Tranny Fluid Prices

[chips2000]

I am ready to change tranny oil and was checking out the different brands prices. This is for Delco III Mercon. Chevron is $1.89 qt, Valvoline is $2.49 qt and Castrol is $2.99 qt. The difference makes quite an impact on the total bill. I do not mind paying for more expensive oil if I know there is a difference. Does anybody know?

Thanks!

Chips2000

 

[JimmyDee]

Yes it will if you pay $4.99 a qt for Moblil 1, synthetic. 100 degrees higher break down temp, and better heat disipation. Your tranny will love it. Just make sure you don't use Mercon V. It will destroy your tranny in a short time. Also don't use an ATF that has a duel rating (Mercon III/Mercon V). Use only a Mercon/Dexron III rating as per your book.
Don't forget a replacement for your tranny starts at 3 grand and goes up from there for a really good one like a BTS.
Jim

 

[chips2000]

I had the fluid changed about 400 mi ago at a shop and then took it back because the pan was leaking. They said that the stock pans will start leaking after a while (I have 129,000 mi on this truck) and they could replace it with an upgraded pan for $120 plus fluid and labor. I decided to order a PML sand cast aluminum pan and install it myself. I can do a partial oil change, but I do not think I can do the TC. I did not consider Mobile 1 because I was not sure you can mix the two different types of fluid.

Thanks!

Chips2000

 

[JimmyDee]

2001 is the last year with the T/C drain. The new way to change it is to pump it out by emptying the pan adding 7 qts, starting the engine, letting run until it stops flowing. Then shut off, refill with 6-7 qts 2 more times, then level off with up to 2 additional qts. This takes 20 qts and is calmed to change over 95% of the fluid.
Mobil 1 will mix and is compatible with any other fluid. You can go the the Mobil 1 ATF and read all about it. If you use the Mobil 1, you have done the best for your tranny.
Jim

 

[CPUNeck]

I had the fluid changed about 400 mi ago at a shop and then took it back because the pan was leaking. They said that the stock pans will start leaking after a while (I have 129,000 mi on this truck) and they could replace it with an upgraded pan for $120 plus fluid and labor. I decided to order a PML sand cast aluminum pan and install it myself. I can do a partial oil change, but I do not think I can do the TC. I did not consider Mobile 1 because I was not sure you can mix the two different types of fluid.

Thanks!

Chips2000

You can mix them, even though you'd be losing some of the advantage. If I'm not mistaken, you might have a drain plug on your T/C. Just make sure you have the tool to turn the flywheel and don't try and shadetree it like I did You don't even want to know!

 

[hheynow]

I'm using Redline synthetic ATF for higher temperature protection and extended drain intervals.

 

[Snowman269]

Yeah I did the Mobil 1 & my 01' does NOT have the drain on the T/C. I'll be going BTS in the future, likely in the next year. Otherwise I'd put a drain in it.

 

[chips2000]

My truck is an early '99 so I must have a T/C drain plug, but I do not have a tool. Also, the new PML aluminum pan I am using adds another 3.5 quarts, so I will be using 23.5 quarts doing it JimmyDees way. I thought about using Redline, but I cannot find it locally and I need to do the job this weekend. Thank you all for the replies.

Chips2000

 

[JimmyDee]

Also, the new PML aluminum pan I am using adds another 3.5 quarts, so I will be using 23.5 quarts doing it JimmyDees way.

Not my way necessarily. A Ford tranny engineer named Mark Kovalsky posted this processes a while back on another site and is now the Ford approved way of doing it.
I do pull the pan for the first change because I like to get the crap out of it. Lots of metal on the bottom always. I would think if Ford thought it was good to have it in there, they would add some in every qt of oil they sold.
Jim

 

[chips2000]

LOL!!