Ford mercon V, can I use amsoil?

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97flairside

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Im coming up on my next transmission fluid change in my 4r70w. Ford recommends mercon V they also charge way to much to do it. And alot of times skip out on the changing of the filter. This time i would like to do it.

My question is, Do I only add what was takin out when I drop the pan and pull the filter? Or should I just take it to a transmission shop to do the fluid change? I've never done this before.
 
Since I pull a travel trailer, I've had my F-150 flushed by the Ford dealer twice, and the filter changed. When I switched to Amsoil, I took it to a local shop, replaced what was in the pan. The torque converter wasn't drained since the old fluid looked good. With 87,000 miles, and a lot of towing miles at that, the transmission has held up very well. You might want to get an extra torque converter drain bolt before you drain the torque converter, just in case. The pan gasket is re-useable, of course.
 
drop the pan change filter refill the trans to the full mark. amsoil atf will work. thats what i got in my 98 f150 and its doing a good job
 
I just did the pan and torque converter on my 01 this weekend. Draining the converter is very easy once you spin the drain plug into view. The only problem is if you are doing it yourself you are going to be heading under the car and up again many times until it comes into view. It is easier if you have a victim, er- helper under the car to watch for the plug coming around. I buzzed the starter until I could just feel it and then turned the engine with a socket. It's kind of like playing the slots. The drain plug had loc-tite but came off easy. If the pan has never been done make sure you take out the plastic "Cracker Jack Prize" plug that floats in there, it's left over from assembly.
 
I have over 35,000 miles on Amsoil Universal ATF in my 2001 F150 and it seems to work great. No complaints - tows solid with no slipping.

If you have a torque wrench and a little mechanical skill, I recommend tackling it yourself. Drain the torque converter, and change the filter. You'll need about 12 quarts of ATF. Listen to rgl and review this link with instructions.
 
since your pan most likely does not have a drain plug (my cougar's 4R70W didnt have one either), i suggest you get one from B&M, or similar, which can be purchased at auto parts stores, or online like on summitracing.com for like $7.....this way, you can drain the pan yourself with out having to drop it later on....all you need is a 1/2" drill bit to make the hole in the pan for it....and i recommend you get the drain plug welded to the pan so it doesnt come loose when tightening the bolt

just my 2 cents
 
Thanks guys. How long do you think it would take me to drain both the torque converter and transmission? How much do you think i'll loose and have to replace?
 
I just did the 4r70w on my '99 a few months ago. In total, I needed 13 quarts to bring the transmission back up to the full mark. That was with dropping the pan, swapping the filter, and draining the torque convertor.

The torque convertor doesn't drain terribly fast, (mine took around an hour), so plan on a little time. If you only drop the pan, and don't drain the convertor, you'll only get 4 or so quarts swapped.

Getting the torque convertor drain bolt to appear was easy for me, anyways. I just laid under the truck with my feet pointed out the front. While laying under the inspection hole, I used an 18" breaker bar to turn the engine until it appeared. Simple, actually.

I found a nice writeup over at F150online that I used while doing mine.
 
If you want a OEM Ford Pan for your 4R70W here is the part number

F8UZ-7A194-AA pan w/drain plug
F6AZ-7A098-A Filter assembly

If your current pan has the bulge in the bottom you already have the filter referenced above. If your current pan (older vehicles) has the flat pan make sure to get the above filter or your pickup will be too short.

The newer pan with the bump in the bottom was released to get rid of a cavitation issue (pump sucking air during hill climbing etc.)

These are good transmissions. Change the oil regularly (every 15 to 30K) and you will get lots of miles out of it.
 
People with good 4R70W transmissions don't complain
smile.gif


The torque convertor shudder is the biggest problem but for the most part if you don't abuse the snot of it and maintain it you will get good long life out of them.

There are exceptions. There are also much worse transmissions out there.

To each his own.
 
I love my AODE. With the addition of an external cooler, valvebody mods, performance converter, and Mercon V, it is working great at 94k miles.

I think the new 4R70W is pretty good "out of the box". My AODE is a 1995, and needed (IMO) the above upgrades to make it a reliable performance trans.
 
Hate to differ with you but there are lots of Ford owners who will disagree with you. Those transmissions have had their problems. Doesn't matter if the fluids were changed out religiously or not. Luck of the draw I guess.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Schmoe:
Hate to differ with you but there are lots of Ford owners who will disagree with you. Those transmissions have had their problems. Doesn't matter if the fluids were changed out religiously or not. Luck of the draw I guess.
Click to expand...
I guess I got lucky. Mine has 246K miles.
 
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