Transmission slipping in first but...

[Kermit]

Not after adding fluid... I'll get a day then i need to add another quart... So my question is... I've put about 4 quarts of fluid in in the last week and every other day having to add another or it slips.. where the hell can 4 quarts of fluid go when there's no puddle under the truck? This is really frustrating.

Also how many oxygen sensors are on this thing (and where might they be located, I know where one is). Pretty sure my idle problem is an o2 sensor as my gas mileage has tanked, truck feels like it's gasping for air and have irregular idle that dips then recovers when braking to stop. Just replaced the egr and fixed a couple vacuum hose leaks after idle went south after replacing a leaking muffler to pass inspection (posted another thread on that issue). All these problems after doing a simple muffler job. . I'm about to stick a rag in the gas tank and have a party... Speaking of the gas tank, there's a small leak on the fill hose that only leaks when filling the truck, could that have anything to do with the engine idle issue? Ugh... So done with the problems

4.6L 99 xlt with 222000 miles on it.

 

[stamp11127]

See if your coolant level has increased and also changed to pinkish color.

 

[Kermit]

Nothing pink or obvious in the radiator overflow to indicate transmission fluid.

 

[docraymund]

If you have 4wd, check your transfer case fluid level.

 

[Kermit]

That's kind of a ***** isn't it? Is that where you suspect the tranny fluid might be going? Am i checking the rear transfer or the front or both? Never had to check a front transfer, how u do that?

 

[stamp11127]

If you have 4 wheel drive it is bolted to the back of the transmission. If you have 2 wheel drive you don't have a transfer case.

What kind of trans fluid are you adding? Mercon V?

 

[Kermit]

Think I've got the trans issue figured out... They hold 15 ish quarts, i was really really low. Added a quart of Lucas transmission fix and almost 6 quarts of fluid and it's now actually registering on the stick when checked at hot idle. There is a little leak. Parked in a different place to see if any puddles developed and there was a small one. The Lucas should fix that. I'll be cleaning the driveway and parking there again to see if the leak persists. See pix for the ATF and Lucas I'm using.
Thanks a ton for the help...

 

[stamp11127]

Well I think it is supposed to take Mercon V not Mercon. Your trans troubles are just beginning...

 

[Kermit]

The manual says mercon atf. The carton of ATF says suitable for use in Ford and GM vehicles where a dexronIII/mercon ATF is recommended, but then the dipstick days mercon v on it what's the difference? This is what I was told to get

 

[stamp11127]

Pic says transfer case uses Mercon, what is stated for transmission? Difference is the additives in the fluid and possibly chemical composition.

Go with what the dipstick indicates to use.

 

[Bedrck47]

I think you need to read what you posted The reference you make for MERCTON ATF is for the transfer case NOT THE TRANSMISSION And if your TRANSMISSION dip stick calls for MERCRON V then that is what you should be putting in the TRANSMISSION

 

[Kermit]

Apparently the difference is mercon v is partially synthetic whereas regular mercon is not synthetic at all. Synthetics have some advantages in terms of temperture stabilitity and longevity but that's about it. Apparently you can get an additive to add to the transfer case to add synthetics to standard mercon fluid but is it that big a deal? As far as heat and friction it'll cause a bit more wear and tear from heat and friction but shouldn't the tranny cooler remedy some that? And on a truck with 222+k miles might be kind of a moot point at this stage in the game as I reckon it's close to its lifetime limit thanks to the rust and age.
Sorry, attached wrong pic.

 

[Bedrck47]

My question is why was the TRANSMISSION so low on fluid that it wasn't even showing on the dip stick.
To me that shows a complete lack of maintenance or someone doesn't bother checking fluid levels
Thank goodness you have gauge for fuel level because if you had to manually check it you would be running on empty most of the time.

 

[Bedrck47]

And what transmission is in your expy?

 

[stamp11127]

I think you are going to find out how well the Mercon doesn't work in this application.

 

[Kermit]

Figured out the source of the missing tranny fluid... The tranny cooler line was pretty much perforated (multiple small holes in a few different sections), which was why there was never really a big puddle. Figured this out after my rear window looked like someone sprayed it with WD40 after a short trip down the highway. Replaced the transmission cooler lines, all of it, and changed all the fluid to the mercon v. (Thanks for the input stamp).