Dexron 3 used in my 98 XTL 4x4? ?

[astrochimp]

Tranny lines blew up and i had to Steer into a PEP BOYS..yuk

anyways, they replaced the lines but put 1 gal of pennzoil dexron 3 on the bill sheet.
My dipstick reads Mercon 5.
I know Dexron/mercon 3...but seems like i should have the latest 5.
Is this REAL BAD? Shouldn't they put in what the manufacturer recommends or isn't this a big deal?

THANKS

 

[Green98XLT]

If your dipstick reads Mercon V and you have a 5R55 trans then you better have them drain it and put the right stuff in or you will have problems.

 

[410Fortune]

yes your trans requires 5, they are different.
Mixing a bit of 3 in there may not kill it, but its not what I would do.

 

[Blee1099]

You can get a additive that'll turn that Mercon 3 to 5. Look up Lubeguard's product, http://www.autobarn.net/mvauttranflu.html or ATP's product, http://www.usdieselparts.com/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/189591/sku/AT206/name/M_Five_Alternate

 

[410Fortune]

ah yeah forgot about that thanks Blee! I have heard NOTHING but good things about that lube guard addative, in fact it has become pretty much industry standard....

 

[Blee1099]

I have a few bottles of Lubeguards product. I carry them for when I'm wheeling in case I can't find Mercon 5.

 

[astrochimp]

I just saw the note about the additive but the question is Should Pep boys list
"1gal Pennzoil Dexron III" QTY 2 on the bill? and that's it?

What if I had this on warranty..wouldn't that void it?

The steel line cracked where it went into the rubber hose in the front..supposedly. so they did this-

cut off about 6" of steel line(rusted) and removed the rubber line up to the cooler.
They put on a longer piece of rubber hose and 2 screw clamps.
Put in 2 gallons of dexron 3

Total - 143.15

They actually wrote on the bill
OIL LEAK DIAGNOSTIC PACKAGE
Diagnostic Labor 22.00
Tracer Engine Oil DYE 5.99

THERE'S A Broken Line SPRAYING out Transmission fluid! Right in Plain SiGHT.
THey didn't use any OIL DYE..What a joke


Lastly, I open the hood when i got home and there a QUART Container of TRANNY FLUID sitting on top of my ENGINE?

DAMN i hate pep boys

I Do appreciate all the INPUT..i'm about to call the manager and I need to have all my facts straight

Just got off the phone and manager said Dexron 3 can be used in this vehicle per the FORD dealer manual or wutever he was referring to.
My haynes manual read Mercon V, and the dipstick reads Mercon 5.

http://www.explorerforum.com/ntrprize/spec1998.htm
reads i have a 5R55e

 

[Glacier991]

The 5R55E never used or uses Dexron III, that is a crock. It needs V, but like others have said you can get an additive at any transmission supply shop that will give the necessary properties to make III act like V. Now in a crunch, roadside I would a quart or 2 of III in the 5R55 to get it running again, and not lay awake worrying about it... but 8 quarts ? NO WAY !!!

Meanwhile it is not like your trannie is gonna die with III in it... but I'd see about getting that additive. Lubegard company makes a product in a green bottle JUST for this situation.... here it is:

Sometimes you will hear it called Lubegard Green, or Green bottle, because:

Anyway sorry for your trouble, but your fix will run ya about $15 or less. Lesson about Pep Boys.

PS. If your Pep Boys advisor can SHOW me where FORD ever said it was OK to use Mercon III in the 5R55E, I'll buy the shop a case of beer.

pps. Sorry about the crappy pix, I just grabbed em quick like and the lighting sucked and the lens had a smudge. (DOH !)

 

[BrooklynBay]

I don't want to get too much off of the topic, but does a Frankentranny use Mercon V, and have the same band specs like a 5R55E?

 

[Glacier991]

Yes. ALthough I recommend full syn.

 

['97 V8]

begion hijack...my 97 takes mercon V right?

 

[Glacier991]

Starting with the 1997 models of the 4R55 and 5R55 FORD started using Mercon V. I believe they even recommended using it in prior years of those transmissions back to 95, but am not certain. So, yes you are a MERC V customer. OR full synthetic.... which is another issue as to which of them meet the standard.

 

[astrochimp]

Anyways..
Per the dipstick, the Haynes manual, and the Ford Dealership..
My transmission should have Mircon 5 in it.
I call Pep boys back and talk to the manager and he STILL Sticks my his 'the Dexron III Mercon Pennzoil fluid is compatible with Mercon 5'

So I Call PENNZOIL and talk to the Tech there...he says Hell No it's not Forwards compatible it's only backwards compatible.

So I call back with this call information and manager finally folds..
I get a fluid change.
Wonder how many Trannys they've filled with Dexron 3 when it should have been Mircon 5...

 

[410Fortune]

It is okay to repair the metal lines with hose clamps, however its also a good idea to at least put a simple flare on the end of the now cut metal line before clamping on the new longer hose.
If they did not flare the line I suggest you run double hose clamps.

 

[351wExplorer]

also BG Chemicals, i use there atf cleaner and additave with all tranny flushes that i do at work. We use dexron 3 in everything, as long as we use the bg atf additive with it. The stuff works pretty good. Ive bought trannys back from the dead with these...( well cured some slipping)

 

[Glacier991]

I knew my case of beer was safe.

 

[IZwack]

Now in a crunch, roadside I would a quart or 2 of III in the 5R55 to get it running again, and not lay awake worrying about it... but 8 quarts ? NO WAY !!!

I for one can attest to 2 quarts of III in a '98 Explorer after hitting a light post in a snow storm and the transmission line was severed by the bumper right before it entered the cooler. After bypassing the cooler, 2 qrts was enough to get the vehicle to the closest hardware store to remove the wrecked bumper, reconnect the cooler and get more ATF.

 

[Bills98Explorer]

also BG Chemicals, i use there atf cleaner and additave with all tranny flushes that i do at work. We use dexron 3 in everything, as long as we use the bg atf additive with it. The stuff works pretty good. Ive bought trannys back from the dead with these...( well cured some slipping)

At the Ford dealership I use to work at thata what we did.Matter of fact when my tranny was last serviced thats what we put in mine.

 

[rickvo]

You could accually save$

Dextron 3 with the additive is way cheaper!! that merc V is as expensive as Dom Perignon