About that time to get the transmission fluid done and the shop wants to use Pentosin ATF1 to flush the transmission.

Has anyone used Pentosin ATF1 fluid in their transmissions? It seems to meet the standards required and says it is compatible, but still not sure versus the OEM fluid or ZF LifeGuard6.

Some also claim Ford Mercon SP is compatible which would be nice as it is much cheaper.

 

Imo, the Mercon SP would be my choice as it was the fluid Ford ran in the exact same ZF tranny. Don't know enough about the Pentosin to comment.


Btw, you Yanks are lucky to be able to still source SP... can't find it up in the GWN at all. If any fellow Canuks want to help a brother out with a source for Mercon SP, it would be appreciated.

 

Redline D6

 

Thanks. Still not sure if I want to take the risk of using something other than ZF or LR fluid. Lots of doomsayers who say doing so will not be good for the transmission in the long run. But Mercon SP is cheap...

 

If it eases your mind at all, you can take a look here. Scroll down to the Lincoln Navigator with the 6HP26 transmission... same as ours. You'll see that Ford recommends the Mercon SP fluid be used with it.

 

That's true and I even tried to compare the viscosity and other information available in the MSDS, not quite the same but close (27.3 vs 28.6 cSt, Redline D6 is 30.7).

I guess the price difference isn't that great considering the cost of a new transmission: $150 difference for 12 quarts between ZF and Mercon SP. I guess $150 is worth not being nervous. Just hurts to spend $234 on fluid alone!

 

Okay, so i've been calling around and trying to get the right transmission fluid for my Land Rover LR3, I know my fluid is low because the pan is leaking and I just want to top it off. The question that I have is can you use Mercon SP fluid or ZF fluid just to top it off?? I called Land Rover and they are telling me that use their own factory fluid which cost about $30 a piece.... and that the fluid in my transmission is forever which means i don't need to do service.. Can you guys give an advise what i should do to my transmission, should i flush the transmission, replace filter, and pan gasket or should i just top it off with the correct fluid?

 

Mercon SP XT-6-QSP is fine to use for topping off. A 12 quart case is about $90 from Amazon. If you have a leak you need to address the issue. Typically it leaks at the electric connector sleeve or the pan, or both. The sleeve is not fun to replace but can only be done with the pan off. So most convert to the metal pan and filter and replace the sleeve all at the same time. You will not replace all the fluid doing this, only about half since the pan change uses about 6 quarts. Fluid should be changed every 75k miles or so, per ZF - the makers of the transmission.

 

Has your fluid ever been changed?
Where is your leak - at the gasket? plug? electronic connector sleeve?
I would do it right if you intend on keeping it.

Find/eliminate the source of the leak.
Replace pan/filter with either the metal pan, or OEM plastic. Metal saves a bunch in labor, and also makes it DIY friendly (I went this route).
Then swap fluid to Mercon if you like, this allows you to do a refill - then drive a bit - then do another drain/refill
This will change the most fluid out for the least $.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the advise!! I'll replace the transmission pan gasket and filter and use mercon sp fluid. Another question i have, and it might be because my fluid is low. I notice my rpm is going up and down while going on the road. It happens after the vehicle is warmed up and then goes away. Is that because my fluid is low or my torque converter is about to go out on me?