Mopar ATF+4 in Ford transmission

[towncar]

Hi

i'm planning to change the ATF fluid in my 91 Lincoln Towncar. Also i'm going to install an external cooler, but i think i'll just bypass the radiator so the fluid will be going only through this new cooler:

in addition there will be four 12cm fans, 3000rpm each attached to the cooler:

Anyway, i think i should go for some synthetic ATF because they flow better in cooler temperatures and i expect transmission to
run cooler after such mod.

I already tried that Mopar ATF+4 in my 94 Sterling 827 (honda trannsmission) and it works great, also with external cooler. (i learned about it from this forum)

So what do you think? should i use mineral dexron III or try this fully synthetic Mopar ATF+4 ?

My Towncar doesn't shift very smooth , rather kind of harsh so i won't be loosing much anyway if for example that ATF+4 adds more friction then regular dexron.

 

[Tempest]

Can't get Mercon V??

 

[OVERKILL]

Is the engine/tranny stock? If so, you really don't need to worry about it. The AODE is a pretty durable tranny and that engine isn't hard on it, given the power output.

I've used the M1 ATF in the past and had very good results with it in my Mustang's 5spd as well as in power steering pumps; it eliminates the Ford power steering pump whine. I also used it in my Explorer tranny.

I would also not worry about putting fans on it. That cooler will likely cause the thing to run cold anyways. I have a small 8x12 cooler on mine and it caused my tranny temps to PLUMMET.

Unless you are running a stall converter or higher than stock HP levels, you really aren't going to be making enough heat to cause any issues anyways.

 

[artificialist]

I have my doubts about Ford transmission durability with Chrysler ATF. Chrysler ATF+/+2/+3/+4 was invented because one type of Chrysler automatic transmission shifted too abrubtly, and didn't last. Rather than reprogram the transmission, Chrysler made an ATF with more friction modifiers than Dexron/Mercon.

Using that may make the Ford AT shift too slowly and wear out the clutch plates early. The reason ATF+4 worked in your Honda transmission is because Honda Z-1 also uses more friction modifiers than Dexron/Mercon.

I would buy a quality Mercon V product, such as Mobil1, and then stop worrying.

 

[Whitewolf]

For what it's worth my advice is don't do it. Friction durability would be my biggest concern.

 

[MolaKule]

I don't think you should by-pass the radiator since it provides fluid warming in the winter.

I would recommend MerconV as well.

 

[Brett Miller]

Mobil 1 Mercon V would be my choice.

 

[zrxkawboy]

You'll get many opinions. You've already received some good advice from others. Here's what I'd do if it were mine:

1. Plumb the cooler in series after your radiator cooler.
(trans-->rad. cooler-->new cooler)

2. Skip the fans.

3. Maxlife fluid.

Just my 0.02.

 

[exranger06]

I would definitely not bypass the stock cooler. If you want to add an additional cooler fine, but run it in series with the stock cooler. There's no way the aux. cooler will cool better than the stock one.

 

[G-MAN]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
I have my doubts about Ford transmission durability with Chrysler ATF. Chrysler ATF+/+2/+3/+4 was invented because one type of Chrysler automatic transmission shifted too abrubtly, and didn't last. Rather than reprogram the transmission, Chrysler made an ATF with more friction modifiers than Dexron/Mercon.


That is pure unadulterated nonsense. You should not post on subjects about which you clearly know nothing.

Do a search and read my posts on ATF+4 and get educated.

 

[Whitewolf]

My comment is that if you look at some of the papers that I have referenced in the recent past then it is clear that (at least in the tests that were used) ATF+4 does not have anything like the friction durability of either the Mercon fluid or the DEXRON fluid. Of course you do have to be familiar with the analyticals in order to figure out what the fluids really are but I think you already know that.

 

[bruce381]

Whitewolf

""My definition of an expert in any field is a person who knows enough about what's really going on to be scared.""

I like that it suits me may I use this.

 

[Whitewolf]

Bruce,
It doesn't belong to me so anyone can use it. I just found the quote and thought that it was very appropriate for the business that we are in.

 

[JustinH]

91 towncar is the AODE.

I would run the merconV or the atf+4.

Whatever you can get for cheaper.

Change the filter also, and clean out the pan with brake parts cleaner (magnet also).

 

[towncar]

First of all i'm verry sorry that i didn't response for such a long time but i was on trip and very busy. I still didn't do anyting with that transmission and in addition power steering box went bad, there is some grinding noise coming from it but its a different thing.


Thank you for all your advices about the fluid. I can't get any synthetic fluid in my country , like Mobil 1 which you suggested, only mineral dexrons. So thats why i thought about this mopar ATF+4 since its a full synthetic.
If its no good I will probably go for Texaco 7045 dexron III.

Just one question, Mopar ATF+4 is friction modified which means its more slipery? or adds more grip to the clutches?

i already bought the cooler and the fans:


i still don't know whether to bypass coolant radiator or not, which would be much simpler and afterall the tranmission is bolted to the engine so its being heat up anyway. Maybe i'll bypass it and see , and if it doesn't get hot enough then i will plug the radiator in line. Of course i'll change the filter too, already bought one.

Thanks
Tom

 

[Big Jim]

Friction modified means that it is slipperier.

 

[unDummy]

Going too cool can be a problem. I do recommend a transmission temperature gauge. Fans should also be thermostat controlled. And, I do agree that you should not bypass the radiator cooler. Weather in Poland is typically cool also.

How many miles on it? has the AT ever been rebuilt, upgraded, modified? What type of vehicle usage(fleet, daily driver, highway cruiser, traffic......)?

 

[sunfire]

Originally Posted By: Big Jim
Friction modified means that it is slipperier.


Please explain. What do you mean by slipperier? Slipperier like motor oil, low friction?

 

[Tempest]

Originally Posted By: sunfire
Originally Posted By: Big Jim
Friction modified means that it is slipperier.


Please explain. What do you mean by slipperier? Slipperier like motor oil, low friction?

As in having less grip on the clutches and bands which smooths shifting, at the possible expense of the clutch life.

 

[towncar]

Oww i see, so i won't use ATF+4, the clutches wouldn't like slipper fluid, a regular dexron which comply Mercon should be fine then. And i also decided not to install the external cooler at least for now, too bad i already bought the parts, but sometimes when i want to improve something it fails.
I'll just change the fluid and see if everything is working fine and maybe in the future i'll add that cooler.

The car has 95k miles, and as far i know transmission wasn't rebuilt, and previous owner said that he changed the fluid once. Actually I've just discovered recently that it was overfilled when hot, and there are even bobbles on the dipstick, thats why i just want to replace the fluid and set it to correct level.
And i don't drive that car on daily basis.

Thanks for your replies.