i bought a quart here in the usa, and the fluid is red, along with it having a smell. did ford change the formula, or just dye it in case some mechanics dump it in a motor? lol

 

The smell of the MerconSp is very similar to the OEM fluid that came out from my car when I drained it except for the slight difference in color. Not sure if it was because my old fluid had around 70k on it has anything to do with it. I also notice lots of Jags owners with same tranny as ours are using the Mercon as substitution and have not experienced any problem so far.

 

was your mercon sp red or brown?

 

Slight reddish, similar to the oil posted by 3banana

 

the mercon sp i got was really red, like other trans fluids typically are.



and i was looking for a trans filter. i notice Beck Arnley makes trans pan/filter kits and are widely sold. anyone use this brand? amazon has them for $100 shipped. http://amzn.com/B001KSCXEM

 

I read from the Jags board the one of the aftermarket brand is slightly different from another, around the screw holes area. I think one was even (flat) and the other was sink down.


Thought this youtube (scroll down to the bottom) was kinda cool for beginners such as myself to get an idea of what needs to be done, live.

http://www.genesisowners.com/hyundai...?t=3844&page=3

 

This is excellent information.

 

I bought the filter kit from them awhile back but didn't buy the fluid, Lifeguard6 fluid. It was not available at the site for awhile, until recently.

 

I did Trans pan replacement a few months ago and bouth the pan kit from Bimmer specialists $155.99 includes Oil pan with filter, Oil Pan gasket, Filter O ring, and drain plug. Mechatronic sealing sleeve $17.62 Trans valve body (Mechatronic) $12.30; Trans Pan bolts 26 X 2.04 =$53.06 UPS $6.98
I got Pentosin Oil from World Impex $13.75 a LTR

I noticed on the invoice that Crevier BMW used Pentosin when they did the cylinder valley coolant pipe replace job on my car at just 35,000 miles. I have V8 545i. Great huh, just to replace a lousy 2 buck rubber o ring! The fix on this per BMW is to remove the engine and trans. So they used Pentosin to replace the trans oil. So whatever this means? they did not use the OEM oil? I was only able to refill the trans after draining with just 5 Liters. I did not replace the Mechatronics sleeve nor the valve body to pump as there appeared to be no leaks from the sleeve and it looked like it would be a real bitch to replace. The Bentley manual does not have detail for this? very little room to get to when the exhaust pipe is there and the sleeve is up above and laying on your back with floor jack so I said screw it. I am totaling all my service invoices since 2005 when my car had 20K miles, it now has 71K miles and I am getting to $28,000 in total maintenance and repairs where I include a cost despite being under warranty and I am using the 7K cost for dealer repair of the cylinder valley cooling pipe job. So is this what I have to look forward to for the next 70K or so miles another $28,000? Well if I goto and Indy for the coolant pipe job again the shave off about 5K so then about $23,000. oh and this doesn't include new shocks, new wishbones/ball joints, new wheel bearings, motor mounts,fuel pump/filter .

 

from what i've seen, most trans pans have those recessed areas around the bolts, even the one listed on the site posted above, which is suppose to be a zf pan. i dont think it matters, and is probably better, so that any corrosion or pitting on the trans doesnt affect the bolting down of the pan.


that video was pretty nice.