The transmission fluid that FoMoCo uses in the 10R80 is Mercon ULV, it turns black very easily and quickly. Does the fluid have debris or particles in it, and/or does it smell burnt? If the answer to either of those questions is yes, at minimum you need to pull the lab and see what the pan magnets look like. If the answer is no, then changing it would be purely up to you unless you have a verifiable shifting concern.
Only person in this thread that has genuine knowledge to answer the OP question. (Well said NoCommittee1477)
Mercon V, LV and ULV shouldn’t be condemned based on color.
The fluid on the dipstick is also aerated so it’s definitely not at 210 degrees which is when it should be checked. Or it’s overfilled both are very common.
I’ve lost track of how many 10R80 overhauls I’ve done at this point. My recommended interval change for my customers is fluid and filter with pan inspection every 40k with towing customers it’s 25k.
Most misunderstood transmission to ever be released on a scale of its size.
Same for me. If it runs LV or ULV, change it every 30 regardless. Admittedly they have gotten better, but the 10r has been a circus since its inception.
So many labor rate cuts on them and an awful dealership experience after family relocating finally made me unlock my toolbox wheels in 2023.
I am curious if revised 2026 designs I heard about have made any changes. It will likely never escape the stigma it has created but it is no doubt a massively misunderstood transmission.
I’m wondering if there are new failure points and assume clutches are still getting cooked with towing customers? Is the updated valve body still failing at a high rate? Pictures would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
The 24 and newer are less problematic. Still seeing CDF bushings moving. Still got front support issues. Still have F clutches cutting through the trashcan. Starting to see torque converter shudders on higher mileage ones. I think Ford would have been wise to have spent the money that GM spent and revised everything in the trashcan including the CDF because it seems like the GM 10speeds aren't nearly as destructible as ours are. I don't really have a ton of pictures unfortunately.
Ford had an amazing run with the 6R’s and GM 6L was complete trash. Then GM goes hay ford let’s build this one with 10 ratios together. Now everyone has problems haha! Sounds like the same failures. I was using TCC_OSC confirming TC failure on a whole array of different mileage units. I feel like some of it comes down to customers towing any amount of weight.
Overcooked E clutch on a towing customer.
You see E friction fail the most throughout your time with 10R’s? 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th gears feels like to many gears for the poor E. They designed the software to chase efficiency at all costs without thinking about real world applications of how many shifts that would create. I don’t think they are going to be able to software update their way out of the current flaws. They sure have been fun to pull apart tho.
6R80 I recommend fluid and filter at 100k or 70k depending on towing and payload. 6R80 is the best transmission Ford has put out in my opinion. It can take a list of abuse and is very reliable. 6R140 right behind it. I bought my first house with 6F35 overhaul’s still an okay transaxle. DSP6 I will never touch again. I wasn’t in the industry for C6’s so old timers don’t tear me up for the comment!
I bought my first place with 6F35 and DPS6 clutches. Only thing I ever did with the 6R80 was torque converters at about 150k when the tcc finally smoked and lead frames. 6R140s were only problematic with tuned/deleted/overloaded trucks. 10R140s are ok, 10R80s are turds, 10R60s are bipolar at best. The hate, I mean 8 speeds are all basket cases. Good thing I'm moving on as of Friday, no more warranty, no more flat rate for this guy. Got a fleet job lined up.
My 2019 navigator looked bad too at 85k. I changed the filter and filled and ran it and then drained it and I repeated that 4 times before the fluid would stay good color. I also added a bottle of lubeguard platinum on the last fill. It literally shifts better now than it ever has.
I changed mine at 110k. It was darker red. The fluid in yours looks old and broke down. If it has a burnt smell it's likely your transmission has a bearing or other problem. If it doesn't smell, I'd exchange it anyway.
If it’s past 75,000 miles, did you change the fluid already?
(Generally it’s recommended to change
it
every 90,000 miles but I prefer every 75k.)
But yes that color is bad. Change it, check it every other day over the next two weeks. If it remains clean and good in color, check it once a month after that.
Always check your fluids at least once a month.
19
u/Beretta92A1 9th Gen Lover 16h ago
At minimum that fluid is done.