Mercon v no good for transfer cases

[Turdle]

I'll just leave this here

I got the above for 8.15 per qt at local dealer.

Apparently there is a TSB on this subject.

To sum up. Mercon V is not backward compatible for transfer cases.

From the Ford Trucks Enthusiast forum site.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1358690-4x4-go-boom-4x4-owners-read.html

 

[Maniak]

Hrm... I wonder if the Mobile 1 synthetic multi vehicle ATF is no bueno too... I use that fluid for transmissions and power steering (just not on the Honda)... and I think it's in my transfer case too (been there for years.. so it's old enough to be the stuff before they called it "multi vehicle" fluid.

~Mark

 

[Turdle]

https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrica...+Steering+Fluid&category=Transmission%20Fluid

Quote from the above link for Mercon V

"Do not use in transfer cases where MERCON® ATF was previously recommended"

TSB's are in the right column of link also.

Link for xl-12 below.

https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrica...ansfer+Case+Fluid&category=Transmission Fluid

 

[Centaurus5.0]

Thanks for posting!

FYI, Amsoil recommends its multi-vehicle ATF for use in the 4404.

Edit:

In my uneducated opinion, I don't think there is any inherent problems running Mercon V. The examples given of exploding transfer cases had everything to do with vibrations from bad U-joints, high miles, driving on the highway with hubs locked and/or bad manufacturing and nothing to do with the fluid, as long as it was changed semi-regularly. But no doubt, if you left the factory fluid in for 200,000 wear would be higher than normal which would widen tolerances which would make it more prone to vibrations which would make the case more susceptible to cracking.

It was reported the transfer case runs more quiet with the new x-case fluid. That could just mean it's a thicker weight than Mercon V being a 20w, and a thicker oil is cheap insurance on an aging case, especially when you (FoMoCo) has to pay for the warranty repairs.

Some thoughts...

 

[Turdle]

Some things to note.

After the first generation, all Explorers with 4wd, or AWD have hubs that are always "locked".

If you have a 4406 installed, this results in the front drive chain rotating, even in 2wd.

The 4406 case has an internal pump.

 

[Centaurus5.0]

 

[Centaurus5.0]

It was reported the transfer case runs more quiet with the new x-case fluid. That could just mean it's a thicker weight than Mercon V being a 20w, and a thicker oil is cheap insurance on an aging case, especially when you (FoMoCo) has to pay for the warranty repairs. Some thoughts...

Nevermind.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/97-awd-transfer-case-fluid.425931/

97MarkVIII, post: 3412238, member: 283114

The ford specification for the Transfer Case Fluid (XL-12) is ESP-M2C166-H, when you look at the MSDS. The Specification in the database it's "Automatic Transmission Fluid, Dexron®, Dexron® II/IIE Trade Name Mercon, Specification #ESP-M2C166-H ".

In 2009 Ford applied for permission to use ESP-M2C166-H (Formerly MERCON) as "Ford Transfer Case Fluid" and was approved.

So there you have it the Motorcraft Transfer case fluid XL-12 is Mercon just a different name now.