Thank you!

[ForSHO]

New guy here. I read here about PTU fluid, and those adventures related to the PTU. So it kinda triggered a memory of smelling some hot fluid in my 2014 Red Sho. Recently I ordered a JMS tune. And I came here, lurked around, and found the PTU posts. People here kept saying to CHANGE THE FLUID! Anyway, I got the floor jack I usually use for my '64 El Camino, and sure as kitty, there's fluid up there on the bottom of the PTU, some on the tail pipe.

Took it into Ford this week, all of this is under warranty.  I ask them to changes the gasket. They call me back and tell me they are going to replace the PTU completely. 3 days. Wow, I hope this new one lasts more than 40k miles.

Thank you all for your expert help!

[pmezo33]

That's typical procedure with these PTU's.  Once they start puking out the vents, they just swap them out.  I think it's between the torque converters and the PTU's for the biggest dud parts with these cars.  At least you got a free one. 

Best way to keep them going is by frequently swapping the fluid with new fluid (75w140 gear oil).  I'm at 140k with my original one (knock on wood), but i've been changing the fluid every 15-20k miles since i got it at like 40k miles.  It probably isn't an accident it's lasted this long.

[SHOdded]

I hope the new one lasts and lasts and ...  pmezo is right on target, can't go wrong with that advice

[ForSHO]

I asked the Ford rep about the PTU fluid changing and scheduling it on a regular basis and he said that was BS.

[TopherSho]

I asked the Ford rep about the PTU fluid changing and scheduling it on a regular basis and he said that was BS.

LOL.. yeah.. I talked to my rep a week ago on even paying them money to do it since it has a service port.. he just grinned and shook his head.

They are fully aware the PTU can gunk up and die for no apparent reason on one car,  and run 100k on another.   in theory unless the unit was contaminated it should last over 100k.  I am willing to bet the failed units are just dirty when assembled.  its not exactly a operating room where the put them together.

[pmezo33]

I asked the Ford rep about the PTU fluid changing and scheduling it on a regular basis and he said that was BS.

Because, for whatever reason, that's what ford tells them to say.  It's a "lifetime fluid" according to ford.  Only problem with that way of thinking is a ptu's lifetime could be 40k miles.

Figure out how to do a fluid change on your car.  Assuming you don't have a performance package SHO, it's a very easy job.  If you can change engine oil, you can do a ptu fluid change.  I can do mine in about 15 minutes.

[pmezo33]

I asked the Ford rep about the PTU fluid changing and scheduling it on a regular basis and he said that was BS.

LOL.. yeah.. I talked to my rep a week ago on even paying them money to do it since it has a service port.. he just grinned and shook his head.

They are fully aware the PTU can gunk up and die for no apparent reason on one car,  and run 100k on another.   in theory unless the unit was contaminated it should last over 100k.  I am willing to bet the failed units are just dirty when assembled.  its not exactly a operating room where the put them together. 

I don't think contamination is the issue.  I think the consensus is the amount of fluid in there that causes it to die.  It only holds 18 ounces of gear oil - that's not a lot.  That little amount of oil gets hot and breaks down over time.  Then you've got sludge and a broken PTU in the near future.

All oil breaks down over time.  Think about an engine that never gets an oil change.  What happens?  Sludge and then it eventually breaks down.

[SHOdded]

PTU fluid has eternal life.  When it gets sludged up, just drive through some deep water to rejuvenate.  Simple, d'oh

[avidmotion]

Mine whined so loud it would drown out the radio, Ford replaced under warranty.  I would like to take care of it (stay away from deep water open vent port contaminates) however I have the PP option. Is there any tricks to changing fluid on them. There is a line blocking the fill bolt.

[SHOdded]

Look through the HOWTO for the 2013+ PP PTU fluid change, should help:
http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,4951.0.html

[TSS]

It is a positive thing I can say about my dealer. They are willing and have done the PTU fluid change for me. They, like us, disagree with Ford that it is a lifetime fluid.