Transmission - Lubeguard

[TJC]

One last thought on changing the fluid that might help others. I use the pump via the MBS Fitzstick to remove the fluid. I let my truck sit overnight and pull the fluid cold. I get an extra quart or so out this way. 7.5qts vs ~6qts.

The thing I noticed this time around is worth mentioning. When I changed the fluid this time I tried using FordTechMakuloco's method to achieve to proper level. Remember that I pulled 7.5qts out, so I knew exactly how much needed to go back in.

So following his procedure you pump out what you can, and put in 5-6qts, then start the truck, shifting through the gears at 10 second intervals. Then place in park, measure and top off 1 block below the hot zone (Square 5-6 instead of 4-5 when hot).

I followed the procedure adding 6 quarts initially, started the truck, then shifted through the gears. Checked the fluid and noted that it wasn't showing on the dipstick. I began adding fluid until I had it on the diamond between 5 and 6. Total fluid req'd 7.5 quarts! It worked! Drove the truck and noticed a couple of mild issues, adding another 6oz of LubeGard Platinum (swapped fluid for LGP) and took it for another spin, smooth as silk.

This morning (41F) I measured the fluid level going through the same "start the truck shift protocol" and checked the fluid level. It barely registered on the dipstick, not making it past the bend at the tip. Not sure why it was reading so low.

Thinking maybe I did something wrong I added 1/4 qt to get it back on the diamond between 5 and 6. Test drove it 75 miles ( I am sure I did not reach the 206F-215F temp window, got home and checked the fluid level. This time it registered at the diamond between 4 and 3! One full block too high. There was no foaming or overflow, but the fluid level was clearly too high, and I pulled the 1/4 quart out. This dropped the level to just above 5.

I have no explanation as to why the fluid level varied so much after the test drive and sitting overnight.

Anyone one else notice this much difference in fluid level after a initial fluid change?

On another note, I am going to look at this a little closer to quantify the expansion range of the fluid at ambient temps. The goal for me is to find the overnight cold static spot on the dipstick to fill with temps at 40F, 60F, and 80F, etc. I'll keep the truck at the same spot (level) when measuring. One of the benefits is the oil is much easier to see on the dipstick when cold and settled overnight.

During fluid changes, I will continue to replace the exact amount I take out, but will validate the next morning with a static cold reading.

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[TJC]

I'll also say that I had a real hard time getting the 15 oz of fluid out of the transmission. The hoses that came with the pump were just ever so slightly short. Or at least that is my theory on why I had issues.

It is very easy to have the inlet pump tube catch on the lip of the fitting just where the dipstick tube attaches to the transmission. Is your inlet pump tube as long or longer than your dipstick? I sit my pump on the front of the engine cover about a foot from the dipstick tube, and the inlet pump tube has no slack in it and reaches the bottom of the pan.

 

[Tom_C]

I installed the fitz-stick last week, and just did the pump/refill.

First thing was the pump wouldn't pump, and I thought it was defective. Luckily it came with 2 sets of hoses, so I swapped the inlet hose, and it started pumping.

Cold, the fluid was just touching the stick, around the 6 mark. I was only able to pump out shy of 4 quarts. I didn't have a good storage container to tell me how much I took out, so I used a fluid oz scale, and got out about 115 oz, or 3.5qts. I tried repositioning the hose during the pumping, but I got all I could get. The truck is probably not exactly level, the garage apron is slopped, of course, so I got out what I could get.

I put in the 15oz of lube guard, and about 3.5 quarts of new fluid. I was dumping from a 5 gallon quart jug, so got a little more than I wanted. I started the truck, cycled through the gears, let it drain completely, then checked the fluid. It's right about where it was before, maybe a tad higher, but still around the 6 mark, so I'm comfortable driving it now.

I'm going to take a drive to town, about 25 minutes and check the fluid while running at a gas station where (I hope) it's level. I hope it's still a quart low so I can add more fluid, but we'll see.

I have 28k miles, and the fluid was darker than the new fluid, but still sort of pink/purple. I assume ford used the Mercon ULV stuff.

 

[ctechbob]

I installed the fitz-stick last week, and just did the pump/refill.

First thing was the pump wouldn't pump, and I thought it was defective. Luckily it came with 2 sets of hoses, so I swapped the inlet hose, and it started pumping.

Cold, the fluid was just touching the stick, around the 6 mark. I was only able to pump out shy of 4 quarts. I didn't have a good storage container to tell me how much I took out, so I used a fluid oz scale, and got out about 115 oz, or 3.5qts. I tried repositioning the hose during the pumping, but I got all I could get. The truck is probably not exactly level, the garage apron is slopped, of course, so I got out what I could get.

I put in the 15oz of lube guard, and about 3.5 quarts of new fluid. I was dumping from a 5 gallon jug, so got a little more than I wanted. I started the truck, cycled through the gears, let it drain completely, then checked the fluid. It's right about where it was before, maybe a tad higher, but still around the 6 mark, so I'm comfortable driving it now.

I'm going to take a drive to town, about 25 minutes and check the fluid while running at a gas station where (I hope) it's level. I hope it's still a quart low so I can add more fluid, but we'll see.

I have 28k miles, and the fluid was darker than the new fluid, but still sort of pink/purple. I assume ford used the Mercon ULV stuff.

Just curious, where'd you get a 5 gallon pail of ULV?

 

[Tom_C]

Just curious, where'd you get a 5 gallon pail of ULV?

Yeah, I meant quart.

So, after I drove down to town and checked level, I really had a hard time seeing the level. I sort of 'felt' it was low, down below 5, so I added in another quart. Once I got back home and tried again to get a good read, It was hard to see, but I thought it was a bit too full, so I pulled out 8 oz.

I was never able to get a clear reading, so I let it cool down a bit and read it with the engine off, and it appears to be around the 3 mark.

Based on the install video, his 'cold' reading was about at the 2 mark. I will check it tomorrow when it's completely cold and see where it is. I wish I could get a good reading with the engine hot and running in park, but I just can't see it.

 

[5thranger]

Yeah, I meant quart.

So, after I drove down to town and checked level, I really had a hard time seeing the level. I sort of 'felt' it was low, down below 5, so I added in another quart. Once I got back home and tried again to get a good read, It was hard to see, but I thought it was a bit too full, so I pulled out 8 oz.

I was never able to get a clear reading, so I let it cool down a bit and read it with the engine off, and it appears to be around the 3 mark.

Based on the install video, his 'cold' reading was about at the 2 mark. I will check it tomorrow when it's completely cold and see where it is. I wish I could get a good reading with the engine hot and running in park, but I just can't see it.

I take a white paint pen and color the dip stick. When the color is dry, I then take a reading and as soon I get the reading, I wipe the color off with brake cleaner.

 

[got3fords]

I take a white paint pen and color the dip stick. When the color is dry, I then take a reading and as soon I get the reading, I wipe the color off with brake cleaner.

Ewwwww! That sounds sketchy. I would be afraid of any bit of that paint, or any chemical in it leeching out getting into the tranny.
I take a white, lint-free kimwhite and touch the dipstick against it to see what part gets wet.

 

[Tom_C]

Ewwwww! That sounds sketchy. I would be afraid of any bit of that paint, or any chemical in it leeching out getting into the tranny.
I take a white, lint-free kimwhite and touch the dipstick against it to see what part gets wet.

Thats sort of how I got my last read. Clean paper towel, touched the stick down on it and then lined it up. I don't have anything lint-free. I hope the filter works.

From all indications my trans was about a quart low from the factory... or it burned that much. Who knows?

 

[Loweredon33s]

Just curious, where'd you get a 5 gallon pail of ULV?

Right?

 

[got3fords]

Thats sort of how I got my last read. Clean paper towel, touched the stick down on it and then lined it up. I don't have anything lint-free. I hope the filter works.

From all indications my trans was about a quart low from the factory... or it burned that much. Who knows?

I would also think something like a microfiber eyeglass wipe would work very well.

 

[Racket]

Maybe this has been covered but reading the box:

'OEM Fluid Alternative' implies you could replace the ULV completely with this stuff which would be ungodly expensive.

But it also suggests 12 ounces in our trucks is a minimum since the full volume is 12 quarts.

I already put in a 15 ounce bottle, this is a spare.

 

[ctechbob]

Maybe this has been covered but reading the box:

'OEM Fluid Alternative' implies you could replace the ULV completely with this stuff which would be ungodly expensive.

But it also suggests 12 ounces in our trucks is a minimum since the full volume is 12 quarts.

I already put in a 15 ounce bottle, this is a spare.

Not what they mean by that.

In certain cars you can use it with a generic Dexron fluid and 'convert' it to whatever spec your car calls for.

I'm not a huge proponent of that. As a supplement, sure, but using a non-spec fluid and relying on it to make it work in a specific trans, notsomuch.

ULV is still somewhat of a unique beast being as thin as it is. There's not really anything you could add to it to 'convert' a thick fluid into a thin one.

 

[Fitzmotor]

I found one of the easier ways to read the extended dipstick, is to use the reflection off the stick from the amber marker light, it's low light and makes it easier to read new or clean fluid.

Thanks you guys! I really appreciate the recommendations!? And thanks to the OP!

It's funny, had I known the Fitzstick name was going to stick the way it has, I should have made it the official name it's more fun sounding than MBS RS-1023

 

[Blue Streak]

I found one of the easier ways to read the extended dipstick, is to use the reflection off the stick from the amber marker light, it's low light and makes it easier to read new or clean fluid.

Thanks you guys! I really appreciate the recommendations!? And thanks to the OP!

It's funny, had I known the Fitzstick name was going to stick the way it has, I should have made it the official name it's more fun sounding than MBS RS-1023

And you thought I was just kidding when I called it the Fitzstick.

 

[Fitzmotor]

I got several emails through the website: "Is this the Fitzstick I read about" I went in and edited the website to include the name!

Thanks, it is a known business fact, that a unusual catchy name gets people's attention!

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