2014 Ford Explorer XLT AWD and PTU Experience?

WhatsUpDOHC

WhatsUpDOHC

MM.net Village Idiot
Hello MM.net

I just bought a 2014 Explorer and I have been reading about the PTU and the changing of that oil.

I'm wondering if any of you have experience with this model year Explorer and the PTU and have tried any oil draining/changing methods.

Also does anyone have any experience with the installation of a PTU oil cooler?

Thanks in advance,

Mark

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My 2017 Fusion Sport has the cooled PTU and FORD does not recommend changing the oil.

BS!

They cook the fluid if you drive them hard.

I changed mine at 50k with full synthetic. (85-140W? IIRC).
Oil was dark....but not cooked.
I drained out more than FORD says the capacity is supposed to be...they claim 16 oz capacity.
I put back in exactly the amount (22oz) that I drained out and it was right up to the Fill plug level.

You need a special 'Torx Plus' T50P bit. It's got thicker points than a standard Torx T50 bit. Was like $9 at a NAPA store.

720669444859ba2bdd822f1fac05c9e0.jpg


BTW:
The next batch of pancakes that we made tasted like gear oil :puke:!!


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Last edited:
Suck it dry from the port on top, refill with the amount specified in the manual. We have replaced almost a dozen of those sealed for life units, we service them now.


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He talks about the cooled PTU? Not sure what he means by that. I have a 2016 Explorer Sport and I'm trying to decide if I change the PTU fluid. Finding and removing the vent cap is a PITA. I tried one weekend and could not get the vent cap removed. I feared I'd remove the whole vent line if I pulled to hard.
 
If it doesn't have a drain plug, most do not, remove the fill plug and suck out the fluid with a vacuum device and a small clear tube. Get as much out as possible and refill with 75w140 which is synthetic. I would do this every 30,000 miles. I am pretty sure the newer models have a drain plug. We have replaced several units in our shop at the dealership.
 
The alternate method is to drain the unit from the plug on the bottom, refill is a little tricky by creating a suction on the vent and vacuuming the fluid into the ptu through the port in the bottom, then with the vacuum still attached, remove the fill hose and install the cap.

From what our service guys told me, they have better luck getting more of the old fluid out that way and have manufactured their own device to create the vacuum through the vent.


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Fastbob said:
If it doesn't have a drain plug, most do not, remove the fill plug and suck out the fluid with a vacuum device and a small clear tube. Get as much out as possible and refill with 75w140 which is synthetic. I would do this every 30,000 miles. I am pretty sure the newer models have a drain plug. We have replaced several units in our shop at the dealership.
Click to expand...

Correct, the newer ones have a removable plug in the bottom/rear


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Spectragod said:
Correct, the newer ones have a removable plug in the bottom/rear
Click to expand...

Yep, My 2017 Fusion's PTU had a Fill and a Drain plug....just like a differential has.

Had to use a long fill hose and funnel, run in through the RF wheel well (I pulled the RF wheel) to refill the PTU.

BTW: Both plugs require a Torx T50-P that I had mentioned in a previous post.
 
Joe Walsh said:
My 2017 Fusion Sport has the cooled PTU and FORD does not recommend changing the oil.

BS!

They cook the fluid if you drive them hard.

I changed mine at 50k with full synthetic. (85-140W? IIRC).
Oil was dark....but not cooked.
I drained out more than FORD says the capacity is supposed to be...they claim 16 oz capacity.
I put back in exactly the amount (22oz) that I drained out and it was right up to the Fill plug level.

You need a special 'Torx Plus' T50P bit. It's got thicker points than a standard Torx T50 bit. Was like $9 at a NAPA store.

720669444859ba2bdd822f1fac05c9e0.jpg


BTW:
The next batch of pancakes that we made tasted like gear oil :puke:!!


Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Napa? To heck with lower prices, snap-on comes to me, I love sending his kid through college.......

4deb43fd2c310148105eeb7db7b77c1d.jpg



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crouse said:
He talks about the cooled PTU? Not sure what he means by that. I have a 2016 Explorer Sport and I'm trying to decide if I change the PTU fluid. Finding and removing the vent cap is a PITA. I tried one weekend and could not get the vent cap removed. I feared I'd remove the whole vent line if I pulled to hard.
Click to expand...

My Fusion Sport and my brother's Edge ST have coolant lines that run from the PTU up to the radiator....guessing that high HP AWD can cook the PTU if it wasn't cooled.


From the Ford Fusion Sport Forum:

https://www.fusionsportforums.com/threads/ptu-oil-change.12305/#post-202561



.
 
Last edited:
Thanks everyone for your replies! I'm going to get under the thing this weekend to see what's what.

Mark

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I changed he fluid on my 2016 Explorer Sport today. When I tried to remove the vent cap, I pulled the vent hose off of the top of the transfer case. I was able to just put a new 5/16" hose the entire length now. I drained about 11 ounces and refilled with about 12 ounces. From what I've read, most drain about 15 ounces. I had the front of my Explorer up on ramps. Not sure if mine was low on fluid or if the incline was the reason for the less fluid drained? The fluid was dark and the magnet had some small metal filings. Comments/suggestions?
 
crouse said:
I changed he fluid on my 2016 Explorer Sport today. When I tried to remove the vent cap, I pulled the vent hose off of the top of the transfer case. I was able to just put a new 5/16" hose the entire length now. I drained about 11 ounces and refilled with about 12 ounces. From what I've read, most drain about 15 ounces. I had the front of my Explorer up on ramps. Not sure if mine was low on fluid or if the incline was the reason for the less fluid drained? The fluid was dark and the magnet had some small metal filings. Comments/suggestions?
Click to expand...
Hats off to you! I knew that I'd never get to it. Paid the dealer to change the oil.

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