2011 Lincoln MKX PTU Oil vs ATF

[VegasMatt]

I had my mechanic replace the fluid in my differentials and my PTU (power transfer unit). When picking it up he told me he put ATF in my PTU, because that's what goes in there. The manufacturer recommends 75w140 gear oil. Will using ATF vs the gear oil damage my PTU? Should I take it back and make him put the right stuff in there?

Is it really that hard for a mechanic to check OEM requirements and follow those requirements?

 

[Dino01]

Well I'd certainly take it back and have it done right, then I'd immediately find a new mechanic

 

[bdcardinal]

Yes, it will not be good at all for your PTU. You absolutely want 75W140 in there.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Yes, I double checked your manual. I wonder how he got the impression to use transmission oil. GM's line of MP transfer cases use transmission oil, but not the 2011 Lincoln PTU in the MKX.

 

[threeputtpar]

Absolutely take it back. I had a Taurus X with the same PTU and between the small capacity and being right next to the catalytic converter the 75W-140 turns to sludge quickly. I actually used Schaefer's 75W-140 they make for Harley gear cases.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted by threeputtpar
Absolutely take it back. I had a Taurus X with the same PTU and between the small capacity and being right next to the catalytic converter the 75W-140 turns to sludge quickly. I actually used Schaefer's 75W-140 they make for Harley gear cases.


That is probably a good idea. I changed the fluid in the PTU on my mom's Fusion and used Amsoil 75W140. Hers has drain and fill plugs and of course we never has issues with the 4cyl cars, just the 6cyl NA and EcoBooms from the cat/turbo heat.

 

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted by bdcardinal
Originally Posted by threeputtpar
Absolutely take it back. I had a Taurus X with the same PTU and between the small capacity and being right next to the catalytic converter the 75W-140 turns to sludge quickly. I actually used Schaefer's 75W-140 they make for Harley gear cases.


That is probably a good idea. I changed the fluid in the PTU on my mom's Fusion and used Amsoil 75W140. Hers has drain and fill plugs and of course we never has issues with the 4cyl cars, just the 6cyl NA and EcoBooms from the cat/turbo heat.


bd, like your Mom's Fusion our 2017 2.3 EB Explorer also has drain & fill plugs on the PTU. We're lucky with the 4 cylinder vehicles Ford added the drain plug and increased the fluid capacity over the 3.5 V-6 engines PTU's. Plus as you said they 4 cylinders with the PTU do not expose it to the brutal heat that the V-6 does. I'm also using Amsoil Severe Gear 75W-140. I did an UOA, it's posted in the gear oil UOA section.

Whimsey

 

[dan_erickson]

Originally Posted by Whimsey
Originally Posted by bdcardinal
Originally Posted by threeputtpar
Absolutely take it back. I had a Taurus X with the same PTU and between the small capacity and being right next to the catalytic converter the 75W-140 turns to sludge quickly. I actually used Schaefer's 75W-140 they make for Harley gear cases.


That is probably a good idea. I changed the fluid in the PTU on my mom's Fusion and used Amsoil 75W140. Hers has drain and fill plugs and of course we never has issues with the 4cyl cars, just the 6cyl NA and EcoBooms from the cat/turbo heat.


bd, like your Mom's Fusion our 2017 2.3 EB Explorer also has drain & fill plugs on the PTU. We're lucky with the 4 cylinder vehicles Ford added the drain plug and increased the fluid capacity over the 3.5 V-6 engines PTU's. Plus as you said they 4 cylinders with the PTU do not expose it to the brutal heat that the V-6 does. I'm also using Amsoil Severe Gear 75W-140. I did an UOA, it's posted in the gear oil UOA section.

Whimsey


Would you Explorer drivetrain be the exact same and my parents Lincoln mkc with the 2.3 eco boost? It is also all wheel drive.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted by dan_erickson
Originally Posted by Whimsey
bd, like your Mom's Fusion our 2017 2.3 EB Explorer also has drain & fill plugs on the PTU. We're lucky with the 4 cylinder vehicles Ford added the drain plug and increased the fluid capacity over the 3.5 V-6 engines PTU's. Plus as you said they 4 cylinders with the PTU do not expose it to the brutal heat that the V-6 does. I'm also using Amsoil Severe Gear 75W-140. I did an UOA, it's posted in the gear oil UOA section.

Whimsey


Would you Explorer drivetrain be the exact same and my parents Lincoln mkc with the 2.3 eco boost? It is also all wheel drive.


Pretty much yes it will be.

 

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted by dan_erickson


Would you Explorer drivetrain be the exact same and my parents Lincoln mkc with the 2.3 eco boost? It is also all wheel drive.


With your Lincoln being AWD it definitely has the PTU. You might have the heavier duty 6F50/55 transmission instead of the lighter duty 6F35 I have. What year MKC is it? Hopefully it has the easy access drain and fill plugs and not just the fill plug where you have to siphon out the old fluid. We're impressed with the power and the decent mpg that we get from the 2.3 EcoBoost compared to the 4.6 V-8 in our 2005 Explorer.

Whimsey