Did I just use the wrong transmission fluid?

[ualdriver]

Originally Posted by chboone

Easiest way to correct it is buy 4 gallons on Mercon LV, drain and refill. Drive to get thermostat to open, drain and refill again. If you want to make sure all the Mercon is out do the procedure again.

Yeah, but will that get rid of ALL the particulate? Doing a double drain, I'd have up to 12.5% of the old Mercon fluid left over, correct?

[Mark Kovalsky]

Originally Posted by ualdriver

So how do failing solenoids manifest themselves?

By bad or missed shifts. Some gears won't be available because the solenoid that controls it is stuck.

If you are not having any shifting issues, you're most likely fine.

[chboone]

Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky

It's impossible to say. The problem with the older fluids such as MERCON is that when it was a licensed fluid there was particulate matter in the fluid. It was there by design, and the older transmissions didn't have an issue with it. The newer transmissions have incredibly small clearances in the solenoids, and this particulate matter is just the right size to get stuck in the solenoids, causing poor solenoid operation. Since the entire trans is controlled by solenoids, that's a problem.

I don't know if the Valvoline Dex/Merc has this particulate matter. There is no longer any licensed MERCON fluids. If you read the fine print on the bottle it says, "For use in transmissions that required DEXRON (the GM spec) or MERCON fluids." Who knows what's in this fluid? Nobody except Valvoline. When Ford licensed MERCON, it was known what was in it. Now it literally can be anything that Valvoline wants to sell for use in these older transmissions.

Mark,
What about Amsoil Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid compared to Mercon? I have been using it in my 4R100 for about 3 years. I know it's pricey.
Thank you

[ualdriver]

Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky

By bad or missed shifts. Some gears won't be available because the solenoid that controls it is stuck.

If you are not having any shifting issues, you're most likely fine.

Sorry to pester you Mark, but I don't have the ear of transmission engineers too often : )

Assuming the Jiffy Lube doesn't have the heated fluid machine......So when you say I'm most likely fine if I'm not having any shifting issues, how should I rectify this? Should I let it go? Should I do a couple of drain, drives, and fills? Should I find a Ford dealer that has the heated fluid machine?

[Mark Kovalsky]

Originally Posted by chboone

Mark,
What about Amsoil Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid compared to Mercon? I have been using it in my 4R100 for about 3 years. I know it's pricey.
Thank you

I'm not a big fan of Amsoil. I'll just leave it at that.

Originally Posted by ualdriver

Sorry to pester you Mark, but I don't have the ear of transmission engineers too often : )

Assuming the Jiffy Lube doesn't have the heated fluid machine......So when you say I'm most likely fine if I'm not having any shifting issues, how should I rectify this? Should I let it go? Should I do a couple of drain, drives, and fills? Should I find a Ford dealer that has the heated fluid machine?

That's a dilemma. I can argue it either way, change it again, or don't change it again. I'm leaning towards not, because you haven't mentioned any shifting issues. The transmission filter will remove the particulates over time.

[chboone]

Originally Posted by ualdriver

Yeah, but will that get rid of ALL the particulate? Doing a double drain, I'd have up to 12.5% of the old Mercon fluid left over, correct?

Depends on how much Jiffy Lube replaced with the LV.

[ualdriver]

Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky

I'm not a big fan of Amsoil. I'll just leave it at that.


That's a dilemma. I can argue it either way, change it again, or don't change it again. I'm leaning towards not, because you haven't mentioned any shifting issues. The transmission filter will remove the particulates over time.

Thanks Mark for letting me know about this.

[RRR]

Interesting thread.

This one reason when it comes to transmission fluid in my Fords I just stop by my Ford dealer and buy MotorCraft. I was never a fan of mixing brands of oils. You just never know how the different ones will mix with each other.

As for engine oil I go to WM and buy MotorCraft simply because they sell it for $20/gallon. I do put on a ski mask and sun glasses before I go into WM so no one recognizes me, then promptly take a shower because I feel so dirty after shopping there.

[Mark Kovalsky]

Originally Posted by RRR

Interesting thread.

This one reason when it comes to transmission fluid in my Fords I just stop by my Ford dealer and buy MotorCraft. I was never a fan of mixing brands of oils. You just never know how the different ones will mix with each other.

As for engine oil I go to WM and buy MotorCraft simply because they sell it for $20/gallon. I do put on a ski mask and sun glasses before I go into WM so no one recognizes me, then promptly take a shower because I feel so dirty after shopping there.

Even if you only use Motorcraft fluids you can buy the wrong fluid and be in the same pickle.

[BellevilleRv]

Im about to change the fluid on my 1999 4R100 its showing 53000 miles not sure when the last service was I have owned for about 2 years I was leaning toward Amsoil the Mercon replacement one what is the best oil I should be using anyone have any others out there that will out perform Ford stock oil .I have had great luck with Amsoil in other vehicles in the past

[Mark Kovalsky]

I like Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF.

[BellevilleRv]

Im in Canada so we don't always have a good source for some products I do the Mobile 1 for engine oil from Canadian Tire when on sale but the Mobile 1 tranny fluid is about 16 dollars a litre " ouch " is right also they never stock more than 5 litres or so and I can get a price break on the Amsoil at my local parts dealer for 10 dollars a litre x 20 litres
I will look around a bit to look for Mobile 1 even the WM stores in the area don't stock it

[RRR]

Mark, agree about getting the wrong product at the Ford Store.

What is your opinion of mixing brands?

[Mark Kovalsky]

Mixing brands wouldn't be my first choice, but it shouldn't cause any problems.