and Mercon V rated. Just Mercon V. Have you found a synthetic Mercon V? I have only seen part synthetic Mercon V.

I'm also thinking of replacing the pan with a deeper (B&M) aluminum finned one with a drain plug. Any comments?

Is an in-line hydraulic filter worthwhile or overkill? Any recommendations on temperature gauges?

Thanks, MrBSS

 

As I read the manual it says not to use a MERCON/MERCON V fluid in a transmission that requires MERCON. It does not say not to use a MERCON/MERCON V fluid in a transmission that requires MERCON V.

Mark

 

I stand corrected. I see that it does say,.. "However, these dual usage fluids may be used in transmissions that require the MERCON V type fluid." Guess I should have read all the fine print!

MrBSS