Transfer Case Fluid Question

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Chris@FreedomMotorsports

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I'll have to look it up when I get back to the office but I believe the fuel efficient is right at 165 and the multi - vehicle is right at 195 I think. The OE, I'm not sure on even a guess there.
 

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Here are the specs for the AMSOIL Transmission fluids.

AMSOIL Signature Series Fuel-Efficient Synthetic ATF
ATL
Kinematic Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt (ASTM D 445)
5.9
Kinematic Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt (ASTM D 445)
28.5
Viscosity Index (ASTM D 2270)
159
Pour Point °C (°F) (ASTM D 97)
-53 (-63)
Flash Point °C (°F) (ASTM D 92)
224 (435)
Four Ball Wear Test @ 75°C, 1200 rpm, 40 kg, 1 hr, Scar, mm (ASTM D 4172)
0.40
Brookfield Viscosity, cP (ASTM D 2983)
9015

AMSOIL Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATF
ATF
Kinematic Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt (ASTM D 445)
7.5
Kinematic Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt (ASTM D 445)
38.5
Viscosity Index (ASTM D 2270)
165
Pour Point °C (°F) (ASTM D 97)
-53 (-63)
Flash Point °C (°F) (ASTM D 92)
234 (453)
Four Ball Wear Test @ 75°C, 1200 rpm, 40 kg, 1 hr, Scar, mm (ASTM D 4172)
0.40
Brookfield Viscosity, cP (ASTM D 2983)
9755

AMSOIL OE Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid
OTF
Kinematic Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt (ASTM D445)
7.5
Kinematic Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt (ASTM D445)
36.5
Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270)
180
Pour Point °C (°F) (ASTM D97)
-46 (-51)
Flash Point °C (°F) (ASTM D92)
208 (406)
Brookfield Viscosity, cP (ASTM D2983)
12245

AMSOIL OE Fuel-Efficient Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid
OTL
Kinematic Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt (ASTM D445)
5.8
Kinematic Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt (ASTM D445)
28.3
Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270)
155
Pour Point °C (°F) (ASTM D97)
-48 (-54)
Flash Point °C (°F) (ASTM D92)
210 (410)
Brookfield Viscosity, cP (ASTM D2983)
10864

Below are the specs for Motorcraft Mercon V & Mercon LV

Specification MERCON®V
MERCON®V license number M5040901
Specific Gravity
@ 60°F (15.6°C) 0.863
Density, lb/gal 7.19
Flash Point, COC, °C (°F) 196 (385)
Viscosity:
cSt @ 100°C 7.5
cSt @ 40°C 33.2
cP @ -20°C 1,100
cP @ -40°C 10,000
Viscosity Index 205
Pour Point, °C (°F) <-48 (<-54)

Specification MERCON®LV
MERCON®LV license number MLV070701
Specific Gravity
@ 60°F (15.6°C) 0.842
Density, lb/gal 7.01
Flash Point, COC, °C (°F) 216 (421)
Viscosity:
cSt @ 100°C 6.0
cSt @ 40°C 29.6
cP @ -40°C 10,200
Viscosity Index 155
Pour Point, °C (°F) <-48 (<-54)
 

Ruger

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I wish we knew the same level of detail about Motorcraft Transfer Case Fluid, but from my reading it is likely that it's a lot like old style Mercon. Mercon V replaces all applications for old style Mercon according to Ford, so one might do well to select a transfer case fluid as close to 205 as possible.
 

Ruger

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I was at the Ford parts counter today and asked them about the viscosity of Motorcraft Transfer Case Fluid. They looked it up and couldn't tell me anything but the application, and their book stopped with the 2010 model year. Most impressive.
 

Ruger

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I was looking for something else in the 2011 F150 Owner's Guide and found this on page 403 under Transfer Case Fluid: "Add only enough fluid through the filler opeing so that the fluid level is at the bottom of the opening." That worked out to a tiny bit over a quart and a half today.

UPDATE: I was a little surprised that both the fill and drain plugs on the transfer case are aluminum. I thought, "Gee, that's cheap. They could have used brass for a few pennies more." But now I'm wondering whether that might be pretty smart. Since the transfer case itself is aluminum, brass plugs might split the case if over tightened. I sure wish the drain plug had a magnet, though. After 46,000 miles the fluid was a dark brown color.

This is an easy job, inexpensive to do, and I think a very good thing to do.
 
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Ruger

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I found a source for magnetic drain plugs: MAGNETIC DRAIN PLUGS

I think that the drain plug for the transfer case is a 3/4" NPT. Can anyone confirm that?

I'd also like to put one in the front differential, but doggone if I can find the drain plug. Can only find a fill plug on it. Is there a drain plug?
 
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Vash

Vash

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Both front and rear differentials don't have drain plugs. They only have fill holes/plugs. Ford, in their infinite wisdom, made it so that you have to drop the pan/cover in order to service the differentials since they are "sealed for life" AKA 100,000 miles or so. To me, the biggest benefit of replacing the rear diff cover is to simply add a drain plug and dipstick so you don't have to drop the cover for a simple fluid swap. Unfortunately, due to the lack of clearance for the front differential cover there is no aftermarket cover that fits.

It's another one of those simple and stupid design decisions like not having an engine bay accessible transmission dipstick and having TPMS but only providing a low pressure warning instead of also displaying actual tire pressure on the productivity screen.
 
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Raptor911

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FYI ... I purchased an engine oil magnetic drain plug from these guys and they have a high quality drain plug.

I found a source for magnetic drain plugs: MAGNETIC DRAIN PLUGS

I think that the drain plug for the transfer case is a 3/4" NPT. Can anyone confirm that?

I'd also like to put one in the front differential, but doggone if I can find the drain plug. Can only find a fill plug on it. Is there a drain plug?
 
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