Awful looking Mercon LV under 20k

[willix]

Is Mercon LV turning dark normal? The Ford service dept. says it is. I just have never seen transmission fluid this dark before at this early point in mileage. Any others driving Ford, Mazda, have these 6F35 6-speed OD automatic do this to the oil?.

Mercon LV 17,600mi

Mercon LV-17,600mi

Mercon LV 17,600mi

Mercon LV 17,600mi

 

[AzFireGuy79]

Many Toyota lexus platforms have this same issue(its not an issue for the toyota/lexus vehicles, people just think it is). Many of the new transmissions are using exotic materials(carbon fiber etc) and it turns the fluid dark rather quickly as UOA's are showing good values for the most part. I noticed dark WS atf in my Lexus with only 23k, but it looks great 10k later still using WS. Maybe a little dark, but remember, color is not a reliable indicator of fluid condition. All atf starts out clear and dyes are added later. Some can wear out rather quickly depending. Not saying this is your issue. I would get a UOA done on the used LV atf.

 

[The motor guy]

people will probably just mistake the tranny dipstick for the engine oil dipstick.

 

[willix]

Originally Posted By: AzFireGuy79
Many Toyota lexus platforms have this same issue(its not an issue for the toyota/lexus vehicles, people just think it is). Many of the new transmissions are using exotic materials(carbon fiber etc) and it turns the fluid dark rather quickly as UOA's are showing good values for the most part. I noticed dark WS atf in my Lexus with only 23k, but it looks great 10k later still using WS. Maybe a little dark, but remember, color is not a reliable indicator of fluid condition. All atf starts out clear and dyes are added later. Some can wear out rather quickly depending. Not saying this is your issue. I would get a UOA done on the used LV atf.
I realize the smell is more important than the color. It is just hard to get use to this being normal. The more I hear explanations as quoted the more comfortable things will get.

 

[SuperDave456]

I agree with the previous post about carbon parts.
From what the sales guy at the Texas State Fair said there is a lot of carbon fiber parts and that it will turn black pretty quickly. This was 2 years ago when they started talking about the Ecoboost series of engines and the new turbocharged Taurus's. I asked him about CVT's and their MERCON series of fluids.
All he knew about was the carbon fiber parts turning things black within a few thousand miles and that customers should not be concerned about it.

Nice cars, but we will have to see how they hold up, I only buy used. They are nowhere as practical as the older Ford Taurus.

I agree with the smell. That is the best measure of Mercon V and LV currently that I know of.

 

[djquik1]

It is ok....Mine has 3k on it and looks like that already, do a UOA and it will show up fine....Are you driving hard, been stuck in the snow, got it hot? etc

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: willix
Is Mercon LV turning dark normal?

I just changed the fluid in my 2010 Ford FX4 with the 6R80 transmission--it had 13,300 miles on it. The fluid in my truck was almost as dark as what you have posted. I have not had any problems and the truck and transmission have never been overheated. Additionally, my truck has the towing package with a large transmission cooler.

I have to think this is "normal" for the Mercon LV fluid. I will be sending a sample to Blackstone for a UOA and will post the results.

 

[unDummy]

When in doubt, UOA. Dark ATF is normal for many fluids. Please don't fall for the dark materials or silly exotic CF bands/clutches. If they shed that much material, you're headed for a short AT life.

I wish that they'd one day quit using red dye coloring, as every brand will use whatever brand and amount(tint). We don't need it. Obviously, the automakers still have no faith in their technicians being able to tell fluids apart. Reading the label or dipstick is too hard to do for many.

I'm not overly impressed by ANY of the OE fluids, and will continue to recommend 30k changes for ATF.

 

[willix]

It is difficult to just dismiss the discoloration due to the fact these 6F35 6-speed units are failing at a high rate at low miles.

 

[AzFireGuy79]

Maybe, although unlikely the fluid alone is the culprit.

 

[unDummy]

High failure rate? Surely you jest. Since the R&D budget was cut, the transmission was released for mass public testing instead. So, its not a failure. Its an engineering test.

If you own a 6F35, exercise the TSB collection and buy the extended warranty.

 

[willix]

This car has a whine when started cold, I haven't been able to pinpoint the origin of it.

I found this Ford transmission specialist at a dealer in Seattle, WA. that said this on this Fusion forum in post #5 ;
Fusionforum