I called ford for the transmission filter kit and was told the factory fill mercon V has a material incompatiblity with the transmission and that you have to use a different mercon V fluid thats in a black bottle(excelda).
(I have a copy of the internal special service msg)

It says this only applies to the 5r55e/n/w/s
all others such as 4r44e 5r44e etc are not included.
The part number for the reformulated motorcraft mercon V is
xt-5-GM (by the gallon)
I will update this wends night after work.
I will scan in a copy of the letter too.

Any thoughts?
Oh and the black bottle stuff is $22/gal ugh. The red stuff is <3/qt at walmart.

EDIT: Added PIC Its big (sorry 550k).. if you zoom in you can read all the text. I edited it again and added a closeup of the chart for clarity.

Rand


http://home.neo.rr.com/rand555/merconv.jpg
http://home.neo.rr.com/rand555/closeup.jpg

Interesting -- I wonder if the Amsoil I put in there is "compatible" with my 5R44E. There is virtually no difference between the 5R55 and the 5R44 -- all the gears, shafts, etc are the same. Only the torque converter, tail shaft, and houslings are different as far as I can tell.

I wonder why the 5R44E is NOT included? What's different?

I asked my regular dealer about this.. they took a day to "research it" but still claim to have never even heard of this before lol.

One final update.
I said screw it and flushed the transmission.
It now has Redline D4 ATF in there.
I dont think much of the "materially incompatible"
factory fill is left after...
pan drop refilled with 4qt castrol mercon v fluid.
Flush using 12qt of redline D4

Rand

Yeah, I'm glad I flushed mine even if it didn't nead it like yours did.

Hey, nice new avatar! I like it! :)