Universal transmission fluid? Which one? You HAVE TO REALIZE by now, that the details matter with our engines (and transmissions)!!

Note that our transmissions have an internal thermostat that will prevent a typical flush from being very effective. I doubt that most shops use the proper procedure. The only one accepted as being a good flush procedure is the one below:

SO - Specifically where did you have your flush procedure done?

The Valvoline Max Life, specifically labeled as an acceptable replacement fluid for Mercon LV, has proven to be good to use. This fluid was touted in the early days for its use in our transmissions. Many people over the years have used it without issue, so it has "proven itself".

Over on FTE, a member has used the Royal Purple MAX ATF for 15 or so years now and his transmission is still going strong. Like Valvoline MaxLife, MAX ATF is also advertised as an acceptable fluid for transmissions that use Mercon SP/Mercon LV. Although this is a data point of ONLY one, I trust this person to tell the truth, and this fluid has been successful in his transmission for a LONG time.

There probably are other acceptable fluids for the 5R110W (probably Amsoil makes one, but I don't know for sure), but I wouldn't use them just because I haven't seen proof of their acceptable performance. There is no doubt that the proper fluid is VERY, VERY important for reliability on our transmissions.

Our transmissions are typically very good and reliable, but watch the forums. Some people have had major problems - and they are expensive to work on or replace.

Now, that being said, I have stuck with Mercon SP. I have run a fairly heavy tune for much of my trucks life. I have had no issues to date.

I do not flush the transmission. I do a series of drains and refills, with 30-50 miles of driving done in between each drain/re-fill. The driving is done to ensure complete mixing of the new fluid with the fluid left in the transmission (there is a large volume of fluid that remains in the system when you drain from the drain plug (or even when you drop the pan). I do this 4 times and call it good. Assuming complete mixing, the process I described will give you OVER 90% new fluid in the system. I do this process EVERY 25k miles. The fluid is expensive, but so is paying for a "flush".

Note that you have two transmission fluid filters. One inside the transmission and a bypass filter that is external to the transmission. The internal one does not need replacement on any pre-defined frequency. The external filter MUST BE changed every 30k miles. I change mine at 25k miles.

If you are just taking your truck to a quick fluid change place to have things like that flush done, you will eventually have problems (maybe even sooner rather than later). I have my doubts that most quick fluid change places even know about the external filter.

 

Universal transmission fluid? Which one? You HAVE TO REALIZE by now that the details matter with our engines (and transmissions)!!

Specifically where did you have this procedure done?

The Valvoline Max Life, specifically labeled as acceptable replacement for Mercon LV fluid, has proven to be good to use. This fluid was touted in the early days for its use in our transmissions. Many people over the years have used it without issue, so it has "proven itself".

Over on FTE, a member has used the Royal Purple MAX ATF for 15 or so years now and his transmission is still going strong. Like Valvoline MaxLife, MAX ATF is also advertised as an acceptable fluid for transmissions that use Mercon SP/Mercon LV. Although this is a data point of ONLY one, I trust this person to tell the truth, and this fluid has been successful in his transmission for a LONG time.

There probably are other acceptable fluids for the 5R110W, but I wouldn't use them just because I haven't seen proof of their acceptable performance. There is no doubt that the proper fluid is VERY, VERY important for reliability on our transmissions.

Our transmissions are very good and reliable, but watch the forums. Some people have had major problems - and they are expensive to work on or replace.

Now, that being said, I have stuck with Mercon SP. I have run a fairly heavy tune for much of my trucks life. I have had no issues to date.

I do not flush the transmission. I do a series of drains and refills, with 30-50 miles of driving done in between each drain/re-fill. The driving is done to ensure complete mixing of the new fluid with the fluid left in the transmission (there is a large volume of fluid that remains in the system when you drain from the drain plug (or even when you drop the pan). I do this 4 times and call it good. Assuming complete mixing, the process I described will give you OVER 90% new fluid in the system. I do this process EVERY 25k miles. The fluid is expensive, but so is paying for a "flush".

Note that you have two transmission fluid filters. One inside the transmission and a bypass filter that is external to the transmission. The internal one does not need replacement on any pre-defined frequency. The external filter MUST BE changed every 30k miles. I change mine at 25k miles.

If you are just taking your truck to a quick fluid change place to have things like that flush done, you will eventually have problems (maybe even sooner rather than later). I have my doubts that most quick fluid change places even know about the external filter.

It was done by a transmission/gear shop so I imagine they put in an acceptable fluid, but I will call them and ask to be sure. And they did replace both filters. They also did a flush and transmission acted perfectly fine even under WOT up until the alternator change.

Thanks again bismic.

 

The fluid used was Trans Star. So just for sake of trans health I'll be draining the fluid weekly and topping up with Mercon V and doing this 4 times should get the majority of the trans star stuff out of there correct or is that a bit excessive?

 

Mercon V

typo right ? it is Mercon LV or SP as stated by Mark , mercon v is a different application

 

The part number for the specific Transtar fluid that is SUPPOSED TO BE compatible with our transmissions is the "M465MVLV ". Hopefully they put the right stuff in there!!!

Does it look like that is what they filled with? They make numerous fluids for numerous applications.

This is a hard one, because not long ago the thought was that your flare issues might be alternator related. (and it certainly still could be)

Have you changed back to the old alternator to see if that resolved the "flare"?

 

The part number for the Transtar fluid that is SUPPOSED TO BE compatible with our transmissions is the "M465MVLV ". Hopefully they put the right stuff in there!!!

Does it look like that is what they filled with? They make numerous fluids for numerous applications.

This is a hard one, because not long ago the thought was that your flare issues might be alternator related.

Have you changed back to the old alternator to see if that resolved the "flare"?

Not sure what they put in exactly, but the shop is very professional and has a ton of positive reviews and done solid work on my other vehicles so I'd imagine they put the correct fluid in and the trans has been perfect since and the flaring happen immediately after the alternator/batteries were changed so I would think it's either the alternator being a POS or the tune was erased from lack of power, but in thinking about that if the tune was erased there's no way it was replaced with a stock tune as the computer doesn't hold a factory tune as a backup as far as I know and factory tune needs to be recorded when being replaced to that would indicate the custom tune is still present and the garbage alternator was somehow interfering with the transmission or the transmission is still in it's learning mode?

I'll be putting the old reman alternator back in here in a few hours then I'll do a road test and report back.

 

Background information:

Total transmission fluid in the system: 19 qts.
Amount removed in a drain cycle: 8-9 qts.
No drain plug for the Torque Converter

Unless the transmission fluid is at least 170*F, 90% of the output from the torque converter will not go to the external filter, it will be recirculated inside the trans. Once it is over 170*F the internal thermostat opens and sends much more fluid to the filter. Still, you get at least 10% flow at all times to the filter.
This limitation interferes with draining and mixing, therefore requires a fair amount of driving to take place in order for the mixing to occur. It is not typically easy to get the transmission fluid to 170 *F.

It is probably better to just flush it by the method presented in the video that I linked above. I just have to say that I have not used that procedure.

 

It is not typically easy to get the transmission fluid to 170 *F.

He has mountains in Canada.

OP - Go find a steep logging road and put it in 4x4LO and climb away. I'll bet you can get 'er to 170*F within a couple miles

-jokester

 

If the alternator has a diode issue putting out A/C voltage that could be causing the shift flare.

 

Yup - that was covered in his other thread. Waiting to see if an alternator changes that.

An alternator can also cause running issues and Sync issues due to interference (A/C voltage) with the cam and crank sensors.

 

Lol. yeah, but isn't it cold EVERYWHERE in Canada?

 

May 1st and it's only 8c outside currently and the night temp has been -4c the past week lol.

I'd rather live in New Mexico or Texas!

 

I did misunderstand about your intentions going forward with that fluid. My apologies.

 

No worries bismic and I'll try to explain myself better moving forward