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Which Fluid to Use in an AOD?

  • Thread starter Thread starter McCahl Reynolds
  • Start date Start date Oct 26, 2020
M

McCahl Reynolds

Member
Jul 31, 2020
6
1
13
Gimli, MB, Canada
Oct 26, 2020
#1
  • Oct 26, 2020
  • #1
So here’s my situation, i recently acquired my second foxbody, a 1986 V6 Convertible mustang LX, and having some problems.
In the morning when cold, it is super delayed inshifting, will take couple of seconds to engage when i start from stop, and will hesitate to shift to 2nd, when i turn it will also downshift i assume and then hesitate to engage. so i have taken to driving around my neighbourhood until it seems to be warmed up, this takes like 10 min, and then it shifts perfectly fine from them onwards throughout the day. so i don’t think the tranny needs a rebuild necessarily. there is a bit of a squeaking tho when driving from a stop which i assume is another indication of low fluid.
i checked the fluid and it seems to be about half, so i’m hoping thats the issue.
i thought it had the 3spd auto that my 84 L has, but i read in 86 they put the AOD 4spd with 4th being overdrive, so what kind of fluid would you all reccomend?
i don’t have the funds for much else besides adding fluid at the moment.
 

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M

McCahl Reynolds

Member
Jul 31, 2020
6
1
13
Gimli, MB, Canada
Oct 26, 2020
#2
  • Oct 26, 2020
  • #2
McCahl Reynolds said:
So here’s my situation, i recently acquired my second foxbody, a 1986 V6 Convertible mustang LX, and having some problems.
In the morning when cold, it is super delayed inshifting, will take couple of seconds to engage when i start from stop, and will hesitate to shift to 2nd, when i turn it will also downshift i assume and then hesitate to engage. so i have taken to driving around my neighbourhood until it seems to be warmed up, this takes like 10 min, and then it shifts perfectly fine from them onwards throughout the day. so i don’t think the tranny needs a rebuild necessarily. there is a bit of a squeaking tho when driving from a stop which i assume is another indication of low fluid.
i checked the fluid and it seems to be about half, so i’m hoping thats the issue.
i thought it had the 3spd auto that my 84 L has, but i read in 86 they put the AOD 4spd with 4th being overdrive, so what kind of fluid would you all reccomend?
i don’t have the funds for much else besides adding fluid at the moment.
Click to expand...
TO CLARIFY
it’s the carbed v6, but all i can find is that in 86 it was an EFI v6, so very confused. does anyone know what kind of tranny would’ve came with a 3.8 carbed automatic mustang LX convertible?
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
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Oct 26, 2020
#3
  • Oct 26, 2020
  • #3
It may be cfi, it is a throttle body with injectors in the top
 
Reactions: revhead347

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
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#4
  • Oct 26, 2020
  • #4
If you go into any parts store, the parts guy can look up what fluid to run in it.

Kurt
 

CarMichael Angelo

my rearend will smell so minty fresh,
15 Year Member
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#5
  • Oct 26, 2020
  • #5
or use that Google thingy...Mercon V
 
M

McCahl Reynolds

Member
Jul 31, 2020
6
1
13
Gimli, MB, Canada
Oct 27, 2020
#6
  • Oct 27, 2020
  • #6
revhead347 said:
If you go into any parts store, the parts guy can look up what fluid to run in it.

Kurt
Click to expand...
I ended up asking a mechanic freind and his dad sayid to use type f, filled it up last night and seemed to work
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,902
10,555
203
polk county florida
Oct 27, 2020
#7
  • Oct 27, 2020
  • #7
That's not the right fluid but if you only put in a quart or two it will not hurt.
F type fluid is so 1970, you came here for expert advice but didn't take it, sooooooo
 

TOOLOW91

If you're the village idiot what's that make me?
20+ Year Stangneter
Nov 29, 1999
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Oct 27, 2020
#8
  • Oct 27, 2020
  • #8
General karthief said:
That's not the right fluid but if you only put in a quart or two it will not hurt.
F type fluid is so 1970, you came here for expert advice but didn't take it, sooooooo
Click to expand...
Weird because my aod takes type f and does just fine . Straight from Freddy brown - run whatever the cheapest type f you can find .

My answer was going to be it calls for mercon v but you can also use type f .
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,249
17,931
224
Massachusetts
Oct 27, 2020
#9
  • Oct 27, 2020
  • #9
DexIII/Mercon is the original specified fluid. It is still available

Type F lacks friction modifiers in it's fluid, while Mercon has various levels depending on which one you get. Merc V has specific additives designed to address shudder from torque converter lockup which is not applicable with the AOD.

As to what can be used where....that debate is all over the internet, along with the Type F vs Mercon in a Mustang power steering system debate.
 
Reactions: MustangJoe413, Ryuk and TOOLOW91

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,297
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Acworth, GA
Oct 27, 2020
#10
  • Oct 27, 2020
  • #10
I just looked it up on Advance's website. Took me 30 seconds. Mercon V.

Kurt
 
Reactions: General karthief
M

MustangJoe413

New Member
Dec 10, 2010
13
1
3
West Springfield, MA
Oct 31, 2020
#11
  • Oct 31, 2020
  • #11
Dexron/mercon is the correct fluid, unless it's been rebuilt and the rebuilder specifies otherwise..period! Mercon 5 or type f are not the correct fluid for an AOD.
 

Adieu

Easy there, this ain't a dating site.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 7, 2002
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#12
  • Oct 31, 2020
  • #12
revhead347 said:
I just looked it up on Advance's website. Took me 30 seconds. Mercon V.

Kurt
Click to expand...
Advance's fluid references are wildly inaccurate. I used to work for those idiots.
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,297
1,641
214
Acworth, GA
Oct 31, 2020
#13
  • Oct 31, 2020
  • #13
MustangIIMatt said:
Advance's fluid references are wildly inaccurate. I used to work for those idiots.
Click to expand...
So did I. But it was 30 seconds and could be backed up with a second source.

Kurt
 
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