FordTechMakuloco your videos made my life so much easier a couple of days ago! My wife drives a 2010 Escape 2.5L. I had to flush the heater core, fill the cooling system, and bleed the air out because the air compressor available to me wasn’t large enough to use my vacuum filler. I also had to replace a failed a/c compressor, which meant a dryer of corse also. While I was there, I went ahead and replaced both idler pulleys, the tensioner, and the belt as they all had 130k miles on them. I cleaned maf sensor, disconnected and charged the battery before I started all of that, and let it idle for 30 minutes to relearn the adaptives when done. She now has awesome heat and defrost works again with the new a/c compressor. I am disabled and very rarely have a day that I am well enough to work on things. I was class 8 diesel tech for 15 years and had to stop due to medical reasons. I can’t afford to pay a shop to all of the repairs her car needed, so ordered oem parts on rockauto and they sat until I was well enough to do it. Thank you so much for what you do man. You and I are about the same age so I really enjoy your videos.
I have replaced tones of these units. The ones with the coolant lines also go bad but have only done a couple of them. I agree about the heat and leaks but i think it might be more than that. Possibly cheep metal?
Good info. I was wishing you would have showed the fluid removed from that CX9 PTU. The stuff on the plug was super sludgy so I bet pumping it out was a chore and left a lot behind as you implied suggesting it could be repeated after another 1000 miles.
Thanks for the great content! Is this the same for the Lincoln Continental AWD? If so, is the 30k oil change recommendation you made the best way to minimize failure? Any other recommendations like thermal shield or insulation? Thanks again!
After seeing a few failures on these we took one apart and figured out where to drill for a drain plug. We now offer that to our customers that own these so the fluid change is easier.
i asked my local dealer if they could do that when we do my wifes 2012 Explorer and they looked at me like i was insane... All my 4wd GM vehicles have a servicable transfer case...
Victor Angelo - I really messed up listening to Ford. I didn’t service it until now at 128k. Oil was gray and sludgy, plug didn’t have too much metal on magnet so there’s hope.
Man,I sure wish I lived somewhere around you.No one else would ever touch my truck.You a great mechanic and thanks for all of your informative videos.People such as yourself are few and far between these days.Thanks again.
@Firebird400 Its every brand ..wise guy! *Pt is to have such a knowledgeable Ford tech or ANY brand tech like this is RARE* . BTW, all 2015+ Edge, Explorer, Escape AWD SUVs have PTU drain plugs /heavier duty synthetic fluids now. Hopefully GM /Stellantis also. Foreign brands? Doubtful. LOL .
All the Ford haters here I hope are Toyota owners, because nothing GM or Chrysler is much better than what Ford is putting out. Maintain your vehicles! That's why its nice to see channels like this that tell you things that will help you, so you have the chance to maintain your vehicle to minimize failure.
Lincoln MkS- 2013- has same set up with the 3.5 V 6. Bought w/ 32,000. Drilled/tapped bottom of case for a 3/8" magnetic drain plug. Fill plug not easy to get at, but doable. Heat wrapped the exhaust & rear cat. Change fluid (Amsoil 85W/140) @ 5000 mile intervals. So far, so good. 58,000 on odometer,
Bought a 2016 Explorer Sport with 131,000 miles earlier this year. Glad I found this channel so I know what to watch out for. Changed the PTU fluid and trans fluid (pretty sure neither had been changed previously). Seems these are good vehicles as long as regular maintenance (especially fluid changes) is performed.
I asked the dealer where I purchased my Taurus SHO about changing the fluid in the PTU and they told me that it couldn't be done. They are a big dealer and it disappointed me that they said that. A closer dealer told me that they would do it for $100. I may get it done more than once.
The fun thing about diff oil and transmission fluid is you can't change them too often. Diff oil does have friction modifiers that break down and treat metal over a period of time, but that's mostly to condition the metal for fluid that is breaking down. If the fluid has its rated viscosity and thermal properties the metal doesn't need to be "protected" against anything because it likely isn't wearing. There are some exceptions to this in engine oils where there are a lot of different types of metals and a lot of contaminants from combustion and oxidation. That environment just doesn't exist in a transmission so the fluids don't have treatments to treat for that sort of stuff. TL/DR change any fluids you want as often as you can afford, definately at or before the manufacture recommended interval. The only exception is engine oil. Never change it too early. No modern engine should have its oil changed at 3000 miles; most semi synthetic oils are good for 5k in extreme conditions and most full synthetics are good for at least 7500k in extreme conditions. And a lot of the wear additives and metal treatments aren't even released at the molecular level until 3000-4000 miles. Chemically, as the oil breaks down, molecules are formatted to either combine or split apart, releasing or creating additives that treat the engine throughout the duration of that oils life. You want these additives to be absorbed by the metal, and you want the metal to interact with the moly and antioxidants.
it really depends on the service advisor that you talk to. Some know that it can be done and should be done but some don't know a damn thing about cars.
You might have better luck having your local transmission shop do the PTU oil drain & change. I live in a rural area and the local Ford dealership is one I do not trust to do any reliable work on my 2014 Explorer XLT. My transmission went to pieces (literally!) at 65,00 miles, and I had a local transmission shop replace it. That's when I found out about the fluid issue in the PTU. I resolved to get this fluid changed every year to avoid any future problems.
Great job, as always Brian. I know your opinion on Amsoil, and I generally agree with you on the over hyped marketing b.s., but I’ve found that fluid to be far superior to the Motorcraft fluid in my 2012 Edge PTU. I changed it first at 12,000 miles with amsoil, the factory Motorcraft fluid was completely destroyed black sludge, changed at 22,000 miles, fluid was dark, but still acceptable quality, changed at 60,000 fluid was still golden brown, and finally changed at 96,000 miles and the fluid was clean as a whistle, no breakdown what so ever. Edge now has 100,000 miles and is going strong. Just my personal experience and may very from others. Keep up the good work!
gatecitydj For sucking the old stuff out: harbor freight Item#63144, use the skinny black hose included in this kit to get to the bottom of the case through the fill plug. If it’s never been changed you’ll more than likely have sludge in there. If so, get as much out as you can (you’ll be pumping a lot for not a lot of fluid). Fill with new fluid to the bottom of the plug, run for a three thousand miles or so and do it all over again until you get nice golden fluid coming back out. For filling with new fluid I use this pump: Harbor freight Item#61746 Good luck!
@@evilkid500 Oh my, popped that drain plug last night, wow the smell.....OMG, most of the fluid was all gunked up so I added some will drive this week and see if I can get out all the crap this weekend.
Alex D I have a 2001 Ford Expedition 4wd I bought from a buddy of mine with 150,000 thousand miles on it for $ 1,200. It runs very good but I need to put in a intake manifold leaking coolant on the cross over aluminum part and plastic thing. I was thinking of using Amsoil fluids for the rear and transfer case fluids and front change fluids with all Amsoil fluids and flushing the oil and change fluids oil and change with Amsoil fluids. Just asking for people who have done it and their opinions? Thanks again
I think you are right about fluids being engineered for short service life and premature failure. OEM grade Brake fluid, ATF, Engine oil have purposely reduced life... crap! The flip side of that is the core parts are really solid so it's up to us to stay on top of the list of "high-maintenance" items. We are both blessed and cursed at the same time...
I've been hurt bad by fords engine problems, etc. ( 5.4:( ), long for the fords of long ago! ( 70s 80's) not many problems then, great vehicles, can't afford new cars anyway nowadays, retired mechanic here 70 yrs. Old. Gary in Oregon
I will never understand why these companies don’t add drain plugs to any piece that has fluid in it! ALL FLUIDS NEED TO BE CHANGED AT SOME POINT FOLKS! Waiting for the vid of the disassembled gearbox. 👍🏼🇨🇦
Our large fleet of Police Interceptors all have PTU failure, usually within 30,000 miles. They started changing the oil regularly and it helps a little bit, but the interceptors have a liquid "cooled" PTU, which actually is more like liquid heated with coolant that makes them fail faster. Also, at around 20,000 miles or so every 3.5 twin turbo motor has one or both turbos fail by leaking oil internally and smoking. Every single one without fail. Junk!
Our Police fleet started changing the PTU fluid at about every 20,000 miles and haven't had another failure and we have never replaced a turbo. The Explorer is easily the most reliable pursuit vehicle in the fleet ( Explorer's, Crown Vic's, Tahoe's, and Charger's )
Every Turbo failing at 20,000 miles ? What oil are you using? I work at a high volume Ford dealer. We see it all, but the 3.5 Eco does not go through turbo’s as you have described, unless you you using the wrong type /grade oil
Jack of All Master of None , damm skippy.. senior ford technician there junk and yet ford pushes it like it’s the grandest thing, i bleed ford blue, but lately i’m sayin damm it get the green horns out of the kitchen cause there messing it up for the people that have to use them like police fleet or other
Nick i’ve put turbos on the same cop car twice in one year there junk man, no shit about it had about 35,000 the time and 6 months later at almost 50,000
Thanks for the video. My MKS awe hasn’t worked correctly for the last 4 years (stopped working 3500 miles past warranty). Trans shop says I need the PTU replaced. Now the car needs a water pump. Tempted to junk the car, it’s been a nightmare to own.
I was a ford tech for 3yrs and services or replaced dozens of these. I've pulled some apart that have been so hot the fluid turned into a grease like substance. Good info as always Makuloco
Mazda uses the same transfer case on their CX-9 s up to 2015. We would see failures as low as 11000 miles. Generally the fluid would be totally burned and nothing is salvageable. The other thing that would happen, on higher-mileage vehicles would be the splines between the transmission and the transfer case would wear out. We had another vehicle with a transfer case that was cooled with an external cooler. Never had a problem with it except for an occasional oil leak.
Why would they. It performs exactly as they planned it to. Im sure they removed heat shields and additional fluid untill it failed at a predetermined time. Ford isnt worth a nickle but they fiercely support thier dealers with engineered catastrophes and specialty tools required to deter shade tree work. The focus alternators were a good one also. Pinched hatchback wires destroy 600$ alternators and somtimes computer also. Had to remove motor mounts and swing motor over to remove it from underneath. Its an opportunity for a good mechanic to make plenty. The triton 3 valve has probly sent kids to college and paid for houses. I would like to see premiums on ford vs others auto mechanical insurance.
This was the last straw that made me get rid of my Ecoboost MKS. Shame because I liked how much of a sleeper that car was but the minor annoyances added up over time and this one put me over the edge
had the ptu seals done or replaced completely 11 times until they finally figured it out..i couldnt even get ford or a garage to even take the car at one point..one time i had shop fix it for like 500 and had to drive it 1 mile to the ford shop who finally accepted d it and its been good for 75k miles..thank god
And they are also a high failure rate on Explorer and Taurus police cars and the Ford Tauruses and Explorers are in the shop more often than the Chevrolet Tahoe and even the Ford Crown Victoria.
From Buffalo, N.Y. Thank You very much for the information. I was hearing a loud whining noise thinking it was the transmission but was told the transmission is good. The garage suspects its the transfer case that's making that noise. Once again, THANK YOU.
thanks again for this tip! two years ago i picked up a '12 escape V6 AWD with 50k miles on it, and (after finding your videos about these) the first thing i did was have the transmission flushed and the PTU refilled, and i'll be sticking with a 30k mile schedule on both from here on out
I have a 08 Escape and in addition to changing the PTU fluid about every 30k I also add about an ounce of Lube Gard Gear Protectant. It is supposed to be good for removing heat from components. 175K and no problems so far.
My friend moved his catalytic converter further down away from the transfer case and he made a heat shield for the transfer case.. his seems to be doing fine so far. His car seems to be running better as well
My car has a transfer case made by Magna Powertrain. It has over 250k miles. There are no leaks. The oil has been changed only twice and the old oil had good color. I certainly haven't babied the car, hard accelerations and plenty of wheelspin in the winter.
Yup the only complaint I have about my 09 Flex was when this failed on the highway coming home. Over 2K later. All they need to do is add a drain plug so you can service it better. However the dealer wouldn't install a drain plug for me without voiding the warranty.
You can buy a awd Nissan. Ptu unit on a Nissan holds slightly less than a pint and they always leak. I work on Nissan's but every transverse mounted awd from any brand has a ptu mounted just like this.
Those engineers you speak of usually over time will have worked for all the major auto makers. Engineers generally renegotiate their contracts every 3 years or so. So that's the reason for the resemblance between cars of different brands.
Ford (and any other car company) should know that nothing is "built for life". We just got a used 2013 Ford Escape, so many of your videos have been useful - thanks!
I cm across your videos about the ford PTU, so I got the vacuum bleeder and a quart of oil and got under my 2012 escape. I opened it up and the oil was clean and perfectly normal! I was a bit surprised until I realize that the exhaust and catalytic convertor were far a way from the PTU on this car. Still well worth my time to change this out as a preventive maintenance. I like my Escape and want it to give me another 100K. Thanks for posting great content!
"Filled for life", yeah, filled for the life of that transfer unit, regardless of miles. Didn't we learn from the "Sealed for life" transmission fluid debacle on the Mercedes-Benz 722.6 transmissions two decades or so ago?
Supposedly some people are drilling and tapping a drain plug, I'm wondering if that would be worth it? Would make fluid changes much easier. We have 60k on our '08 and have already changed that intermediate shaft seal once. I've been worried about the oil inside baking into caked grease.
We replaced them because dirtbag service advisors tell customers it’s fine to put 2 brand new tires on the rear of an AWD vehicle when the fronts are worn and into the cords.
I'm a mechanic for Hertz rental car and I replaced more then a few but all have been the edge and the newer models don't seem to fail. We only keep cars to 40k or 50k tops. Never did one on the explorer.
Wish you would tell us on all the videos what year and miles these vehicles have and what the owners maintenance schedule was. The 5.4 video you did showing how clean it was with routine oil changes was cool. We're use to seeing neglected beaters, haha!
Ben Truby Yeah, unfortunately it did. Fluid was more like a paste before the first change of gear lube. Got progressively better after the oil was changed out but then the leak started and it got run low so the damage was done.
@@MrBentruby Eh, a fluid change might delay the headache of getting it swapped for some thousands of miles. Certainly couldn't hurt, but best of luck with the ptu either way you go
Another good video. Would removing the trim panel or splash guard do more harm than good? It would seem to allow more airflow. I don't care about losing a mpg in order to extend the life of the car. (2017 Escape AWD Titanium)
Hi......i was watching yours videos long time ago put there is something stopped me when you show us some problems for each car that makes me scarred ..because I was confused which is the best car to buy without problems... and you know replacement it’s to expensive even if I replaced myself...I know you’re given us very important information to make it easier for us....thank you very much and god bless you 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Just got my '16 Explorer 4x4/AWD, 35k miles, from Ford service, SECOND time in 5 weeks for same issue. First time I had it in for basic maintenance, they found an "oil leak" and "transmission fluid leak" (even though I had no leaks/drips on driveway), they had it in for an entire week. Oil leak was from "left seam of front cover", and transmission leak from PTU - they simply replaced seals. 5 weeks, 475 miles later, had a basketball-sized oil leak on driveway. Took it back, and they replaced Power Take Off Assembly for oil leak, replaced PTU for transmission fluid leak. From my (2nd) invoice: "Fluid leaking from the right axle seal at PTU area...inspect PTU found rough resulting in the axle seal, remove PTU, disassembly found signs of excessive heat, cost to repair exceeds cost to replace, install new PTU assembly" I'm curious, why did this repair take 3 days (they had to order PTU) while the first time took 7 days - and why didn't they just install new PTU and PTO the first time around if they are known to be bad? Fortunately both repairs were covered by either the 5 yr Powertrain Warranty or my Extended Warranty (it's 3.5 yo). Reading other posts, would have cost ~$3k!
Dennis Sanderson they were probably trying to save them having to do the work in the first place. Probably a stall technique to either get warranty approval or until they had less non warranty/non billable work in the shop.
I'M SORRY THAT I WAS STUPID TO BUY A AWD FORD EDGE - BOUGHT IT USED AT 20,000 MILES THAT HAD A DESTROYED PTU. IT IS A 2016, BUT LIVING IN ARKANSAS OZARKS IT IS HARD TO FIND A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE. I STILL ONLY HAVE LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON IT. IF I COULD ONLY FIND A FWD WITH LOW MILES, BUT DOUBT IT. THANKS FOR YOUR GREAT MECHANIC ABILITY TO INFORM US ABOUT FORD'S FAILURE TO PROTECT THEIR CUSTOMERS.
Ive replaced 2 PTU on my Escape Hybrid in 67,000 miles. The guy who owned it before me took the heat shield off... I didnt know it was supposed to have one! Also, make sure the passenger side half shaft has a good carrier bearing on the shaft. That can cause oil leak in just a few thousand miles
Thanks for this video. Love all your videos. I really appreciate the time you take to do these. Wish I would have paid attention to them. At 80K my PTU cracked the case due to the gear teeth breaking. Oil looked like Neverseize! thanks to you I was able to identify the "input shaft compression seal" that my manual says to replace when removing and reinstalling a PTU. Luckily the new PTU for a 2015 XSport comes with it already in place.
Amazing channel , the thing I have learned is the junk that late model Fords are. I was looking at a F150 and had no idea about the phaser / timing chain / oil pump / and spark plug issues. THANKS !
Louisburg KS Ford, 45 miles south of Kansas City MO, will perform PTU maintenance for $130, even if the unit is sealed. They use a fluid vacuum machine to suck the fluid out then fill it back up. It will get the majority of the old fluid out, but not 100%. Ask your Ford dealer if they will do this maintenance.
I stopped the video where you said that there is only a hole for filling BUT NO DRAIN! Besides cooking the oil by design, the engineers made it super hard to change it.
Hi, I have a 2013 Lincoln MKX and the PTU is pretty much done. I found a used unit from salvage with only 41,000km on it from a 2013 Ford Edge. I know I need to have some seals replaced, can you tell exactly what seals need to be replaced before installing this ptu? Should I get a drain plug put in? Thanks for all the great videos
Unfortunately this video is about 1 1/2 years to late. The transfer case gears came apart while we were traveling about 60mph in our 06’ Escape we use to have. It sounded like the rear drive shaft fell off and a bunch of grinding noise. Had it towed to a near by shop where they figured out the problem. I am super anal on maintenance but overlooked the tcase. Just turned 100k when this happened.
Two questions if you please.. 1). Can the casing be modified to accept a separate transmission type cooler and lines??? 2). Can a heat shield like found between the body and catalytic converter, be placed between the transfer unit and the converter??? If yes too both I can see this being a viable aid in prolonging the life of the seals, as well as changing the fluid ever 30,000 miles or sooner.
We've got a 10 or 11 Edge for a crew vehicle where I work. Before it was handed down to us it was a mangers vehicle. I would put money on stating the PTU (or any other fluids besides the engine oil) has never been changed, and it's got almost 160k miles on it. As a railroad vehicle it gets its fair share of off road driving, and a decent amount of idling time too. After watching this I'm kinda surprised we've never had any issues with it.
I’m a ford tech and I see a lot of these unit failing. The heat turns the fluid into a grease and it can lubricate the bearings anymore and burns them up. Only one part is replaceable inside it. No bearings or ring and pinion are serviceable parts
Tyler Bruno I was a Ford Tech as well. I keep my Fords in top shape. The PTU here was serviced 3 times prior to failure. The issue is I bought this Edge used with 64k miles. The previous owner never serviced the PTU and it was full of paste.
The paste is the oil breaking down and turning into a grease. With there being no drain it’s a real pia to replace the fluid and people don’t want to pay to have it done or don’t think it’s necessary. I see a lot of cop cars with the same failure because they are driven hard and idle a lot and the cat is right beside the ptu
This may be a little off subject, but I've heard in Ford five hundreds that the all wheel drive has the cvt transmissions ( with lots of problems) , but the front wheel drive only uses the Asin 6 speed automatic transmissions and they are suppose to be built very well. Is this correct? Thank you, John
Hi Brian I had the vent start puking on my 2010 edge just before extended warranty was up then a year later new unit started leaking from intermediate shaft seal I was told would have to replace the shaft because of pitting of the shaft caused the new leak. Thought you might want to mention this unless I just got suckered by the dealership because they had to put second PTU in mine. Thanks for the great videos
I have a 2015 f150 when it's cold outside low 60° I have a noise in the front end it's not the brakes it's not the ABS sensor I change both on left side but once the car warms up and running it doesn't do it no more it's not the bearings someone told me it could be the ABS pump making that noise it goes away once it warms up what is your opinion
I traded off a great running 2005 Freestyle because of this PTU failing on it. No shop in my area would work on it because it had the CVT trans. in it which they avoid like the plague.
I wonder if the same executives that approved/forced this design and said no to any sort of external cooling are the same ones that set the parameters for the 5.4?
Do the new ones have a drain plug? Sometimes, companies fix their screw ups at some point. It sure isn't a Ford nine inch. Companies are still building differentials based on that design.
My SHO is a 2013 with the lifetime fluid so I feel really special. I will feel even more special if it fails because Ford didn't put a drain plug in the case with a maintenance interval.
The right side half shaft goes straight through this unit and engages the transmission correct? So the actual differential for the front wheels is in the transaxle and this is just a pinion gear transferring power to the rear wheels?
Can the fluid be changed on a 2008 edge transaxel. I would like to do it myself for the experience our edge has 130 thousand miles. It has been servesed twice.
So does the PTU have to be removed to service the right hand intermediate shaft?? Or can it be serviced with it in the car. How do you get that cover off?
What signs should I be looking for to determine if the transfer case on my Ford 2010 Ford Escape XLT is failing? It has 187,000 miles and I am hearing a creaking noise when the vehicle first begins to move, especially if I am on incline, sometimes it does the same creaking noise when I come to slow stop, but I just assumed it was a creaky chassis, it being so old.
Great videos for the DIY or professional mechanic. I watch you & Eric from SMA every day after work. I'm a fellow mechanic who enjoys working on vehicles. I especially like doing things the "right way". As we've all learned in the early years of cussing, fighting and not understanding components installation or removal. It's really nice to see a very wise person approach when repairing a certain part. It's nice when you don't have to go into the woods alone! Plus the recommendations for the final product is done very well. Just wanted to let you know, I appreciate your hard work & professional approach along with the video efforts that goes into what you are teaching others. AAA+++!!!
Haynes R.M. now says change is at 15,000 in the Ford Fusion book. They don't have a Flex book. So I ordered the CD Ford 44,000 page manual. $25.00 Amazon. Yes we just bought a 2011 SEL. It's a thing with us. Fits right in with our 86 Pontiac 6000 ste 68 Mercury Montego MX pair of 67 Cougars.
You forgot the most common failure here; and that is the failure of commonsense; both of the designers/engineers at Ford and the general public for buying Ford products. Blind leading the blind.
DO you fill this till it drips out the fill hole, or is it less? I thought I read somewhere that they take less fluid then up to the fill hole. Thanks in advance.
Awesome job, Actually my Ford Edge 2014 AWD SEL running 120k Miles, Recently the Mechanical noticed that there is a bit of a leak from PTU and when we checked it smelled burnt oil even though the color is still crimson to brown. H advises replacing the PTU itself. Another friend advises me to change the PTU oil only. Please I need your suggestion asap
Anybody know if this is also used on the explorers? I was servicing an older decommissioned police interceptor and noticed a similar leak on the intermediate shaft seal. My work opted not to fix it since it only gets 3k miles a year currently but I am curious because it didn't look like trans fluid. It would make a lot of sense if this was the same failure
Any specialty puller or install tools for the I.S. seal? My mom's 07 mkx is leaking again...also, to change that seal, does the ptu have to be removed??
how much do you charge to replace them now? and where are you located my Ford Explorer, 2013 is starting to leak I just realized it when I went to change the oil I found the black grease all around it
Hello love your videos very informati am a fellow technicianHello love your videos very Informative I am A fellow Technician, I own a 2014 flex ecoboost all-wheel drive And I am experiencing a chatter when turning sharp At slow speeds At first I thought it was a transfer case But now I'm not so sure What are your recommendations
If you are having a catalytic converter over heat problem melting the seals check the evap valve. The value maybe sticking. The problem with the evap system is common and burns up the catalytic converter.
