Wrong tranny Fluid.

[Paul S]

What would happen if the person that changed the Tranny Fluid took a short cut and put in regular transmission fluid rather than the special Mercon fluid that Ford uses?

2000 XLT 4.6 Liter 2 wheel drive, 77000 Miles

 

[ELVATO]

Did they drive with it, and for how long?

I'm not really sure, but I figured I'd ask...

 

[Paul S]

I have been driving on the transmission fluid for about.1 year. The trans slips into 3rd gear and immediately drops onto the next gear and finally OD. The only problem is the shift from 2-3. If I am accelerating hard it shifts at 3000rpm and go to redline of I don't let up on the gas. The problem only happens the first time it shifts. After slipping one time it is pretty much fine, until it is turned off and restarted.

 

[ELVATO]

Have you changed it, yet? I'd probably start with that.

 

[JUST4FUN]

i guess the fuel filter did"nt work. well i would get the trans looked at could be a simple fix

 

[Paul S]

The fuel filter seems to make it better, but lately It is just getting worse.
It is only the shift from 2-3 the first time. It is too weird. Down here in So.
Florida there is no place to go. I am sure it will be a $3000.00 rebuild. I have never seen so many crooks in one place. they will do a $50.00 fix and say they rebuilt the whole tranny.

 

[JUST4FUN]

ford dealer in your area?

 

[Paul S]

Sawgrass Ford, the biggest crooks you will ever meet. Just commisioned salesholes. When my son's 2005 trans blew a seal they charged him $1500. To change a seal that shouldn't have gone at 56000 miles.

I will probaly end up there but I really don't trust them. 2 brothers I play Ice Hockey with have a repair/speed shop. I asked them and all they could say was be very careful. They also mentioned Ford because there you will have recourse if they screw you. And they added you will get screwed.

 

[JUST4FUN]

do you have any friends that are cops? if so find where they get their trans work done.

 

[cardude427]

Well I just had to replace 2 tranny seals in my '97 5.4 eddie bauer, and while I was doing it everyone said be sure to use the Mercon fluid other wise you can clog up the transmission, destroy seals, and in worst case blow the tranny so I listened. In your case you should empty out the tranny and put all new fluid in it and replace the filter at the same time, then get it flushed later down the line.

 

[Paul S]

Today I had the transmission emptied, changed the filter and I cannot believe the difference. It is like a new transmission, smooth shifts, no hang ups on 2-3, unbeliveable. If it stays like this I will be ecstatic. Turns out the SpeeDee oil change ripoff down here never did a thing. The original plug was still in the transmission pan and the filter was the original from the factory. The guys that did the work showed me everything as they did the job. I have 2 words for the ******** at SpeeDee, and it is not "good job."

Kudo's to the men at G&S performance in Ft. Lauderdale and KMA to the #$%^%$#s at SpeeDee in Plantation or Davie.

I want to thank all of the members that helped me out of this mess, good job and God Bless.