Question about Mercon vs Dextron II

ovysimac

ovysimac

Registered
To all M8 gurus:

I took your advice and told the guys at Pep Boys to use Mercon when they replacwd the AT fluid. The idiot at the counter wrote on the W/O "Dex II". I tore the w/o and had him make another one with "Mercon" written as the ATF to be used. The next day I was reassured that they used Mercon, but the invoice still showed "Dextron II/Mercon". Don't you love these guys (errr...:+ )!?!

I drove about 700 mi since (3 weeks) and the car runs/shifts good, but I have two questions:
1) Is there a way to figure out what fluid they used, short of a lab analysis? What it smels like? What would be the difference in smell from Dextron II?
2) What are the benefite of Mercon V vs Dextron II?
BTW: The 1993 M8 manual recommends Dextron II.
Thanks a bunch.
 
RE: Question about Mercon vs Dextron II

Mercon V is far superior to Mercon III aka Mercon as well as Dextron II. Mercon V can sustain much higher temperatures without breaking down and it aids in shudder free TC operation. I suggest flushing the transmission and refilling Mercon V if you want it to last for a long time.
 
RE: Question about Mercon vs Dextron II

....Mercon V was not out when your '93 Mk8 was manufactured, hence the Mercon/Dextron II recommendation. Since Mercon V has been out, it is now recommended for your transmission.

Bud Pytko
'97 LSC Silver Frost
'05 F250 SD CC PSD 4 X 4 AZ Beige
'94 Prowler 5th Wheel
http://squarebirds.org/images/BudPytko97LSC.jpg
 
RE: Question about Mercon vs Dextron II

FLM changed their recomendations for transmission fluid in these transmissions to Mercon V back in 2001.
 
RE: Question about Mercon vs Dextron II

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
Is there a way to figure out what fluid they used, short of a lab analysis?
[/div]

I believe dextron has detergent in it, while Mercon does not...but I'm not 100% sure on that, nor do I know how to test for detergent.
 
RE: Question about Mercon vs Dextron II

Immediately, go back to what idiot that put Dexron into a Ford, make them replace it immediately with a full flush with Mercon 5. No substitutes to be accepted from '93 4R70's ON, nomatter what the owners manual says. Do it now and your trans will last like it should. Mercon 5 seems to be special, never lost a '93 ON Ford auto trans with it in it. If you drive it hard, be sure to get an aux trans cooler.

Mercon 5, plus a couple extra quarts to flush.. as soon as you get it.. cross your fingers, it should live with a shift kit unless the trans needs help from the start. Also, remember, low gears (Like 3.73's) place less strain on trans, bushings, drive shaft, diff bushings, rear bushings) than the stock 3.08's.. the slightly worn stock stuff will be under less torque load and won't need replacement first thing. Except for the obvious sub engineered things, these cars last a loong time if not abused and well maintained, and are a joy to drive.

your mileage may vary of course

mark
 
RE: Question about Mercon vs Dextron II

There is a very minute chance that the mechanic indeed put Mercon V in my transmission, as she said she did. I'm going to buy a quart of Mercon V and see if it smells like the fluid I have in the transmission right now. I understand that Mercon V smells way differently than Mercon III/Dextron II. Is that true?? Thanks.
 
RE: Question about Mercon vs Dextron II

Dexron smells slightly sweet? Mercon V has a pungent 'dirty diaper' smell. :B

Definitely a difference between the two.
 
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