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Shawnski
Member
Although I don't list much on this site, I have gotten good info in the past so I wanted to share a recent experience. We have an '03 3.0/5R44E that we picked up earlier this year to essentially replace our very dependable '05 3.0/MT so its easier to train my teenager how to drive.
The problem I had was when I changed the trans filter and topped off the fluid with Super Tech (Walmart) Mercon V. Although I did slightly overfill (into the crosshatch area on the dip stick) all was well until it started to delay going into drive and, then it would pull out of gear starting out in 1st. I dumped the pan and topped it off keeping it between the dots on the dip stick with the same Super Tech Mercon V (cheap).
The delay going into drive got worse as did the frequency of no go in 1st gear...Based on some research I thought it could be an issue with my Valve Body. I found one online with fully functional solenoids for $180. Put it in and used Valvoline Mercon V to top it off. While it was initially better, the no gear still was happening. I decided to consult a local trans shop and he was stumped that was doing this with a good VB throwing no codes of a suspect solenoid and only 55k miles.
I decided to flush the fluid with Mobil 1 ATF, just to make sure that I am running the same fluid throughout and a premium fluid ($7.50 a qt) before I went any further. I flushed it running 14 qts through it, and then topped it off for a total of 16 (capacity is 10qts) empty bottles.
Well now it shifts like it should again. My conclusion: at a cost of $128 in synthetic fluid and $180 for a not-needed VB I found out that these trannys do not like the Super Tech Mercon IV.
BTW, the 3.0/5R44E/4.10 combo 2wd stepside is actually kind of peppy!
The problem I had was when I changed the trans filter and topped off the fluid with Super Tech (Walmart) Mercon V. Although I did slightly overfill (into the crosshatch area on the dip stick) all was well until it started to delay going into drive and, then it would pull out of gear starting out in 1st. I dumped the pan and topped it off keeping it between the dots on the dip stick with the same Super Tech Mercon V (cheap).
The delay going into drive got worse as did the frequency of no go in 1st gear...Based on some research I thought it could be an issue with my Valve Body. I found one online with fully functional solenoids for $180. Put it in and used Valvoline Mercon V to top it off. While it was initially better, the no gear still was happening. I decided to consult a local trans shop and he was stumped that was doing this with a good VB throwing no codes of a suspect solenoid and only 55k miles.
I decided to flush the fluid with Mobil 1 ATF, just to make sure that I am running the same fluid throughout and a premium fluid ($7.50 a qt) before I went any further. I flushed it running 14 qts through it, and then topped it off for a total of 16 (capacity is 10qts) empty bottles.
Well now it shifts like it should again. My conclusion: at a cost of $128 in synthetic fluid and $180 for a not-needed VB I found out that these trannys do not like the Super Tech Mercon IV.
BTW, the 3.0/5R44E/4.10 combo 2wd stepside is actually kind of peppy!
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