Tranny Service 5R100W March 03, 2020, 04:58:43 pm I’m taking my 2005 MB in for a 60k service. They’ll do a a radiator flush and refill, engine oil and filter, trans oil and filters and differential drain and refill. The shop manager recommended full synthetic for replacing all lubricants. I hesitate using a mercon transmission synthetic in lieu of the Mercon SP transmission fluid. Does anyone have experience with the synthetic trans fluid?Macmarty
Re: Tranny Service 5R100W Reply #1 – March 03, 2020, 10:55:44 pm Quote from: Macmarty - March 03, 2020, 04:58:43 pmI’m taking my 2005 MB in for a 60k service. They’ll do a a radiator flush and refill, engine oil and filter, trans oil and filters and differential drain and refill. The shop manager recommended full synthetic for replacing all lubricants. I hesitate using a mercon transmission synthetic in lieu of the Mercon SP transmission fluid. Does anyone have experience with the synthetic trans fluid?MacmartyWhen our 4L100 was rebuilt by Ford transmission specialist John Wood, he filled it with Valvoline synthetic and recommended staying with the 30,000 fluid change interval. He feel it is a superior lubricant.MaxLife™ Multi-Vehicle ATF : Product Catalog - Valvoline™I was surprised the Valvoline synthetic wasn't more expensive . It takes 5-1/2 gallons of fluid to totally flush the transmission, $105 for 6 gallons at Walmart .Check your owner's manual to check for the transmission fluid specifications for your model of transmission.nonConfig - Walmart.comThat said, there are plenty of long lived transmission that used dyno oil, changed at the recommended intervals.It is recommended not to use synthetics in old Jeep Cherokee transmissions, go figure..The manufacturer's latest recommendations is the safest path
Re: Tranny Service 5R100W Reply #2 – March 04, 2020, 03:17:22 pm Thank you for the info Larry. Took the 2005 MB Too a new service and repair shop”High Desert Auto and RV.”The owner Brett convinced me that the full synthetic was superior to the Mercon SP, in every aspect. He also recommend the Vavoline Maxi life full synthetic ATF. I was impressed with his new shop, as he does a lot of fleet maintenance and total drive train repair on gas, diesel trucks and RV’s. Hopefully I’ve found a one stop service facility in the High Desert area of So Calif.Macmarty 2005 MB
Re: Tranny Service 5R100W Reply #3 – March 12, 2020, 06:37:07 pm The 4R100 in my F350 (7.3L diesel 4x4) was rebuilt by John Wood in Holtville. I returned the truck to him for the 30K flush and replace and after the job, John told me to stretch the next trans fluid replace to 40K miles based on the looks and smell of the trans fluid.My truck transmission spends nearly 100% of it's time towing and hauling and running hard. John builds a great transmission. If he says extend the mileage on the synthetic fluid, that is what I will do.YMMVHarold 1 Likes
Re: Tranny Service 5R100W Reply #4 – March 15, 2020, 12:38:37 pm Not the same transmission, but related. It was eye opening for me when I switched to synthetic in my 97 F250 E40D transmission early on after buying it new.I have aftermarket gauges installed, including transmission temp. There was an immediate 20 degree reduction in temps across the board, towing or not, when I switched to synthetic. I'll not pretend to understand why, although I've some theories - but it was immediate and real.Many of you may be aware the E40D, predecessor to the 4R100 is not known for long-term reliability - especially when put under routine loads. My Powerstroke diesel is chipped, exhaust and air intake opened up, and I routinely tow in excess of 10K lbs. The transmission is original and still shifts like new. Suffice it to say, synthetic is in all my transmissions. 1 Likes
Re: Tranny Service 5R100W Reply #5 – March 15, 2020, 12:54:07 pm A chipped 7.3L diesel in an F series pickup pulling a heavy trailer is a potent transmission destroyer. If synthetic trans fluid extends the transmission life, it is well worth the cost.Harold2 blown E4OD3 blown 4R1001 John Wood Transmission with synthetic fluid which pulls and runs perfectly, and for more miles than any stock Ford trans.
Re: Tranny Service 5R100W Reply #6 – March 15, 2020, 01:18:44 pm Quote from: Blueox25 - March 15, 2020, 12:54:07 pmA chipped 7.3L diesel in an F series pickup pulling a heavy trailer is a potent transmission destroyer. If synthetic trans fluid extends the transmission life, it is well worth the cost.Harold2 blown E4OD3 blown 4R1001 John Wood Transmission with synthetic fluid which pulls and runs perfectly, and for more miles than any stock Ford trans.John Wood transmissions are built to withstand the stress of chipped diesel engines. He builds the same transmissions for gas engines with the exception of a different torque converter and valve body adjustments to allow for smooth shifting.Both the diesel and gas engine receive a billet torque converter.I must admit, I had a good time and learned a lot watching John rebuild our LD's transmission and was impressed with the quality of the parts used and his deep knowledge of automatic transmissions.4R100 rebuild | FlickrLarry 1 Likes
Re: Tranny Service 5R100W Reply #7 – March 15, 2020, 04:32:21 pm For those who haven't read earlier discussions about John Wood, here's a recap. John worked for Ford for ten years, doing nothing but rebuild their transmissions. As you'd imagine, he became very familiar with which parts were prone to failure. When John left Ford and started an independent transmission repair business, he not only rebuilt transmissions, but installed beefed-up versions of critical parts. He replaces cheap stamped parts with machined parts (e.g., torque converters machined from billet stock), many of which he has custom-made. It's worth noting that while a trip to his southern California shop is well worthwhile, if you're too far away for that, he will ship a rebuilt transmission to your local shop. I'd take one of John's beefed-up rebuilds over anybody else's.
Re: Tranny Service 5R100W Reply #8 – March 15, 2020, 05:50:06 pm Like Larry, John allowed me to watch him as he overhauled my transmission. Mostly I kept my mouth shut and my eyes and ears open. He pointed out parts that were near failure and showed me the difference between the new replacement pieces and the stock Ford stuff. There were cryogenically treated parts, pieces made from billet, custom parts, and Allison snap rings. John was clearly proud of his work. It was impressive and resulted in a Franken-transmission that is unlikely to fail, even under heavy use. He replaced the seals in my transfer case because it was already out and foolish not to replace such an important and relatively inexpensive part. Even more important, he diagnosed and replaced a leaking doughnut gasket that Ford put in the up-pipe (a diesel only pipe from the exhaust manifold to the turbo) and replaced the leaky Ford piece with the original International Harvester gasket that Ford replaced with a crappy, cheap replacement. That repair alone made the engine quieter and made more power.John does one transmission a day, four days a week and is booked for months. He builds a great transmission. When the Lazy Daze 5R110 feels sick, I hope John is still in business and the Lazy Daze will get one.Harold 1 Likes
Re: Tranny Service 5R100W Reply #9 – March 15, 2020, 06:32:04 pm If the 4R100 fails on my 2003, I just hope I'm near Holtville, and it's not July or August!
Re: Tranny Service 5R100W Reply #10 – March 15, 2020, 06:38:43 pm Yes, Holtville can be VERY hot in the warmer months.
Re: Tranny Service 5R100W Reply #11 – March 15, 2020, 07:06:45 pm Quote from: Andy Baird - March 15, 2020, 06:38:43 pmYes, Holtville can be VERY hot in the warmer months.Brutal is how I would describe the summers . It came as quite a shock to my great-grandparents who moved to Holtville in 1905, thinking it would be a paradise compared to frigid winters of Minnesota, where they were born. Growing up, I had over a dozen relatives living in the area . Today, all have left for cooler climes.FYI, John Wood’s machine shop and transmission assembly area are well air conditioned and his yard has 30-amp hookup, if you wait. For summer repairs, I suggest dropping the rig off and heading to San Diego for a couple of days.Larry 1 Likes
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