PTU Power Transfer Unit Drain and Fill Plugs?

[jmcgliss]

After several dealers refused to replace our PTU fluid on a 2015 MKZ 2.0 AWD, our independent mechanic gave it a shot. 38,000 miles on the clock.

 

Our PTU does have a drain plug (requires a T50 Plus Torx bit), but he could not get the smaller fill plug loose.  Says he'll only try harder if I bring a spare plug, just in case.

 

Edit: Our Ford dealer ordered drain and fill plugs, so that was easy.  Could not find them online. 

 

First photo is the drain plug. Second photo is the fill plug.

 

Edited November 21, 2023 by jmcgliss

[scn101]

When you say that "he could not get the smaller fill plug loose," what did he try?  I had a similar situation, not on a PTU but on a manual transmission, and I used a propane torch to heat the area around the plug, and for good measure, I then zapped the inside of the plug with a short blast of freeze spray (you can use a can of dust off upside down for the same effect).  I would try heat alone first.  Then if that doesn't work, once it all cools down, redo the heat and try the freeze spray.  For me, the plug came out after doing both.  You do need to be fairly quick about all of the steps so the heat doesn't transfer to the plug...expanding it as well.  On another note, I had a rough time trying to install a freeze plug once, finally resorted to putting the plug in the freezer overnight.  Next morning it when in no problem, just a few light taps. 

[jmcgliss]

On 6/24/2023 at 4:17 PM, scn101 said:

When you say that "he could not get the smaller fill plug loose," what did he try?  I had a similar situation, not on a PTU but on a manual transmission, and I used a propane torch to heat the area around the plug, and for good measure, I then zapped the inside of the plug with a short blast of freeze spray (you can use a can of dust off upside down for the same effect).  I would try heat alone first.  Then if that doesn't work, once it all cools down, redo the heat and try the freeze spray.  For me, the plug came out after doing both.  You do need to be fairly quick about all of the steps so the heat doesn't transfer to the plug...expanding it as well.  On another note, I had a rough time trying to install a freeze plug once, finally resorted to putting the plug in the freezer overnight.  Next morning it when in no problem, just a few light taps. 

 

Yes, he tried the heat method, but I was not there to see if he also froze the plug.  His Torz bit started to twist and that's when a timeout was called.  

 

Update:  Our Ford dealer's parts department was able to order the two plugs that arrived in 2-3 days.  A Torx T-50 Plus bit is needed.

The fill plug not only has threads but a shoulder above that - which makes getting penetrant in there difficult (and conversely helps prevent leaks).  It's a different design from an oil drain plug with crush washer.

Edited August 2, 2023 by jmcgliss