I want to start by saying that everyone's posts about the PTU fluid change has been beyond helpful! I have a 2011 Lincoln MKT AWD. I took it in a couple weeks ago to the dealer to get the PTU and rear diff serviced. They seemed to not have an issue with what I was asking until I picked up the car. The service manager said the PTU is not a "serviceable part". WTF? He continued to say that it is a lifetime fluid and can only be replaced if a "contamination" has occurred. I asked the obvious question about how would I know if the PTU fluid is contaminated unless you drained it. He did not have much to say. They changed the rear diff and sent me on my way. I have been having the smell others have talked about when stopped - that burning almost propane like smell coming from the vents when not on recirculate. I also notice a small sludge spot in my garage recently after a drive to the mountains.
I ended up finding a transmission shop who had some clue as to what needed to be done. I dropped it off yesterday. They called me a couple hours later and said the PTU is full of sludge and had metal shavings on the plug. Thanks to everyone on here, I expected this. They sucked out about 10oz of the sludge and refilled with redline oil. He also noted that the relief valve had clearly puked out fluid. He cleaned it up. After driving a bit yesterday, the smell is gone!!!!! My MKT seems smoother and coast so much better. I will pay attention to the mpg and see if I notice a change. I will take it back and repeat the service in a few thousand miles.
I ended up finding a transmission shop who had some clue as to what needed to be done. I dropped it off yesterday. They called me a couple hours later and said the PTU is full of sludge and had metal shavings on the plug. Thanks to everyone on here, I expected this. They sucked out about 10oz of the sludge and refilled with redline oil. He also noted that the relief valve had clearly puked out fluid. He cleaned it up. After driving a bit yesterday, the smell is gone!!!!! My MKT seems smoother and coast so much better. I will pay attention to the mpg and see if I notice a change. I will take it back and repeat the service in a few thousand miles.
