Zf Heat Exchanger

[Bomber]

So will Elite pay for the tranny rebuild from milkshake if you followed that advice? This from a supposedly reputable workshop. Ignorant at best - trying to fleece at worst. The supplied hoses are more than adequate mate but go braided if you want. Bottom line though, get rid of the factory hand grenade.

[Seaton]

I'm currently thinking about replacing the stock heat exchanger for a PWR. It is worth getting the braided lines? And who in Brisbane (prefer Southside) could fit it up for me? I did check with Elite Automotive but they said to replace it with a stock one every 2 years and flush the oil. Cost around $900. I'd rather just spend some extra now than paying $900 every 2 years.

That $900 is including a full oil flush don't forget.

The factory exchanger on its own is around $150.

[ratter]

my dealer tells me there are 4 different ones and range from just under $200 to high $200 iirc

[Seaton]

My 'yellow dot ID' exchanger was definitely $150 a few months ago directly from ford. Can't comment on the other ones.

Then bought 20L of Nulon trans fluid and a gasket/pan filter kit. $210 for those.

Although.... I am using genuine ZF fluid now. Not the Nulon.

[Bomber]

^^^ you do know maintenance has nothing to do with them failing?

[Seaton]

Yes I'm well aware. Thank you mate.

Don't believe I mentioned anywhere it was maintenance related. Haha.

I service my ZF yearly as I do a few track days a year. I choose to change the exchanger at the same time.

Edited 07/01/15 01:55 AM by Seaton

[discostig]

That's what made me paranoid. I'm sure they've died when practically new out of the factory.

[Bomber]

Wasn't meaning to be rude mate. The only reason I said it was that it comes up often.

There is this misconception that provided you do frequent coolant changes and maybe swap it out every year, you'll be fine. They rarely fail from corrosion. Orange dot, yellow dot or whatever, they're all sh*t. Given the consequences of failure, it's just a too bigger gamble imo.

[Bomber]

^^^ and yes Stever I know of one that failed on an F6 with 8,000klm on the clock. Luckily, was under warranty of course and the car was completely stock so no outs for Ford.

[superfly]

That $900 is including a full oil flush don't forget.

The factory exchanger on its own is around $150.

Yeah I know it includes an oil flush but is that really necessary to do every 2 years? Sure I could replace the stock one every couple of years without the flush but as mentioned it could still fail. I do about 18K a year. I'll be keeping this car for a number of years so I'll have to go the PWR way. Once I buy the kit, I'll just find someone locally to fit it for us. Might get the Ford dealer to do it for me.