• Welcome to Ecoboost Performance Forum. Please log in or sign up.
collapse

Getting my PTU serviced, interesting info from the tech

Started by ncole, November 22, 2017, 08:54:20 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

ncole

My SHO has about 1500 miles left on its warranty and just under 100,000.  I took it to the dealer to get all my fluids flushed and to check out a slipping 3-4 and/or 5-6 shift.  I took the tech for a test drive and showed it to him.  It was easier to demonstrate in manual mode as it was pretty subtle and sometimes not felt, but the tach doesn't lie and you could see it jump everytime.  My hope was that he would just find it low on fluid.  I did an ECM reset a few days before my service and it changed from a 5-6 issue back to a 3-4 issue where it started.  They made me make an appointment for trans service and I had the slipping issue for about a week.

In our discussions after the test drive, he told me a few interesting things. He explained that when the PTU fails what actually fails most of the time is the seal between the transmission and PTU.  Transmission fluid invades the PTU and the PTU slowly fails.  I guess for me the good news is when that seal failed it also leaked out a bit and my transmission showed symptoms of low fluid.   He also stated that they no longer replace PTU's under warranty per Ford.  They rebuild them and that is generally just a seal rebuild.  I asked him how long you would have to run with trans fluid in the PTU before it totally failed and would have to be replaced and he didn't really have an answer. So hopefully warranty pays for my trans flush and fill plus my PTU flush and fill and everything is back to normal and no real damage has been done.

Also, I brought a little oil around my rear wastegate and a P0299 that was stored but never threw a CEL to their attention and they replaced a pcv valve. Didn't quite understand their logic, but it was under warranty too.

Cool thing is they actually have their techs make videos and text them to you.  My car was in the air and he walked under it from the rear up to the front and showed the leak and talked to it a bit and then scanned over the rest of the front of the underside.  Maybe that's normal now, but new to me and I thought it was a cool service especially for guys who like to really know what's going on.

2011 black on black SHO.  MDesign CAI, Livernois 93 Stage 4 Plus X RACE 3BAR (running some E85 in to boost octane), 160° Thermostat, Livernois gapped plugs, 3 bar MAP

TopherSho

The send videos of issue diagnosis ?  ..  that is actually kinda of over the top nice.  I cant even get my ford shop to LOOK at the ptu..
2010 non-pp, 98k miles, 3-bar,  .026 plugs, SNOW-KIT STG1, AJPTurbu tune#35, 15.5+psi
Best 0-60 public road 4.35s
Best 1/4 of 12.61 no DA correction

SHOdded

Work under warranty is only covered till the warranty runs out.  So basically, it's all on you almost right away since the warranty is almost up.

I would like to see them provide proof that the bearings and/or gear surfaces have not been damaged by the presence of trans/PTU fluid soup.  Is there or isn't there micropitting, how much material has to be lost before the PTU is condemned, etc.

Now that they can blame a seal, makes it harder for you to argue for a new PTU.  Videoing is all well and good, but there is never a substitute for handson.
2007 Ford Edge SEL, Powerstop F/R Brake Kit, TXT LED 6000K Lo & Hi Beams, W16W LED Reverse Bulbs, 3BSpec 2.5w Map Lights, 5W Cree rear dome lights, 5W Cree cargo light, DTBL LED Taillights

If tuned:  Take note of the strategy code as you return to stock (including 3 bar MAP to 2 bar MAP) -> take car in & get it serviced -> check strategy code when you get car back -> have tuner update your tune if the strategy code has changed -> reload tune -> ENJOY!