Wrong fluid in tranny

[901Memphis]

Maxlife doesn't have the Mercon LV license but it's not a hard spec to meet, they just don't want to pay for the license.

The Motorcraft Mercon LV is a 7.5 cSt @100ºC fluid with a 205 VI so it's pretty nice though.

Maxlife is 5.9 cSt with a much lower VI at 156 but probably more shear stable than Mercon LV. I'd like to see more used oil analysis on the Mercon LV to see what happens to the viscosity after usage. I know Maxlife doesn't move at all.

 

[GenesisGuy70]

That's what I am thinking happened this time around, the "All-Vehicle" ATF they used was okay for a couple thousand miles and then it sheared too low which is giving me the issues I'm having.

Although, shearing won't really be too much of an issue with Mecron LV because I plan on doing a D&F every 30K miles so even if it does shear, it won't be in there all that long anyways. I can't imagine it would shear too much or Ford wouldn't wait until 150K miles to recommend changing it...well maybe not because after 60K miles, their power train warranty coverage is up so what do they care.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
multi vehicle atf is a no no according to my brother which has owned a trans shop for many years, he got out of the business and works in my shop now pulling engines


I do not believe thats 100% true. If for example you used Amsoil ATF (which covers many makes of cars) and your vehicle is covered, then you will be fine. Probably one of the best ATFs out there.

If you go to a quick-lube place and they put in some generic ATF and then a special additive to make it correct for your vehicle, then thats bad.

 

[38Chevy454]

I have a 2008 Ford Edge for my wife's DD, and I believe you have the same basic trans as me. Mine is AWD, but I believe the trans is similar for both FWD and AWD. I have a drain plug on the bottom of the trans. Yes the filter is inside and requires splitting the case to get at it. Drain plug is a small pipe thread plug, 1/8 pipe is what it looks like, and if memory is right the hex head is 11 mm.

I can do a drain and refill with about 4.5-5 qts. My Edge has spec of Mercon V, but my point is you might be able to do the simple drain and refill process on your Taurus to get rid of the wrong ATF. Do a couple repeats over a few weeks and most of the wrong ATF will be replaced.

 

[GenesisGuy70]

Originally Posted By: 38Chevy454
I have a 2008 Ford Edge for my wife's DD, and I believe you have the same basic trans as me. Mine is AWD, but I believe the trans is similar for both FWD and AWD. I have a drain plug on the bottom of the trans. Yes the filter is inside and requires splitting the case to get at it. Drain plug is a small pipe thread plug, 1/8 pipe is what it looks like, and if memory is right the hex head is 11 mm.

I can do a drain and refill with about 4.5-5 qts. My Edge has spec of Mercon V, but my point is you might be able to do the simple drain and refill process on your Taurus to get rid of the wrong ATF. Do a couple repeats over a few weeks and most of the wrong ATF will be replaced.


Thanks for the info. I believe it's the same transmission as well. I got a call from the shop that did the flush. I emailed them a lengthy complaint on discrepancies between what they had on my invoice and what the manufacturer actually produces so we'll see what they have to say when I give them a call back. I may have mentioned an attorney to get a quicker more thorough response and I'll have to say, the guy who left me the message sounded quite concerned and told to call back "as soon as possible". So we'll see what line of bologna they feed me. (Really BITOG, cr*p isn't allowed)

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: Throt

Thanks for the info. I believe it's the same transmission as well. I got a call from the shop that did the flush. I emailed them a lengthy complaint on discrepancies between what they had on my invoice and what the manufacturer actually produces so we'll see what they have to say when I give them a call back. I may have mentioned an attorney to get a quicker more thorough response and I'll have to say, the guy who left me the message sounded quite concerned and told to call back "as soon as possible". So we'll see what line of bologna they feed me. (Really BITOG, cr*p isn't allowed)


Like many auto repair and service shops I doubt that they simply made an honest error, more likely they think they can get away with this because no one will actually check up on their practices, well you did and they got caught using cheap stuff to pad their profits.

 

[Oil Changer]

Then you didn't search longer than 1.5 seconds. That stuff is junk.

Originally Posted By: Throt
But I've ALWAYS read good things about MaxLife, so I'm torn.

 

[Olas]

Often times the wrong fluid is better than the approved fluid.

Officially I should use Castrol syntrans with its manufacturer approvals. It's overpriced and gives bothy shifts.

In practice I use Redline, it's not certified or approved by the manufacturer, but gives better shift quality over a longer lifespan, effectively making it cheaper per day or per mile

 

[GenesisGuy70]

Well I just talked to the shop customer service manager, they want me to take it to a transmission shop that they work with and have it looked at. So that pretty much screams "hey we screwed up". And when I asked him for the specifics on the fluid he said he "didn't have the information" right after he told me they had called the fluid supplier.... Sooooo why don't you have the information? And when I insisted on knowing the fluid put in he paused and then said well just email me and I'll try and find it out for you. Yea, right.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: Throt
Well I just talked to the shop customer service manager, they want me to take it to a transmission shop that they work with and have it looked at. So that pretty much screams "hey we screwed up". And when I asked him for the specifics on the fluid he said he "didn't have the information" right after he told me they had called the fluid supplier.... Sooooo why don't you have the information? And when I insisted on knowing the fluid put in he paused and then said well just email me and I'll try and find it out for you. Yea, right.


DO NOT go to that trans shop they "work with"! They are probably working together to cover each others rear ends when they get caught
cheating or damaging a customers car. Tell them you want them to pay for the bill to take it to the shop of your choice.

As for getting the information about that incorrect fluid they put in..you need to get a sample of that product from your car and have it tested by a lab. I would tell the shop owner that you want the correct name of the supplier and if you don't get it you will be calling the state AG about their fraudulent practices.

Disgusting results Throt...but sadly nearly the entire automotive
repair and service industry is riddled with this kind of
incompetent and criminal practices. The only thing that might help change this is to have strict licensing and regulations as to who may operate a business of this type, and constant oversight by independent auditors that pay surprise visits shops at any time using secret customers and yes even customers that will possibly be paying a large number of visits to a shop posting as a long time customer...

 

[Pingeye2]

Originally Posted By: Oil Changer
Then you didn't search longer than 1.5 seconds. That stuff is junk.


With such a helpful, profound statement, I’m sure you will be following up with the empirical data to back-up your proclamation.

 

[asand1]

No, just his dead transmission that he blames the last fluid change for. Fact is, it was already dying from neglect and poor design.