How to fix a Ford PTU, for good.

[enigma-2]

 

[Dudester]

Dorman??, not really the first name that comes to mind for performance.

[STBEAST]

What an informative video. They fixed what Ford overlooked, or just didn't care about reliability and longevity. I have the 2024 St does anyone know if this ptu is the same as my vehicle or have they made any changes from this ptu?

[omar302]

9 hours ago, STBEAST said:

What an informative video. They fixed what Ford overlooked, or just didn't care about reliability and longevity. I have the 2024 St does anyone know if this ptu is the same as my vehicle or have they made any changes from this ptu?

 

The 2019+ Edge refresh  got a different PTU than previous models. 

[enigma-2]

True enough, but the Dorman model had a built-in heat shield, drain and fill plugs (no advantage for 2019+) and improved seals. 

 

Usually don't like Dorman parts, but in this one situation, worth considering.

 

I had mine replaced a  couple of years ago under extended warranty. They replaced with an upgraded model. But if this one needs replacing, I'd consider this Dorman model.

[enigma-2]

10 hours ago, STBEAST said:

What an informative video. They fixed what Ford overlooked, or just didn't care about reliability and longevity. I have the 2024 St does anyone know if this ptu is the same as my vehicle or have they made any changes from this ptu?

The sell on Amazon. Look it up and see if they ref your 2024.

 

Dorman 600-234XD Patented Power Transfer Unit Assembly Compatible with Select Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Models (OE FIX)

 

https://a.co/d/3K0kHZo

[Haz]

@STBEAST: PTU Description and Operation section for 2.7L EcoBoost, from the 2022-2024 Edge Workshop Manual, attached below as PDF document...

 

Good luck!

 

Power Transfer Unit - Description and Operation - 2.7L EcoBoost - 2022-2024 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf

[TourGuide]

The Amazon reviews cite several reports of seals being installed backwards on this unit causing leaks upon install.  As promising as this unit looks - the current run of product seems to have problems - and in the review chain on Amazon - there is no response from Dorman.  This kind of thing would create all sorts of chaos in the shop and for a customer.  

 

It also appears that for the 2019 and up - where the design changed - this product is not available.

[TourGuide]

13 hours ago, enigma-2 said:

True enough, but the Dorman model had a built-in heat shield, drain and fill plugs (no advantage for 2019+) and improved seals. 

 

My 2019 does not have a drain plug (Thanks FORD) it has the cooler unit in it.

[enigma-2]

On 12/20/2024 at 12:25 PM, TourGuide said:

 

My 2019 does not have a drain plug (Thanks FORD) it has the cooler unit in it.

Thought that the PTU drain plug was added starting on the 2015 model year. Definitely there on the 2019.

 

Or was were models that still got the 1st gen PTUs?

Edited December 22, 2024 by enigma-2

[TourGuide]

15 hours ago, enigma-2 said:

Thought that the PTU drain plug was added starting on the 2015 model year. Definitely there on the 2019.

 

Or was there models that still got the 1st gen PTUs?

 

I have no knowledge of which generation ptu ended up in my 2019, but it does ENRAGE me that FORD designed this GEAR BOX sans the drain plug to make it as difficult to service as possible.  In addition to the heat soak with the position - the straight tiny quantity of lube keeping this thing alive is one of the problems.  

Ford Engineering:  "Hey EVERYBODY!  We've got this great idea to build a gear box without a way to change the lubricant.  Isn't that a GREAT IDEA?!!"

 

Everybody:  Sound of crickets....

[Haz]

@TourGuide: Information on your Edge's PTU from the 2019 Edge Workshop Manual. attached below as PDF documents...

 

 

Good luck!

 

Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Draining and Filling - 2.0L EcoBoost - General Procedures - 2019 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - 2.0L EcoBoost - Description and Operation - 2019 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - 2.0L EcoBoost - Specifications - 2019 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Fluid Level Check - 2.0L EcoBoost - General Procedures - 2019 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf

[TourGuide]

The Haz, the myth, the legend - Thank you again for helping the community Haz!  

 

I actually own the ST with the 2.7 and I have the aux cooler strapped on my ptu.  

[Haz]

@TourGuide: The content of 2.7L EcoBoost PTU documents is identical to the above-posted 2.0L EcoBoost versions.

 

I saw 2.0L Forum posts on your Profile and just assumed -- and we all know what that makes me!

 

Good luck!

 

[1004ron]

5 hours ago, TourGuide said:

The Haz, the myth, the legend - Thank you again for helping the community Haz!  

 

I actually own the ST with the 2.7 and I have the aux cooler strapped on my ptu.  

Please add your Model and Year to your profile signature, and location - https://www.fordedgeforum.com/settings/signature/

[1004ron]

Is there a list of what's upgraded in the PTU shown in the video, or is it only the thermal shield?

[TourGuide]

2 hours ago, 1004ron said:

Please add your Model and Year to your profile signature, and location - https://www.fordedgeforum.com/settings/signature/

 

I actually just went in and checked that - it is in my profile.  Maybe I need to add a custom signature or something.

[TourGuide]

Couple interesting bits of trivia about this process with the cooler installed on my unit.  On my unit there is no drain plug - so - I am stuck with an extract and fill - as a jobber solution (cheaper) that doesn't follow the service procedure.  

 

OR

 

According to the OE instructions - I remove and replace the cooler unit with a new one (service kit alone is ~$300 bucks) - then your looking at fluid and labor to remove a frame cross member to even be able to remove the cooler in the first place.  I have no idea what the labor on that would be - I'm guessing expensive.  

 

All of this in order to do a proper spill and fill - because it doesn't have a drain plug.

[garycrist]

@TourGuide Search through this forum as all that needs to be replaced are the

2 fasteners. The part numbers and a member's remarks are also provided,.. Cheers

[enigma-2]

18 minutes ago, garycrist said:

@TourGuide Search through this forum as all that needs to be replaced are the

2 fasteners. The part numbers and a member's remarks are also provided,.. Cheers

It is my understanding that the cause of the PTU failures is due to excessive heat from the engine exhaust and Cat. It overheats the lubricant and causes it to boil and thicken; forcing it to be ejected out of the vent. It smalls terrible as well. It loses its ability to lubricate the bearings and seals; causing their failure. This is how my PTU failed. 

 

In later versions of the PTU, the did a modification and increased the size of the main bearing and revamped the seals (i haven't verified this, its what they told me when they replaced mine.) No drain however, still stating lifetime lubricant. (Dealer still recommends  drain and fill at 30k intervals.)

[1004ron]

10 hours ago, TourGuide said:

 

I actually just went in and checked that - it is in my profile.  Maybe I need to add a custom signature or something.

Yes, that's correct, you need to add it to your signature because the owners of this forum are too lazy or dumb to correct the reason why the profile details do not show.

 

.

 

 

Edited December 22, 2024 by 1004ron

[STBEAST]

 First, a big thank you to Haz for the PDF.  It looks like the 2.7 uses a different ptu (known as the 'high torque' model) even though they look the same. I did notice they have added a heat shield, drain plug and temp. sender. I don't see a fill plug, but I am guessing you remove the temperature sender to achieve this. 

I also see the cooler which routes (hot) coolant through the ptu via hoses and an electric motor to circulate the coolant through the ptu cooler. 

My observation-when you shut the vehicle off, the electric motor continues to run for a few minutes. I am guessing this helps with heat soak?

This thing must really get hot if they are using hot coolant to keep the temperature down.

What I don't understand is how Ford would wait until the last 2 years of production to finally make these improvements (the pdf applies to the 22-24 edge).

It took all those failures for Ford to finally wake up? Sad.

 

[Mark Q]

I had this PTU installed in my 2013 Edge about a year and a half ago at a local independent garage .  The first ford OEM unit went out a 26K and was replaced under warranty.  The second one went out around 105K and that's when I looked for an after market alternative.  Like the reviews on Amazon and other sites, Dorman had installed the axle seal backwards and the unit leaked.  The garage replaced the seals under warranty and I haven't had any more problems.  I've put about 15K on the new PTU.  Function and noise level are equivalent to the OEM PTU.  

 

Dorman has a break in procedure they recommend when first installed and they suggest replacing the fluid after the first 500 miles and every 10,000 miles after that.  A sheet came with the PTU that outlines their procedure and fluid change requirements.  10,000 mile fluid changes seem a little excessive, but if you want to keep the warranty intact you'll need to have records it was done.  At least there's a drain plug to simplify the procedure. 

 

No fluid changes were done on the two OEM PTU's that failed.  I check with 2 dealers and 3-4 independent shops locally and nobody would change the fluid.  They all said the same thing - lifetime fluid.  Only one transmission shop said they tried on other edges and couldn't suction the fluid out - probably because it was already sludged up before they tried.

 

Except for the original leak I'm satisfied with the part so far.  Hopefully it will last a long as the vehicle.