Advice on tran service @ 108K

[grm386wa]

I own a 97 Taurus 6cyl with 108K on it. I bought the car used with 70K on it. At the time I first bought it, I did not have a decent place to crawl underneath it to drop the pan, so I used a fluid evacuator and changed out as much transmission fluid as I could. If memory serves me, it was about 5 or 6 quarts.
Transmission has no issues per se, but overall just feels sluggish.
My question is this: Not knowing the service history on this car at all, what type of service should I do? Pan drop, fluid and filter change, or take it in for a fluid flush at PepBoys?
Any recommendations on type of fluid I should use would also be appreciated.

 

[Iain]

Do you have the AX4S or AX4N transmission?

 

[grm386wa]

I'm not sure. How can I determine this?

 

[grm386wa]

I just returned from doing a fluid check.
Fluid still looks bright red and has no foul odors whatsoever.

 

[The Critic]

Regardless of which transmission you have, I would remove the pan, change the filter, clean the magnets, and refill with a Dexron-III/Mercon fluid. Then, extract fluid from the dipstick tube every couple hundred miles 2-3 times to change out most of the fluid. The 98+ AX4N/AX4S units require Mercon-V.

 

[grm386wa]

Thank you for the reply. Using google, I have determined my car has the "L" code meaning it is the AX4S transmission. Hope this helps

 

[Iain]

The Critic wrote:

quote:

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Regardless of which transmission you have, I would remove the pan, change the filter, clean the magnets, and refill with a Dexron-III/Mercon fluid. Then, extract fluid from the dipstick tube every couple hundred miles 2-3 times to change out most of the fluid. The 98+ AX4N/AX4S units require Mercon-V.

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Excellent advice for your initial foray into transmission maintenance for this vehicle. Use a good quality non-synthetic fluid and you should be fine.

grm386wa wrote:

quote:

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I have determined my car has the "L" code meaning it is the AX4S transmission. Hope this helps

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Concensus are AX4S seem somewhat more finicky about maintenance than AX4N.

As follow-on to above, I would increase maintenance schedule from original OEM recommendations.(e.g. from 30k to 20k).With that schedule, filter should last 60k easily.

Additionally, don't forget other oft-neglected maintenance items such as air/fuel filters and other things that may cause performance issues.

The following link provide more Taurus/Sable drivetrain information:
http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/index.php?showforum=19

 

[grm386wa]

Thank you all for the replies. It is reasurring that my overall assesment is right in line with everyone elses.
Crawled up underneath it today and noticed I do not have a drain plug

so on my next two days off, I am going to drop the pan and change the filter.
Should I use the Mercon V due to the fact that I have the AX4S or was that only to be used for 98 and newer transmissions?

 

[Brett Miller]

One way to make the job much easier is to suck 4-5 quarts out via the dipstick tube. Makes dropping the pan much easier/cleaner.

 

[JTK]

quote:

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Originally posted by grm386wa:
..Transmission has no issues per se, but overall just feels sluggish.

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Very normal for the AX4S/4N. They are great under very light, smooth and deliberate throttle and load inputs. Get crazy with the go pedal and they are all over the place.

I don't know if it's a software thing or a harware issue. Maybe both!?!

Joel

 

[unDummy]

108k isn't too bad of a life on an AX4S. Sluggish is normal operation for this transmission. There are several Ford TSBs and aftermarket upgrades to improve shifting and transmission life. Some can be installed at any time. Other upgrades can only be installed during a rebuild.
Vehicle speed sensor, slow solenoids, and corroded wiring could also add to the pathetic shift quality.

I'd drop the pan, clean it and the magnet. Change the ATF filter and button her back up. Use a quality ATF filter kit(using a rubber pan gasket with limiters, not cork). Use a torque wrench on the ATF bolts.
If shifting is improved with the above, then do a cooler line flush to remove any old ATF.
Consider using a high mileage ATF.

 

[got_titan]

use mercon v or mobil atf. walmart has just started carrying it(mobil atf) for about $5 per quart. either way it need to be mercon v or comparable.

 

[Iain]

grm386wa wrote:

quote:

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Should I use the Mercon V due to the fact that I have the AX4S or was that only to be used for 98 and newer transmissions?

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A regular, consistent maintenance schedule using a good quality non-synthetic DexronIII/Mercon ATF will be fine.

Your transmission cannot utilise the enhanced features of Mercon V and would be a waste of money.

[ June 18, 2006, 09:04 AM: Message edited by: Iain ]

 

[another Todd]

Be happy you have a dip stick tube. I think it's Ford who is now building some automatics without one. You never check the oil and it must be filled through the drain plug making a DIY almost not worth it.

 

[RF Overlord]

quote:

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Originally posted by Iain:
A regular, consistent maintenance schedule using a good quality non-synthetic DexronIII/Mercon ATF will be fine.

Your transmission cannot utilise the enhanced features of Mercon V and would be a waste of money.

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^^^what Iain said^^^

Jerry Wroblewski, one of the original designers of the 4R70W transmission used in most RWD Fords, has stated that using Mercon V in an older Taurus will cause seal issues.

 

[grm386wa]

Thanks guys for all your help.
Ill be doing a pan drop and filter change with Mobile 1 either Wed or Thursday.
I will let you know how things go and what I notice, if anything.

Since joining the boards, Ive got the maintanence itch and have a long list of things to do.

4 bottles of AutoRx are in the mail, and once they arrive, Im doing oil changes on mine and my wifes car with a ARX treatment to boot. Next week it is wifes transmission drop filter and Mobile1.

As soon as I get the evacuator, Im doing a PS fluid change on both cars as well.

 

[Brett Miller]

Excellent, one word of advice....the rubber ring that holds the filter in place will most likely be stuck in the transmission. It will come out but be patient and don't scratch the bore it resides in. The new filter should already have the sealing ring in place.

 

[Iain]

grm386wa wrote:

quote:

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Thanks guys for all your help.
Ill be doing a pan drop and filter change with Mobile 1 either Wed or Thursday.
I will let you know how things go and what I notice, if anything.

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erm....Mobil 1 ATF, now, for your AX4S transmission with 108K and questionable history of maintenance is a bad idea. Mobil specifically warn against this in the FAQ section of their Mobil 1 ATF product.

But, it's your car. Don't say I didn't warn you

 

[grm386wa]

Thanks for the heads up.

Would the Mobile ATF D/M or Mobile Multi Vehicle ATF be ok?

 

[Iain]

I prefer the cautious approach here. If OEM spec transmission for Mercon, then that's what should be installed.

Multi-Vehicle ATF mean DexronIII/Mercon/Mercon V.

At this time, I would install a quality, non-synthetic DexronIII/Mercon fluid that specifically indicate only that level of compliance on label.