Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Transaxle tranny cocktail... NICE!

just had to post that I completed changing the tranny fluid today... I used Mobil 1 synthetic ATF and the Ford FM as per the Tranny Cocktail FAQ... very noticeable difference in shifter feel. I highly recommend this for any doubters!

I did this myself about 1 month ago and I couldn't agree more. This mod should help cold weather shifting, we shall see this winter.

Hi, could you please tell me where I could find the "recipe" for the tranny cocktail? Is the fluid change same as in the manual(drain fluid, fill with four quarts, run till hot, drain fluid & refill with four more quarts) or more invovled and replacing all of the fluid?
Re. replacing all of the fluid, could you disconnect a line from the tranny cooler and blow out all fluid with compressed air? Maybe messy, would it cause any problems filling up, like air lock?
Look forward to your response,

Cheers.

Should everyone do the Ford FM cocktail?

I thought I remembered an old post advising not to do it if you don't think you need it.

Anyone else know about this?

Thanks,

Originally posted by DavidBC:

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Hi, could you please tell me where I could find the "recipe" for the tranny cocktail? Is the fluid change same as in the manual(drain fluid, fill with four quarts, run till hot, drain fluid & refill with four more quarts) or more invovled and replacing all of the fluid?
Re. replacing all of the fluid, could you disconnect a line from the tranny cooler and blow out all fluid with compressed air? Maybe messy, would it cause any problems filling up, like air lock?
Look forward to your response,
Cheers.

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The tranny cocktail is only for manual transmissions, not automatics. As for changing the fluid in the automatic, would not recommend compressed air as it will probably not do much except make a big mess.

Originally posted by louisw:

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Originally posted by DavidBC:

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Hi, could you please tell me where I could find the "recipe" for the tranny cocktail? Is the fluid change same as in the manual(drain fluid, fill with four quarts, run till hot, drain fluid & refill with four more quarts) or more invovled and replacing all of the fluid?
Re. replacing all of the fluid, could you disconnect a line from the tranny cooler and blow out all fluid with compressed air? Maybe messy, would it cause any problems filling up, like air lock?
Look forward to your response,
Cheers.

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The tranny cocktail is only for manual transmissions, not automatics. As for changing the fluid in the automatic, would not recommend compressed air as it will probably not do much except make a big mess.

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If anyone can post or point out where this "tranny cocktail" is I would like to give it a whirl. I have issues with my syncros so anything I can do to try to help my tranny is worthwhile to me.

3 qts synthetic ATF + 2 oz Ford friction modifier. part number is in the FAQ. I remember that some of the newer transmission have a capacity of only 1.8 qts, not sure if a proportioned mix would yield the same results.

David,, there is a way to remove a line from tranny cooler put it in a bucket, then turn car on while pouring new fluid in. fill bucket to max of what the tranny can hold and then a little more to clean it out. Reconnect line and top off.

Originally posted by Kremithefrog:

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David,, there is a way to remove a line from tranny cooler put it in a bucket, then turn car on while pouring new fluid in. fill bucket to max of what the tranny can hold and then a little more to clean it out. Reconnect line and top off.

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As others have mentioned, the tranny cocktail is only for manual transmissions.

Originally posted by DavidBC:

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Hi, could you please tell me where I could find the "recipe" for the tranny cocktail? Is the fluid change same as in the manual(drain fluid, fill with four quarts, run till hot, drain fluid & refill with four more quarts) or more invovled and replacing all of the fluid?
Re. replacing all of the fluid, could you disconnect a line from the tranny cooler and blow out all fluid with compressed air? Maybe messy, would it cause any problems filling up, like air lock?
Look forward to your response,

Cheers.

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Right here: Cocktail recipe

I called Ford yesterday trying to get the Ford FM #C8A2-19B546-A, and they told me they don't make the same one anymore. The new Ford FM (#XL3) is a synthetic. Has anyone made the tranny cocktail with this? Does it matter? and where can I find Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF?

I don't know if they make it, but I know they still stock it, as I just purchased some on Saturday. Try a different dealer.

I infer from that Ford TSB, that trannies built in and after 2000 where designed for, and therefore would already contain, this fluid. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Thanks

I'll try a different dealer tomorrow. But I'm wondering if you could still do it, using the synthetic friction modifier?

Originally posted by duc1:

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I infer from that Ford TSB, that trannies built in and after 2000 where designed for, and therefore would already contain, this fluid. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Thanks

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I'll deny that.

December 99 (IIRC) the TSB came out for the new "honey" colored transmission fluid for the MTX-75. This TSB just let Ford dealerships know that they "should" (not that they do) start using this new fluid when servicing the MTX-75.

However even with this new semi-sythetic fluid you still need the Friction Modifier anyway.

So the cocktail is much superior since it uses a known FULL synthetic (Mobil 1) and of course the Ford FM. Plus it's a heck of a lot cheaper to boot! Win/Win

The new design of MTX-75's was not a TSB, but an actual change in design. Revised syncros & stronger internals were incorporated into the new units and internal fluid capacity dropped from 2.6 qts to 2qts. However you always use the "fill to spill" method when filling any MTX-75 unit.

Thanks for the reply

But I am thinking it might have the new fluid in it not from the dealer, but from the factory. My car (tho not necessarily my tranny) was built on 01/00, so I'm thinking they might have put "the good stuff" in at the factory. Yes? No?

I feel it is important to note that Terry Haines, the undisputed master of the MTX-75, told me NOT to run synthetic fluid in my trans. If I remember the conversation correctly, the synthetic fluid does not allow the synchros to bite properly and causes undue wear on them. He told me to use a good brand name ATF, like Valvoline, with only 1/2 bottle of friction modifier. I'm not exactly sure if he was just being application specific to the way I drive my car or making a blanket statement about the MTX-75...you'll have to ask him directly.

duc1 - No Contours came from the factory with the new fluid.

shotwell - say what? Terry has always said a synthetic (used with the FM) is superior to normal ATF & physics as well as myself agrees with him.

Using the Friction modifier with the synthetic is what lets the syncros bite.
Using a synthetic gives the MTX-75 much better thermal protection which it badly needs since it runs so hot to begin with. This normally hot condition is one of the reasons terry's bulldog boxes have extra fluid capacity, an oil cooler, and a seperate filter as well.

I could see if he told you to break in the tranny with a normal ATF with FM added. That would make sense, but the other statement does not make sense at all.

Rojer that

Thanks Demon

Well, I remember exactly what he said. Like I said, maybe I am a special case or something. Terry, care to comment?

I did this last year. It makes all the differance in the world. When the weather is cold the tranny shifts no problem.

OK, talked to Terry and found out I'm not completely crazy! What he was talking about with not using synth fluid was if you have worn synchros. If you have synchros going out of your transmission the conventional fluid will help the bad synchros bite better. Otherwise the synth cocktail is fine. Sorry for the confusion! I knew I was a special case!