Transmission Service
New User
Joined: May 2009
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What is the best way to get most of the fluid out of the transmission during a service? I bought the truck used and don't know what kind (synthetic or not) or brand of fluid is in it? Thanks in advance. 03' F350 4X4 6.0L
Junior User
Joined: May 2009
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trannyservice
agian drain pan change filters drain tourque converter Ford has always been nice enough to put a drain plug on its converters I am not positive they still do on newer rigs but i sure would be dissappionted if the dont anymore I suppose it would not be a bad idea to dissconect cooler lines and run a can of cooler flush though to get all the fluid out and insure that the cooler isnt restricted. and add the snake oil
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,900
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The Torqshift tranny does not have a drainable torque converter. The only way to get the TC fluid out is to do a "heated" flush. On high mileage transmissions (when the fluid history is unknown) I would change the fluid and internal screen first - maybe even twice if it looked dirty inside the pan. Then at the next 30k interval I would have the flush done. Just my opinion.
Important - use ONLY Mercon SP fluid - and no additives.
Important - use ONLY Mercon SP fluid - and no additives.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 209
You can try...Some say that their products are equal to SP...As sensitive as the TS solenoids are to fluid quality, you're better off spending the money on SP...Don't skimp here...You won't have to do this again for 30K mles..
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Junior User
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fluid type
I recently learned something new in relation to fluids in vehicles inacted by the fair trade act I forget the name right now but what it states that if a vehicle manufacturer requires only to use thier special type of fliud for a trans or tanfercase or any vehicle component in order to comply with thier waranty they have to provide it to you free of charge any body heard of this?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,900
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It absolutely is not fine. Only the Mercon SP meets Fords specs. Even Amsoil has backed off of their claim to be Mercon SP compatible (they advertised one of their fluids to be compatible for awhile and then recently removed Mercon SP from their list).
backwoodsgoop -
Please post the specific language from the "fair trade act", because I do not believe it is applicable. I have heard of this mentioned many times regarding filters, but no one has presented the actual language. I do know that the fact is that Ford has denied warranty when improper fluids have been used and no other fluid is rated at the Ford specs that have been established for the TorqShift. Many experts (of which I will admit I am not one) on the TorqShift have stated that no other fluid should be used.
There is a lot of money at stake on this .......... until you see concrete proof that another fluid will be approved by Ford, do not use it. Read the verbiage in your owners manual as well.
backwoodsgoop -
Please post the specific language from the "fair trade act", because I do not believe it is applicable. I have heard of this mentioned many times regarding filters, but no one has presented the actual language. I do know that the fact is that Ford has denied warranty when improper fluids have been used and no other fluid is rated at the Ford specs that have been established for the TorqShift. Many experts (of which I will admit I am not one) on the TorqShift have stated that no other fluid should be used.
There is a lot of money at stake on this .......... until you see concrete proof that another fluid will be approved by Ford, do not use it. Read the verbiage in your owners manual as well.
Junior User
Joined: May 2009
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I will post the specific langauge from the fair trade act but it will come on monday when the transmission parts warehouse is open and I can get another copy of this article but it does state that if a manufacturer requires a certian type of lube for thier units and any other fluid will void warranty they have to supplie it free of charge Full-on with snake oil and it will not viod warranty
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
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For the automatic transmission and for the coolant, Ford has taken a very specific stance. It is crazy to rely on a legal technicality on this subject that may or may not hold up - too much $$'s at stake and their lawyers will be better than yours.
Regarding fluids for the 6.0L (from the manual):
Transmission:
Coolant:
For all other fluids, there are more options.
Manual Transmission:
Many options of brand, Ford does not care as long as it is a Mercon rated fluid. This implies NOT Mercon SP.
Oils:
CI4, CI4+, CJ4. Clearly Ford does not care as long as it is rated in these categories and it is in the proper SAE range for the driving conditions. Specifically:
Transfer Case:
Many options of brand, Ford does not care as long as it is a Mercon rated fluid. This implies NOT Mercon SP.
Front and Rear axles:
Ford states the recommended SAE rating (different for some model years). Meeting the SAE rating is the only requirement. Also, add recommended amount of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent meeting Ford Specification EST-M2C118–A for complete refill of limited slip axles. Ford design rear axles contain a synthetic lubricant that does
Power Steering:
Many options of brand, Ford does not care as long as it is a Mercon rated fluid. This implies NOT Mercon SP.
Brake Fluid:
Ford does not care as long as it is a Dot 3 fluid.
Regarding fluids for the 6.0L (from the manual):
Transmission:
MERCON
, MERCONV and MERCONSP are not
interchangeable. DO NOT mix MERCON, MERCONV and
MERCONSP. Use of dual usage fluids in an automatic
transmission application requiring MERCONSP may cause
transmission damage. Use of a transmission fluid other than the
recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.
interchangeable. DO NOT mix MERCON, MERCONV and
MERCONSP. Use of dual usage fluids in an automatic
transmission application requiring MERCONSP may cause
transmission damage. Use of a transmission fluid other than the
recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
Coolant:
Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant (yellow-colored), VC-7–A (U.S., except CA, OR and NM), VC-7–B (CA, OR and NM), meeting Ford Specification WSS-M97B51–A1. The only other coolant that should be used (ie meeting this standard is Zerex G05 coolant.
For all other fluids, there are more options.
Manual Transmission:
Many options of brand, Ford does not care as long as it is a Mercon rated fluid. This implies NOT Mercon SP.
Oils:
CI4, CI4+, CJ4. Clearly Ford does not care as long as it is rated in these categories and it is in the proper SAE range for the driving conditions. Specifically:
Engine oil need only meet the requirements of Ford specification
WSS-M2C930-A and the API Certification mark.
WSS-M2C930-A and the API Certification mark.
Transfer Case:
Many options of brand, Ford does not care as long as it is a Mercon rated fluid. This implies NOT Mercon SP.
Front and Rear axles:
Ford states the recommended SAE rating (different for some model years). Meeting the SAE rating is the only requirement. Also, add recommended amount of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent meeting Ford Specification EST-M2C118–A for complete refill of limited slip axles. Ford design rear axles contain a synthetic lubricant that does
not require changing unless the axle has been submerged in water. Dana
rear axles also contain a synthetic lubricant but do require a change.
rear axles also contain a synthetic lubricant but do require a change.
Power Steering:
Many options of brand, Ford does not care as long as it is a Mercon rated fluid. This implies NOT Mercon SP.
Brake Fluid:
Ford does not care as long as it is a Dot 3 fluid.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,722
Likes: 2,648
From: SE Florida
I will post the specific langauge from the fair trade act but it will come on monday when the transmission parts warehouse is open and I can get another copy of this article but it does state that if a manufacturer requires a certian type of lube for thier units and any other fluid will void warranty they have to supplie it free of charge Full-on with snake oil and it will not viod warranty
Replace MERCON SP with a non-MERCON SP fluid. Run a couple thousand miles and it WILL develop shifting issues. It will get worse and worse the further you drive. Now take it to the dealer, and they replace all seven solenoids because they were contaminated with the wrong trans fluid. Not every tech will be able to tell, but the good ones can. Since the failure was caused by the wrong fluid Ford won't pay for it.
You now have the choice of paying for it yourself or not getting your truck back. You can always pay and sue Ford, but it will cost you more than the solenoids cost, and you WILL lose, because you're wrong. Many people have made the same claim, and they are all wrong. All of the auto manufacturers understand that law and do follow it to the letter of the law.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,900
Likes: 3,617
Just disconnecting the cooler lines and flowing out of them will not flush the Torque Converter. It is best to just go get it flushed at a dealership that has a heated flush machine.
I would not use a cooler flush chemical either.
Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky
Replace MERCON SP with a non-MERCON SP fluid. Run a couple thousand miles and it WILL develop shifting issues. It will get worse and worse the further you drive. Now take it to the dealer, and they replace all seven solenoids because they were contaminated with the wrong trans fluid. Not every tech will be able to tell, but the good ones can. Since the failure was caused by the wrong fluid Ford won't pay for it.