Wrong Fluid?

Discussion in 'Transmissions' started by Rocketlad, May 6, 2011.

  1. Rocketlad

    Rocketlad Garage Warrior

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    Does anybody know the side effects of using standard ATF in their C4 instead of type F? Is there even a difference between the two?
     
    Rocketlad, May 6, 2011
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  2. don graham

    don graham MCG State Rep

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    I would think over a period of time that the tranny will wear oiut faster and start to slip. Not sure how long though. I would drain any tranny fluid out that I could and put type F back in. :)
     
    don graham, May 6, 2011
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  3. maverick75

    maverick75 Gotta Love Mavs!

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    It'll burn up in the transmission...been there before :slap:

    Always use Type F on a OEM. (Unless its been modified to run another kind)
    Autozone always has it in stock around here, under the Castrol brand.
     
    Last edited: May 6, 2011
    maverick75, May 6, 2011
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  4. Rocketlad

    Rocketlad Garage Warrior

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    The reason I'm asking is because I just got it back from the shop and on the bill they charged me for 3 qts of ATF not Type F. It got me thinking that they may have used the wrong stuff.
     
    Rocketlad, May 6, 2011
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  5. Mavman72

    Mavman72 Gone backwards but lookin' forward

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    Call em and find out...They probably just wrote ATF on the bill for billing purposes. Find out for sure though...
     
    Mavman72, May 7, 2011
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  6. maverick75

    maverick75 Gotta Love Mavs!

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    I've also seen it sold as "ATF Type F".

    But yes find out.
     
    maverick75, May 7, 2011
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  7. john T

    john T Member

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    isnt the dex merc universal?
     
    john T, May 7, 2011
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  8. Joe Dirt

    Joe Dirt BBF life

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    Not at all use only the oe spec fluids
     
    Joe Dirt, May 7, 2011
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  9. injectedmav

    injectedmav Member

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    NOPE! There is no "universal" transmission fluid. Almost all manufacturers have specific fluid requirements. MerconV is only backwards compatible with other Mercon fluids, but I don't take any chances. Seen too many instances of the wrong fluid making a total mess out of a perfectly good transmission.
     
    injectedmav, May 7, 2011
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  10. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    it's all sold as ATF...Automatic Transmission Fluid...:yup:
     
    71gold, May 7, 2011
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  11. PaulS

    PaulS Member extrordiare

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    DexronIII/Mercon is not recommended for any Ford transmission anymore.
    Ford upgraded all those that used it to the Mercon V spec oil.
    C4s still use only type F unless the friction materials are carbon/Kevlar then you use Mercon V.
     
    PaulS, May 7, 2011
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  12. john T

    john T Member

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    sounds like i have to go check the dipstick and see if i have to drain the fluid and replace the new filter in my truck.
    91 f250 gas if anyone knows what it requires offhand
     
    john T, May 8, 2011
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