PTU Change Experience

[SHUMAX]

2014 Explorer Sport. I had the PTU drained at 48k and refilled with Royal Purple Extreme Duty 75-140 by a local Firestone I use. At that time, they charged me $85. When the work was done, they commented how much of a pain it was - they had to remove the downpipe on the turbo/exhaust, etc. to get to it. The fluid that came out was thick and smelled horrible.

Now, at 89,756 miles, I had it done again. This time, with a new team at Firestone, they called me mid way through the work to tell me it was a much bigger job than they thought. They did the work for $110, but I don't think they will again in the future. I got there when they were wrapping it up. I know the tech, so I went out to look over the work. Indeed the down pipe did need to come down. But, with the right tools, it didn't look terrible - especially on a lift. He agreed. I think the front desk folks were giving me a bit more of a scare than really needed to be there. The fluid that came out was much more liquid-like and smelled like I think it should from experience around other differential oils. So, that fluid went almost 40k and was the Royal Purple.

I took a sample and plan to send it to Blackstone to have them analyze it.

I did call a local Ford dealer and they gave me the runaround about not changing it, etc. I asked them if they have ever changed a PTU on a customers car - of course we have, sir. Well, that's exactly why I want the fluid flushed. Suddenly, the quoted price was $169.99.

It stands to reason that fluid should be changed more often than not. I wonder what others' have paid to have this done on the same vehicle?

Once I get the oil report back, I'll touch base with an update.

Shumax

 

[Odrapnew]

There's another thread that has some information about the PTU fluid.
I'd say if I was charged $110 and knew it was done properly, I'd go for it. That seams reasonable for the work.
I think my dealer quoted me about the same as your dealer and that was too much for me.

I changed my own for about $15 and about 2hrs of my time. I didn't take off the downpipe. I fabricated a funnel to direct the old fluid into a catch can.
I then filled the PTU back up through the vent on the top. I used Amsoil Severe Gear fluid.

@ ~60k miles, my fluid was tinted slightly darker than the new stuff, but it wasn’t bad. It still drained out like fluid. I had it analyzed at Blackstone and they said it was more representative of a 30k mile fluid regarding wear metals and such. This was the original fluid and I have owned it since new. I plan to do another change @ ~100k miles if I keep the vehicle that long.

 

[peterk9]

There are a couple threads for the DIY'ers
How to: - PTU Oil Change (Tons of Pics) 2016 Explorer Sport
PTU and Rear Diff Fluid Change - 2011 Explorer XLT

Peter

 

[thefranchise713]

Very interested to see the Blackstone reports...

 

[SHUMAX]

 

[SHUMAX]

There are the results. I looked and the "fill" was actually the Motorcraft gear lube this time as I had it done last at ford. But, it was a 25,000 mile cycle for sure. Nice to see it was still in good shape. I was surprised how liquid it was when it came out.

Shumax

 

[thefranchise713]

Nice report--thank you for sharing.