Thoughts on ATP AT-202?

[CoconutMilkFrog]

I just purchased a 96 Ranger 3.0l V6 RWD with roughly 160k miles (odometer broken). Owner said they never changed transmission fluid, and fluid from dipstick is black. I’m doing a transmission drain and fill before I drive it anymore to hopefully save the transmission. Transmission seems to shift okay. I saw on RockAuto this ATP AT-202 transmission additive. I bought it figuring it may help, but I’ve never used it before. Thoughts?

 

[97RangerXLT]

I would not mess with the additive just yet... drain/ fill and replace filter. drive it for 3k miles and do it again. repeat a few times until the fluid looks good. Just remember, new fluid is going to flush/ clean out all the varnish and might likely cause issues.

if you make it so far as to have nice non burnt red transmission fluid, you likely won't need the additive.. if it shifts like crap, and there is nothing else to do but rebuild/ replace the transmission, then yeah, the additive might get you a few miles or months before the inevitable.

Welcome to TRS!

AJ

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So, I’m gonna move this to transmissions which may get better results.

Black fluid is bad news. Changing transmission fluid may or may not kill the trans. My 92 Ranger the fluid was still red-ish, but there was a fair bit of sludge. I had to swap motors so I did a new torque converter (I wasn’t convinced it was doing its job correctly anymore), then I did a shift kit and all the valve body work I could (A4LD), which all of that is done with the pan off. New filter, new reverse servo O-rings (ideally get square cut ones) and gasket, new filter, fluid and I tightened the bands. That was enough to make it really perky until someone smashed into me by traveling in the center turn lane…

 

[Blmpkn]

Yeah.. at the miles that trans has now... New fluid may or may not kill the thing.

The theory IS a bit of a point of contention.. even amongst transmission specialists..

Personally.. id just run it as is.

 

[CoconutMilkFrog]

I would not mess with the additive just yet... drain/ fill and replace filter. drive it for 3k miles and do it again. repeat a few times until the fluid looks good. Just remember, new fluid is going to flush/ clean out all the varnish and might likely cause issues.

if you make it so far as to have nice non burnt red transmission fluid, you likely won't need the additive.. if it shifts like crap, and there is nothing else to do but rebuild/ replace the transmission, then yeah, the additive might get you a few miles or months before the inevitable.

Welcome to TRS!

AJ

Thanks for the information and welcome! Would Valvoline multi-vehicle ATF Max Life be a good fluid choice?

 

[97RangerXLT]

Thanks for the information and welcome! Would Valvoline multi-vehicle ATF Max Life be a good fluid choice?

I would use Dexron/Mercon IV (or whatever the manual calls for) or greater. I would be leery of anything "multi vehicle". That being said, if it is considerably cheaper, that might be an option to use while flushing out the old stuff, but still you will never get rid of all of it when you do go back to Dexron/Mercon IV.

I think your best bet is the cheapest ATF IV fluid you can find and go from there.

AJ

 

[CoconutMilkFrog]

I would use Dexron/Mercon IV (or whatever the manual calls for) or greater. I would be leery of anything "multi vehicle". That being said, if it is considerably cheaper, that might be an option to use while flushing out the old stuff, but still you will never get rid of all of it when you do go back to Dexron/Mercon IV.

I think your best bet is the cheapest ATF IV fluid you can find and go from there.

AJ

Thanks again for the information. I can’t seem to find IV. Would Mercon V be okay? The owner’s manual just mentioned Mercon.

 

[I support common sense]

Don’t remember what it was but when my truck called for regular mercon in the power steering, I just went to the local parts store and asked for a bottle of regular mercon. Mercon V shouldn’t hurt (disclaimer: I’m an idiot and know very little about automatic transmissions follow my advice at your own risk) as long as you drain everything, that means a flush too, but considering how old the fluid is you may not be able to. You should still be able to get regular mercon.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Thanks again for the information. I can’t seem to find IV. Would Mercon V be okay? The owner’s manual just mentioned Mercon.

Have you identified your transmission?

I know the A4LD used Dex/Mercon III. I also know that the 5R55 uses Mercon V. Mercon V is full synthetic. Supposedly according to Ford it can be used in older transmissions, but Dex/Mercon 3 is cheaper and available in bulk, so I like using that in older transmissions.

 

[CoconutMilkFrog]

Have you identified your transmission?

I know the A4LD used Dex/Mercon III. I also know that the 5R55 uses Mercon V. Mercon V is full synthetic. Supposedly according to Ford it can be used in older transmissions, but Dex/Mercon 3 is cheaper and available in bulk, so I like using that in older transmissions.

Since it is a 1996 3.0L V6 RWD, I believe it’s a 4R44E transmission. The owner’s manual just states “Mercon”

 

[97RangerXLT]

Yep, dex/ merc v is fine

AJ