Better get a good stash of Mercon Atf if you have a PSD with a 4r100 Auto....
http://www.imakenews.com/lng/e_article000564317.cfm?x=b11,0,w
http://www.imakenews.com/lng/e_article000564317.cfm?x=b11,0,w
For those of you who have a 4r100 and other trannys using Mercon...
- Thread starter 02supercrew
- Start date
- Status
Kestas
Staff member
With the demise of Dexron III licenses at the end of the year, this will be the end of Dexron III/Mercon as we know it.
You can bet there will be a price jump. I'm stocking up now.
You can bet there will be a price jump. I'm stocking up now.
Ford is very specific on the use of ONLY Mercon/DexronIII in the 4R100. Mercon V is not backward compatable with this transmission. Also the use of a dual rated fluid is not allowed, such as Mercon/DexronIII and Mercon V. (The new Mobil 1, Amsoil and others are dual rated and not acceptable.) Remember most of the 4R100 trans. will be out of warranty, so Ford does not really care if you bomb the trans. More money for rebuilds on this one. A real Catch 22 for the owner.
Because people still believe a 6-year-old TSB about a specific Mercon V formulation is somehow applicable to the Mercon V available today.
Motorcraft® MERCON® V is a premium-quality automatic transmission fluid designed, engineered and recommended by Ford Motor Company for use in Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles that require either MERCON® V or MERCON® type fluid. This product also provides excellent performance in electronically controlled automatic transmissions. It is a DEXRON® III fluid approved for H specification. It is also recommended for use in pre-1989 automatic transmissions, which call for a DEXRON® IIE, DEXRON® II, DEXRON® and Type “A” Suffix “A” fluids. Motorcraft® MERCON® V is an approved Allison C4 Fluid
here
here
I'd like to believe that Valvoline and other oil companies will continue to produce the older spec fluid. Hey, you can still get Type F transmission fluid.
In the spirit of 59 Vetteman's post, here is a post from another site:
In the spirit of 59 Vetteman's post, here is a post from another site:
Here's what I don't get: Why doesn't Mercon V damage GM transmissions which call for Dexron? Considering that the Dexron/Mercon specs are very similar...
different friction properties equal lousy shifting feel.
bruce
bruce
For longevity you are probably better off running a good Mercon fluid in the 4r100. However, if the trans is in good shape MercV will work. I had more MercV than I could use in my Ranger so I ran quite a bit of my stock in one of my 4r100's and it held up fine. Although since I was running short I ordered up some Mercon from SF and will be using that now.
It's hard to give an answer on the GM/Ford fluid compatibility generally speaking (you didn't mention a particular trans or vintage). I would say that older trans that spec Dexron are probably more tolerant since they are mostly mechanical transmissions, but again talking generally.
I run whatever I feel like and/or think will work best (depending on what vehicle I'm working on). However I have to accept that the thing could take a powder because I used the wrong type slickem!
It's hard to give an answer on the GM/Ford fluid compatibility generally speaking (you didn't mention a particular trans or vintage). I would say that older trans that spec Dexron are probably more tolerant since they are mostly mechanical transmissions, but again talking generally.
I run whatever I feel like and/or think will work best (depending on what vehicle I'm working on). However I have to accept that the thing could take a powder because I used the wrong type slickem!
A TSB has never been issued by Ford Motor Company that allows the use of Mercon V or dual rated fluid in the 4R100. So the use of anything else is not approved.
The link provided by Biran is nothing more than a Sales pitch by Motorcraft oil. Amsoil, Mobil 1 and all the other dual rated fluids, Mercon/Dexron/Mercon V rated fluid are sales pitches.
As I stated earlier, the 4R100 is generally out of warranty so any problems are borne by the owner.
I just present the facts. Use what you want in your 4R100.
The link provided by Biran is nothing more than a Sales pitch by Motorcraft oil. Amsoil, Mobil 1 and all the other dual rated fluids, Mercon/Dexron/Mercon V rated fluid are sales pitches.
As I stated earlier, the 4R100 is generally out of warranty so any problems are borne by the owner.
I just present the facts. Use what you want in your 4R100.
I have to agree with Vetteman. The following is out of the service DVD that the DEALER's use and is the current version (this year’s publication).
General Specifications Item Specifications
Fluid a
MERCON® Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid
X-2-QDX MERCON®
Fluid Capacities b
20 plate oil-to-air cooler 16.1L (17.1 quarts)
26 plate oil-to-air cooler 16.7L (17.7 quarts)
Fluid Filter
Inline Transmission Fluid Filter Kit
XC3Z-7B155-AA —
Inline Transmission Fluid Filter
XC3Z-7B155-BA —
Lubricants
Silicone Brake Caliper Grease and Dielectric Compound
D7AZ-19A331-A (Motorcraft WA-10) ESE-M1C171-A
Multi-Purpose Grease
D0AZ-19584-AA ESB-M1C93-B
a CAUTION: Using a transmission fluid that indicates a dual usage (MERCON ® and MERCON ®V) in a transmission application requiring only MERCON®, may cause transmission damage. Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.
NOTE: Refer to the fluid level indicator and the Owner's Guide for the type of transmission fluid required. Some fluid labels may indicate dual usage such as MERCON® and MERCON ®V. These dual-usage fluids are not to be used in transmissions that use only the MERCON® type fluid. These dual-usage fluids may be used in transmissions that require MERCON ®V use.
b The above fluid capacities are approximate dry fill capacity and include fluid coolers and fluid cooler tubes. Fluid level indicator should be used to determine actual fluid requirement and fluid specifications. Check level at operating temperature. DO NOT OVERFILL. The transmission fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) regardless of normal or special operating conditions. Any 5.4L applications with in-tank coolers and OTA may require an additional few ounces.
General Specifications Item Specifications
Fluid a
MERCON® Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid
X-2-QDX MERCON®
Fluid Capacities b
20 plate oil-to-air cooler 16.1L (17.1 quarts)
26 plate oil-to-air cooler 16.7L (17.7 quarts)
Fluid Filter
Inline Transmission Fluid Filter Kit
XC3Z-7B155-AA —
Inline Transmission Fluid Filter
XC3Z-7B155-BA —
Lubricants
Silicone Brake Caliper Grease and Dielectric Compound
D7AZ-19A331-A (Motorcraft WA-10) ESE-M1C171-A
Multi-Purpose Grease
D0AZ-19584-AA ESB-M1C93-B
a CAUTION: Using a transmission fluid that indicates a dual usage (MERCON ® and MERCON ®V) in a transmission application requiring only MERCON®, may cause transmission damage. Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.
NOTE: Refer to the fluid level indicator and the Owner's Guide for the type of transmission fluid required. Some fluid labels may indicate dual usage such as MERCON® and MERCON ®V. These dual-usage fluids are not to be used in transmissions that use only the MERCON® type fluid. These dual-usage fluids may be used in transmissions that require MERCON ®V use.
b The above fluid capacities are approximate dry fill capacity and include fluid coolers and fluid cooler tubes. Fluid level indicator should be used to determine actual fluid requirement and fluid specifications. Check level at operating temperature. DO NOT OVERFILL. The transmission fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) regardless of normal or special operating conditions. Any 5.4L applications with in-tank coolers and OTA may require an additional few ounces.
1040 Wreckerman,
Thanks for the info. I do not have the Service DVD. I tried to buy one on Ebay last year but I was out bid.
Kind of ironic but the E4OD is in the same situation as the 4R100. Only Mercon/DexronIII.
My 95 trans was rebuilt to accept the dual rated fluid. In fact the rebuilder puts Schaeffers in all his rebuilds.
Thanks for the info. I do not have the Service DVD. I tried to buy one on Ebay last year but I was out bid.
Kind of ironic but the E4OD is in the same situation as the 4R100. Only Mercon/DexronIII.
My 95 trans was rebuilt to accept the dual rated fluid. In fact the rebuilder puts Schaeffers in all his rebuilds.
So, what's wrong with using Mercon V per the Lube Report article?
From the article:
Ved, based at Ford’s Automatic Transmission New Product Center in Livonia, Mich., is the company’s lead development engineer for ATF.
[snip]
“All transmissions recommending Mercon ATF can now be serviced with Mercon V,” Ved later told Lube Report.
Ved, based at Ford’s Automatic Transmission New Product Center in Livonia, Mich., is the company’s lead development engineer for ATF.
[snip]
“All transmissions recommending Mercon ATF can now be serviced with Mercon V,” Ved later told Lube Report.
One other thing. I've brought it up before:
Why did Ford issue Mercon licenses to fluid that could potentially damage transmissions that specify Mercon?
What (besides cost, being that Mercon is a little cheaper than Mercon V but not by much these days) would prevent some unscrupulous company from taking a formulation that could be dual rated Mercon/Mercon V and just putting Mercon on the label and how would you know?
Why did Ford issue Mercon licenses to fluid that could potentially damage transmissions that specify Mercon?
What (besides cost, being that Mercon is a little cheaper than Mercon V but not by much these days) would prevent some unscrupulous company from taking a formulation that could be dual rated Mercon/Mercon V and just putting Mercon on the label and how would you know?
I just saw in the latest Lubes 'N Greases magazine (chart in transmission fluid article) that in 2005 Ford came out with Mercon C. I wonder how that fits in to this picture. Maybe they don't want to carry three different Mercon specs. Or maybe Mercon C will supercede both Mercon and Mercon V?
Word has it the problem with Mercon and Mercon V is having a mix in the transmission. Apparently if u can replace ALL the Mercon with Mercon V without mixing then there isn't a problem.
you may be right, but at least in the case of my 1997 Tbird, it did make a difference, and still does:
When I got my Tbird with 72k miles on it, it had shudder shifting from 3 to 4(OD), and TC shudder around 40-45 mph. it had regular Mercon in it, and a lot of people recommended repair, but on the adivice of a friend, I persuaded the dealer to try Mercon-V in it, and the shudder is 99% gone, and I've been using Mercon-V ever since. At the time I didn't know it, but the TSB 98-8-7 clearly recommends to use Mercon-v in older Fords with the 4R70w to eliminate shudder specifically. ( As some dealers are "unaware" of this TSB or have forgotten it, I had to educate some dealerships about this, and take a printout of the TSB with me, otherwise they wouldn't put the Mercon-v in a 1997 4R70W!!! you would think they would know!)
- Status
Similar threads
