160K Mile F-150... ATF R&R. Fluid recommendations?

[Scott88]

I am looking at replacing the tranny fluid in a '96 F150 with an E4OD automatic. Ford specs Dex/Merc III. The truck has over 160K miles on it, and I am looking for some input...

"Regular" Valvoline Dex/Merc(Blue bottle)

or

Maxlife Valvoline Dex/Merc (Red bottle)

Idk, if putting the Maxlife(synthetic blend?) would push my luck in an older transmission. Current fluid is still fairly clean.

BTW... I am looking to remove the fluid with a Mityvac. No flush and/or filter change will be taking place. Thanks guys.

 

[EricF]

either would be fine... I'd also add a bottle of Lubegard Red to top it off!

 

[Art_Vandelay]

Hasn't that trans been back spec'd to Mercon V?

 

[Art_Vandelay]

Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Hasn't that trans been back spec'd to Mercon V?


Sorry. My mistake. Do not use Mercon V in that application:
http://www.f150online.com/forums/transmissions/151808-mercon-v-e4od.html

 

[Scott88]

Thanks guys.

I would like to use the Maxlife.Maxlife appears to be synthetic per the Valvoline site.
http://valvoline.com/products/consumer-p...ission-fluid/37

My only concern, and it may not be be valid, is that the older transmission may be "cleaned" out too much, thus creating problems. In the product despriction, it states "Enhanced cleaning additives help reduce varnish formation and keep the transmission running properly longer."

 

[scurvy]

Why not drop the pan & change the filter, then refill with Maxlife ATF? That way you can see how much grey goop is in the pan itself and break open the old filter to see how many glittery chunks you started out with.

You say the fluid is currently fairly clean... when was it changed last?

The old wives' tale of a transmission fluid change causing transmission failure needs to stop. Those mythical transmissions were on the verge of failure anyway. Correlation != causation. You're much better off changing the fluid than not changing it. Maxlife has a great track record (even in older transmissions) and the E4OD isn't a terribly demanding application for any ATF.

 

[01rangerxl]

I highly doubt Maxlife will cause any problems in your transmission. If you are really worried, the regular ATF will work just fine.

If it were my truck, I'd probably go with the Maxlife.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Hasn't that trans been back spec'd to Mercon V?


Sorry. My mistake. Do not use Mercon V in that application:
http://www.f150online.com/forums/transmissions/151808-mercon-v-e4od.html


Old, bad info. You can use the newer bottles of Mercon V no problems.

 

[Scott88]

Appreciate the input gentlemen.

Scurvy- Fluid has ~40K miles on it. It needs to be changed, it just isn't that dirty visually(scientific, huh?).

I'll give Maxlife a try. I have used it in manual trannies and a transfer case before...

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: Scott88
Fluid has ~40K miles on it. It needs to be changed, it just isn't that dirty visually(scientific, huh?).


Good enough for gummint work. Glad it's been changed regularly. I think you'll be happy with the Maxlife ATF, let us know how it goes.

 

[SuperDave456]

I have a '98 F150.
It seems to love Maxlife and a bottle of Lubegard Red. Shifts like butter.

Although I only put about 3000 miles on it a year as it is my "this won't fit in my car" vehicle.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: scurvy
The old wives' tale of a transmission fluid change causing transmission failure needs to stop. Those mythical transmissions were on the verge of failure anyway. You're much better off changing the fluid than not changing it.
Agreed 100%.

Also +1 to what bdcardinal said^^^. Ford stopped licensing plain Mercon in 2007 and now specs Mercon V for everything that used to spec Mercon.

 

[fdcg27]

Has the filter ever been changed on this thing?
If not, you should probably drop the pan, clean it out and replace the filter.
A messy job, but not a hard one.
IMHO, the tranny is more likely to be damaged by a clogged filter than by 40K fluid.

 

[Scott88]

^ Not sure on the filter.

RF- On the back of a Motorcraft Mercon V ATF bottle, it stated not to use it in transfer cases... Is that still true or can Mercon V be used in any and all Dex/Merc III applications?

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: Scott88
^ Not sure on the filter.

RF- On the back of a Motorcraft Mercon V ATF bottle, it stated not to use it in transfer cases... Is that still true or can Mercon V be used in any and all Dex/Merc III applications?


XL-12 is Motorcraft Transfer Case Fluid and is to be used in all transfer cases that Ford spec'd Mercon for. http://fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/ma...mission%20Fluid

 

[Scott88]

^ Thanks bd. Maxlife Dex/Merc is currently in the transfer case, is that a problem?

 

[bdcardinal]

You shoudl be fine. That is the updated fluid that a dealer would use or would sell OTC.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Originally Posted By: Scott88
RF- On the back of a Motorcraft Mercon V ATF bottle, it stated not to use it in transfer cases... Is that still true or can Mercon V be used in any and all Dex/Merc III applications?


XL-12 is Motorcraft Transfer Case Fluid and is to be used in all transfer cases that Ford spec'd Mercon for. http://fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/ma...mission%20Fluid
Thanks for clearing that up, bdcardinal. I should have said that Mercon V is now the fluid for all *transmissions* that previously spec'd Mercon. Same for P/S systems.