BEWARE OF PTU and REAR DIFF OIL LEVEL from the factory !

ZQ8

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Changed both after 21,000 miles. ONLY 10 oz came out of the PTU and 18 oz out of the diff. BAD LOW in both. The PTU for sure. Held about 25 oz each. It is a 2022 BB 1.5L. Just a FYI.
Build date 02/11/22.
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KRPTX

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OMG. Where can I see the specifications and capacity for these two gearboxes? I don’t see it in the owner’s manual.
 

cprcubed

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They still should provide the capacity and fluid specifications in the owner's manual regardless of the "serviceability". I couldn't even find the transmission capacity/specs in the OM. Cheers!
 

KidWiff

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They are not supposed to be owner serviceable.
This seems to be sort of a Mickey Mouse setup… Maybe there is one, but I just don’t see the reason behind that.

Seems to be a bit of hubris on Ford’s part to deem an owner unfit to have access to simple fill and drain plugs.. and even more so to expect that every transmission and PTU will be filled spot-on from the factory. But, that’s just me.
 


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rear diff = 0.80 qt
PTU = level with bottom of fill plug opening, looks to be about 0.50 qt
both have accessible drain and fill plugs.
 

Mark S.

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This seems to be sort of a Mickey Mouse setup… Maybe there is one, but I just don’t see the reason behind that.
I suspect this is a way to get you into the service shop.
 
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V8 Yankee

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I have a 21 OB with a build date of Oct 21. Turns out the PTU in mine has a drain plug, other build dates might not have the drain plug. Even without the drain both the PTU and RDU are absolutely serviceable although it's a pain to extract the oil from the PTU. I used a syringe with a clear flexible hose about 24" long. I was able to get 24 ounces back into it before it started dripping from the fill hole. That's 24 out of 32 ounces (1-quart). The RDU was much easier with the drain and fill plugs very accessable. The RDU holds roughly the same as the PTU, about 24-25 ounces out of 32 ounces (1-qrt). I used Amsoil Severe Duty 75W-90 Gear Oil for both. The piece of mind having both units filled properly and by having Amsoil in them is just one less thing to worry about. I use Amsoil SS in the motor and trans as well. I do 30K changes on the RDU, PTU and Trans.

The trans oil change is easy as well, (drain and fill). I can get 4 quarts in using that method. The important thing is to drain the trans, install the plug and refill using 3 quarts with the engine off. Once you fill with three qrts start the engine and let it fully warm up in park, that takes 10-15 minutes. When hot leave it in park and fill with the remaining quart until it starts dripping from the leveling hole. I put in 5 quarts to get a better mix ratio with the old fluid, kind of a sacrificial quart as it will drain out. After the fluid stops dripping plug the leveling hole and you are done. The fill access is directly under the air box support point at the corner of the battery. Remove the airbox and the support grommet and the trans vent is right there, direcly below. Pull the vent cap off and that's it. The hole where the grommet is also works as support for a long neck funnel. Really good engineering on Fords part to make the fill point so accessable.
Using Amsoil is a personal choice, there are several other top shelf products that are very good. Using Motorcraft oils will do the job as well. Good luck all.
 
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Kamikaze9000

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Ill add to this thread.

Have a 24 OBX. Currently at about 2300 miles. Got it new with about 284 miles on the odometer.

At 1200ish I check the level of the RDU and PTU. Found that I needed to add 2 oz to the rear and 6 oz to the front.

At 1600, finally check the transmission level. Had to add about 19 oz.

The addition of 19 oz of trans fluid seems to have solved my hard downshift into 1st gear issue.

I am annoyed that there isnt an easy, quick way to check the trans fluid level.
 
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Kamikaze9000

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You fill through the vent tub location on top (under the engine filter housing).

The drain for the transmission is underneath. Do keep in mind that the PTU drain is also underneath but in a different spot.

The fluid level plug is of the driver side just to the rear of the halfshaft. Note that the PTU fill/check plug is on the passemger side just to the rear of the halfshaft.

The video instructions has some extra information that isnt needed. The vehicle needs to be level. Transmission at operating temp. Transmission in park when you check fluid and fill. There isnt any need to change gears.

Definitely do not run the engine without the airbox connected. To fill with the airbox in the way, it helps to have a flexible tube to stuff into the vent hole.

Fortunately, the tranmission is the same as in the escape, so most of the information here should give you the idea and location:
 
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I have a 21 OB with a build date of Oct 21. Turns out the PTU in mine has a drain plug, other build dates might not have the drain plug. Even without the drain both the PTU and RDU are absolutely serviceable although it's a pain to extract the oil from the PTU. I used a syringe with a clear flexible hose about 24" long. I was able to get 24 ounces back into it before it started dripping from the fill hole. That's 24 out of 32 ounces (1-quart). The RDU was much easier with the drain and fill plugs very accessable. The RDU holds roughly the same as the PTU, about 24-25 ounces out of 32 ounces (1-qrt). I used Amsoil Severe Duty 75W-90 Gear Oil for both. The piece of mind having both units filled properly and by having Amsoil in them is just one less thing to worry about. I use Amsoil SS in the motor and trans as well. I do 30K changes on the RDU, PTU and Trans.

The trans oil change is easy as well, (drain and fill). I can get 4 quarts in using that method. The important thing is to drain the trans, install the plug and refill using 3 quarts with the engine off. Once you fill with three qrts start the engine and let it fully warm up in park, that takes 10-15 minutes. When hot leave it in park and fill with the remaining quart until it starts dripping from the leveling hole. I put in 5 quarts to get a better mix ratio with the old fluid, kind of a sacrificial quart as it will drain out. After the fluid stops dripping plug the leveling hole and you are done. The fill access is directly under the air box support point at the corner of the battery. Remove the airbox and the support grommet and the trans vent is right there, direcly below. Pull the vent cap off and that's it. The hole where the grommet is also works as support for a long neck funnel. Really good engineering on Fords part to make the fill point so accessable.
Using Amsoil is a personal choice, there are several other top shelf products that are very good. Using Motorcraft oils will do the job as well. Good luck all.
Are you going to switch to Severe Gear 75W-85 for the PTU and Amsoil ATF ULV for the transmission now? I don't believe these products were out when you posted. While I believe the 75W-90 works, I believe what's supposed to go in there is 75W-85, which they sell now. I think 75W-90 is correct for the rear diff. They also originally recommended the Fuel Efficient ATF for MERCON ULV users, but have since excluded the MERCON ULV compatibility from the Fuel Efficient ATF ever since releasing the ATF ULV.
 
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You fill through the vent tub location on top (under the engine filter housing).

The drain for the transmission is underneath. Do keep in mind that the PTU drain is also underneath but in a different spot.

The fluid level plug is of the driver side just to the rear of the halfshaft. Note that the PTU fill/check plug is on the passemger side just to the rear of the halfshaft.

The video instructions has some extra information that isnt needed. The vehicle needs to be level. Transmission at operating temp. Transmission in park when you check fluid and fill. There isnt any need to change gears.

Definitely do not run the engine without the airbox connected. To fill with the airbox in the way, it helps to have a flexible tube to stuff into the vent hole.

Fortunately, the tranmission is the same as in the escape, so most of the information here should give you the idea and location:
What funnel would you recommend to avoid filling without the airbox connected?
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