Transmission work needed at 50,000 per Ford dealer

[Msfitoy]

I doubt tranny fluid would still be bright red like new after 20K miles but I think I'll try out the Lube Guard...I'm in around 30K with the new trans so it's probably prudent to do a fluid exchange now...

I'll post pics of the color and see if it's bright red or bright brown...

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[Msfitoy]

"Ford has seen the writing on the wall and they are trying to get ahead of a recall and/or trying to put a good face forward."

Maybe they should have thought of this before they used us as beta testers instead of fielding a proven product to start with.

They can instantly turn me from a Ford bomb thrower to a supporter by...giving me back my $6,000 trans replacement...

 

[TJC]

I doubt tranny fluid would still be bright red like new after 20K miles but I think I'll try out the Lube Guard...I'm in around 30K with the new trans so it's probably prudent to do a fluid exchange now...

I'll post pics of the color and see if it's bright red or bright brown...

There was NO TRACE of red. it was almost BLACK. When I wiped my dipstick there was dark brown stain with a trace of black on the towel.

I just got back from a 60 miles trip testing the transmission after putting 10oz of Lubeguard Platinum ATF Protectant (the full bottle) with 6.5 quarts of ULV down Fitz's excellent Transmission dipstick.

The preliminary results are excellent. Smooth shifts up and down the range I couldn't even feel the shifts from 5 up! I was hopeful but wasn't counting on things getting better. But they got a great deal better! No more jerks or gears hanging on when slowing to a stop.

WARNING! This is a sample of one, and only the first drive. If it lasts I will be extremely pleased. My transmission acts up in the summer heat. So the next 3-4 will validate this initial drive.

Thanks ctechbob for the tip!

 

[TJC]

I found this review of LubeGuard Platinum on Amazon from a verified buyer with a 2018 F150 - Might be worth the read.

I so hope this stuff has put a permanent end to my transmission issues.
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I’m not a fan of transmission additives. In my experience, there’s no substitute for fresh atf, and additives are bandaids. That said, lubeguard has a good reputation, and I’ve successfully used other variants in the past to adapt fluids for different applications.

While I’m again not a fan of additives, a mere 2oz of this has absolutely resolved harsh shifting in my 2018 f150 10r80 transmission. This transmission has steadily gotten worse, misses shifts up from 3rd, banged or delayed shifts and otherwise was poor at best. The dealer was little help, resetting the adaptives which indeed helped some, but not totally.

The proper LG dose is about 12 oz for this transmission, but again I didn’t want to change the fluid characteristics. My theory is there’s something sticking in the valve body. So I used just under 1/4 bottle (2 oz or so) and within 15 minutes of driving it was just as good as it was when new.

Since Ford isn’t really saying what’s wrong with this transmission, I don’t know if this is something that would benefit all, or is even something anyone else should do. But, it worked very well for mine.

 

[Buckbull]

After suffereing from analysis paralysis for the last year I finally decided on a course of action with my transmission strategy. I think that it is sound and will protect my extended warranty coverage.

I've been sitting on my PPE deep pan for 18 months, worried that Ford would use it as a reason not to honor their warranty if I install it and my transmission problems continue to worsen.

I have 20,200 miles in my Ranger and the transmission has been erratic since about 5K miles. It seems fine for awhile then has bouts of hard shifting. No pattern that I can discern.

I plan to change the fluid without removing the pan immediately, and add Lubeguard Platinum ATF Protectant (1oz / quart of ULV ATF - Thanks ctechbob), then do the same at 5K-10K intervals to see if the problems clear up. If they clear up I will install the PPE pan (and change the filter)... and drive happily ever after!

So I began this afternoon by pulling the fluid out via the MBS Dipstick (ala the "Fitz Stick"). I managed to remove just over 7 quarts of fluid using this inexpensive 12v pump.

I marked a couple of jugs before beginning to insure I had an accurate measurement of just how much fluid came out.

What was surprising to me was just how dirty the fluid was with only 20K miles on it. It is dirtier than fluid that I've pulled from cars with 60K miles on them! Here is a look at what came out of the transmission. That fluid is supposed to be bright red, not black! It is no wonder these transmission are acting up!

ctechbob has had good results using this strategy. I am hoping for similar results. We'll see soon enoug I suppose.

- T

Nice to know that pump worked. I bought the same one earlier in the week. I didn't want to go expensive since I'll replace the pan with with the PPE or Mishimoto version so hopefully only need to pump once. I'm at ~ 12,000 miles now and plan to do the transmission fluid/filter at 20k intervals. I'm going to hold onto the old pan and if the transmission gives me trouble I may slap it back on before taking it to the dealer - not sure if that's a good plan. Anyway, my ranger is a 23 and I haven't had any issues with mine; perhaps they made some changes to address issues from earlier versions.

 

[Msfitoy]

I'm assuming that prior to putting in 12oz of treatment (for example), 12 oz of trans fluid needs to be removed first...correct?

 

[TJC]

Yes, remove then add. Do not overfill.

I used the full 10 oz bottle. That little pump made it very easy to measure the exact amount removed.

When I get around to changing the filter and pan I will use that pump again to get everything I can out, then I'll pull the pan and catch what remains.

I'll validate with the dipstick afterwards. The fluid expands so much that I am nervous about getting it wrong. I have never been this gun shy of automotive work before, but I just don't want to get it wrong.

I still am not sure of the fix. Time will earn my trust back. But right now I feel good about it.

I may even put some in my 2005 Ranger. That Jasper transmission has 10K on it now and it just started to shift really smooth. I already have a Dorman steel pan with drain plug ready to go in it. $35 dollars new! Man I love that old 2005 Ranger... Parts are dirt cheap, and I trust it!

 

[Racket]

I'm commenting to hopefully add to this discussion. I can say that thanks to my MBS transmission dip stick my 2019 was correctly filled with ATF from the factory.

Just had the dealer flush and fill the 10R80 at approx 45K miles and it's only been a couple days. Transmission a little clunky and I am waiting to see if it sorts itself out (because of the new fluid). I haven't driven enough to properly check the fluid level so that will likely be over the weekend. I uninstalled the Unleashed tune (with the @TORQUERULES software) a month ago in prep for this. I'll be adding the Lubeguard Platinum next after verifying the dealer did a proper job.

Then give it a few days to see if I notice a difference before putting the tune back on.

BTW the dealer used WYNNS for the transmission service. Why a charge for a gasket when they told me they don't drop the one time use pan is curious unless it's from some other part of the system.

 

[got3fords]

What was surprising to me was just how dirty the fluid was with only 20K miles on it. It is dirtier than fluid that I've pulled from cars with 60K miles on them! Here is a look at what came out of the transmission. That fluid is supposed to be bright red, not black! It is no wonder these transmission are acting up!

That's kinda what looks like what I get off my dipstick.

 

[got3fords]

BTW the dealer used WYNNS for the transmission service. Why a charge for a gasket when they told me they don't drop the one time use pan is curious unless it's from some other part of the system.

I'd definitely question the charge for the gasket. That's not chunk change.

 

[TJC]

Pulling the fluid out through the MBS dipstick is trivial, and you have complete control. I used the inexpensive pump mentioned in my previous note. I simply hooked the pump up to my old school 25 year old 10amp battery charger, and turned on the pump. It takes a few minutes to pull a quart, but I actually like that it does, as it made it very easy to stop at my marks on the jug!

It was easier than changing the the engine oil.

I had no spillage at all, not a drop.

 

[ctechbob]

I found this review of LubeGuard Platinum on Amazon from a verified buyer with a 2018 F150 - Might be worth the read.

I so hope this stuff has put a permanent end to my transmission issues.
------------------------------

I’m not a fan of transmission additives. In my experience, there’s no substitute for fresh atf, and additives are bandaids. That said, lubeguard has a good reputation, and I’ve successfully used other variants in the past to adapt fluids for different applications.

While I’m again not a fan of additives, a mere 2oz of this has absolutely resolved harsh shifting in my 2018 f150 10r80 transmission. This transmission has steadily gotten worse, misses shifts up from 3rd, banged or delayed shifts and otherwise was poor at best. The dealer was little help, resetting the adaptives which indeed helped some, but not totally.

The proper LG dose is about 12 oz for this transmission, but again I didn’t want to change the fluid characteristics. My theory is there’s something sticking in the valve body. So I used just under 1/4 bottle (2 oz or so) and within 15 minutes of driving it was just as good as it was when new.

Since Ford isn’t really saying what’s wrong with this transmission, I don’t know if this is something that would benefit all, or is even something anyone else should do. But, it worked very well for mine.

I'm 90% certain i know who that is. We'd had big discussions on another forum about his 10r80, but he has had really good results long-term as well.

 

[Racket]

I'd definitely question the charge for the gasket. That's not chunk change.

I got a courtesy email from the store manager about experience and replied questioning it.

The service manager already knocked off $50 because they damaged my actual leather Redline parking brake boot and replaced it with a Ford part.

 

[ctechbob]

Also, to be clear. I'm not expecting the Lubegard to prevent the bushing problem, but I do think it will help/cure a whole lot of the wonky shifting issues a lot of people are plagued by.

 

[TJC]

There is no curing the CDF bushing problem short of a major transmission rebuild. No additive is going to reseat the bushing and lock it into place.

I've seen a transmission repair video where the techs modify the drum to add a retainer ring that keeps the CDF bushing in place in the old style transmissions like early rangers have.

What I can't figure out is Ford has been using the 10R80 transmissions since 2017. Do all previous F150's and any other models that use the 10R80 have this same issue?

Answered my own question when searching for transmission info. Found this ambulance chaser who had details on the models.

I much prefer LubeGuard to a lawsuit.

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