75w-140 PTU/transfer case has thickened, can it be thinned and flush

[migraine]

I have a 2008 Escape 3.0L AWD w/ 90k miles. The transfer case has never been flushed(as per Ford)
It is now thick and draining is near impossible to remove all of it.
Is there a fluid that can be added to the transfer case where is can be driven short distance to thin it out and allow /a full drain and not ruin the seals?
I have no problem doing multiple flush/ drain and refill if needed after the thicken is removed.
Any suggestions?
Thanks, Brian
-

 

[JavierH19]

Don't see why engine flush wouldn't work.

 

[nwjones18]

I would fill with supertech or something cheap and just do multiple drain/fills myself. You draining warm?

 

[tcp71]

I would fill with OEM spec fluid. Drive it a few miles, drain and repeat until it comes out clean.

 

[midnightlaundry]

TC's are easy to access. I'd drain it hot and do like NJ18 said. Mine takes less than 2 qts.. It's not a big hit on your Pocket..

EDIT.. My vehicle is RWD, your deal is in the front.. 75W-140 is already thick.. You might be making something out of nothing.. Supertech FTW!

 

[thastinger]

I have a 2008 Escape 3.0L AWD w/ 90k miles. The transfer case has never been flushed(as per Ford)
It is now thick and draining is near impossible to remove all of it.
Is there a fluid that can be added to the transfer case where is can be driven short distance to thin it out and allow /a full drain and not ruin the seals?
I have no problem doing multiple flush/ drain and refill if needed after the thicken is removed.
Any suggestions?
Thanks, Brian
-

This is the PTU correct? If so, it only holds like .7Qts. Drive it around to warm it up, then suck the old out with a pump (don't think yours has a drain in that year), fill with new 75-140, drive for a week and repeat until clean.

 

[thastinger]

TC's are easy to access. I'd drain it hot and do like NJ18 said. Mine takes less than 2 qts.. It's not a big hit on your Pocket..

I think he is talking about the PTU that escapes had, it isn't a TC like you are thinking of.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I think he is talking about the PTU that escapes had, it isn't a TC like you are thinking of.

Yes - it's a poorly thought out transverse AWD system. Ford (and other manufacturers) often made them completely unserviceable and they would fail.

 

[midnightlaundry]

 

[midnightlaundry]

These little hand pumps are great. It should suit your needs..

https://www.amazon.com/HORUSDY-Mult...93943&sprefix=fluid+pump+auto,aps,142&sr=8-10

 

[bdcardinal]

This is the PTU correct? If so, it only holds like .7Qts. Drive it around to warm it up, then suck the old out with a pump (don't think yours has a drain in that year), fill with new 75-140, drive for a week and repeat until clean.

An 08 should have drain and fill plugs.

 

[dnewton3]

Mineral oil and drive it around the block.
Do that a few times (no heavy throttle foot) and you'll get a decent flush effect.

 

[anderson]

drain fill with diesel again rinse lather and repeat until your happy then fill with your gear oil of choice.
cheap , easy and burns good as fire starter after

 

[Rand]

I'd flush with gear oil.
suck it out best you can
refill
run it 1000 miles

repeat a couple times
Safest option.

 

[thastinger]

Yes - it's a poorly thought out transverse AWD system. Ford (and other manufacturers) often made them completely unserviceable and they would fail.

Our 04 Escape 3.0L has one. It hasn't had any issues at 165K so far but we have owned it since new and I have changed the fluid in it every 30K (it has drain and fill plugs)...but it holds less than a Qt and it sits less than an inch from a cat converter.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Our 04 Escape 3.0L has one. It hasn't had any issues at 165K so far but we have owned it since new and I have changed the fluid in it every 30K (it has drain and fill plugs)...but it holds less than a Qt and it sits less than an inch from a cat converter.

Sounds like a great place to use some header wrap and/or handmade heat shields.

 

[migraine]

this Video is exactly why I'm doing it to the Wife's 2008 Escape. the Fordtechmakuloco YouTube videos are consistently the best on anything Ford.
At 90k+ miles and a smell that I can't pinpoint, I'm expecting a thick burnt oil, almost like bearing grease.
Hence the question if an additive can be added to help break down the "grease" so it can be drained with a few flushes for good measure. I don't plan on driving it anywhere, just enough to mix the existing oil/grease enough that it drains/vacuum pumped out.
Anyone here is welcome to tell me I'm being anal or my head is up my rear over this. better safe than sorry...$$$$
-Brian

 

[dlundblad]

I’d get a cheap fluid and do weekly drain and fills until you think it looks good.

 

[tcp71]

Introducing a fluid that isn't spec'd can have bad effects on any clutches inside the TC. Use the spec'd fluid and do a few drain/fills.

 

[pzev]

Ford switched a lot of their PTU's and Diffs to 75w85 without so much as an internal change. If I was in your situation I would pick up two courts of cheap gear oil of either 75w85 or 75w90 variety, and refill PTU and drive around for a tank of gas, doing two drain and fills using this process.
If after the second drain and fill I was happy with what comes out, I'd refill with proper fluid spec and go about my day. Maybe after an oil change interval I would do one final drain and fill. Shouldn't cost more than $50 in fluid for this whole process.

Your generation has a drain plug. Following generations did not, but Ford seems to have gotten wise and has put drain plugs back on their PTU's. I'm happy to report my 2022 Escape has a drain and fill plug on the PTU, and takes 75w85.