ATF In 01 zx2 escort

[DrDusty86]

I just registered, learning the search function but I still find myself "question happy". So bare with me people
My car is a 01 zx2 DOHC ford Escort with 192k miles. I have run Royal purple max atf the last 145k, I drain the transaxle every year and replace 1.5 qts of atf, then every other year I drop the pan and replace the filter. The drain plug on the transaxle is not magnetic, I'm looking for a size or magnetic one that will fit, anybody have info on it? Also is the turkey baster method with RP atf sufficient every year?
Thanks,
Dustin

 

[chubbs1]

Do a search for magnetic drain plugs on google, the turkey baster method is fine as long as you stick with the same fluid.

 

[DrDusty86]

I have, but I have come up empty.

 

[hate2work]

Find out the thread size you need, then call these guys.

http://www.magneticdrainplug.com/

You could also put a flat magnet right on your drain pan, the ones out of old HDs work well.

 

[pbm]

Dusty:
Is this ZX-2 an automatic or a stick that uses ATF?
1.5 quarts seems awful little to drain from an automatic.

PS: Those Zetecs can run a long time if the tranny and the rest of the car hold up. I always liked the ZX-2. If I found a nice 2003 (the last year they made it) I might even buy it.

 

[DrDusty86]

unfortunately this car is an auto. It only drains 1.5qts when I remove the transaxle plug. I do the pan and filter changes every other year. the pan yields about 3 qts as well. looking for the drain plug that is magnetic for the transaxle?.... I haven't even found the size. What size is the plug? The car is nice, I have kept the interior in perfect shape with seat covers and even towels on the floor boards.... Yes i'm OCD lol
Dusty

 

[cos]

I'd guess DrDusty86 has an auto because I had a ZX2 wih a manual 5 speed (Mazda G5M transaxle) and it held 3.55 qts.

 

[SAJEFFC]

Cool...welcome fellow ZX2 driver! I have a 2000 ZX2 auto with 92k on it. I inherited it from my Dad Sep of 09 with 58k on it! Yes I drive alot. They are fun little cars and do run forever with good maintenance. I've done a lot of research and the auto tranny is the only weak point. I've done 15k fluid exchanges on a machine and pan drop filter change every 30k on mine. They only hold 4.1 quarts with a complete refill! I don't think you are getting enough out of that drain plug to help any. Find a shop you trust and get a fluid exchange(NOT FLUSH) EVERY 15-20K miles and it will last a long time. Enjoy the site!

 

[SAJEFFC]

Originally Posted By: pbm
Dusty:
Is this ZX-2 an automatic or a stick that uses ATF?
1.5 quarts seems awful little to drain from an automatic.

PS: Those Zetecs can run a long time if the tranny and the rest of the car hold up. I always liked the ZX-2. If I found a nice 2003 (the last year they made it) I might even buy it.
They are a great little commuter car and they are all over craigslist. My commute is 30 miles each way mostly highway and I average 32-33 mpg at 70ish. On long roadtrips the car will get 38-39 mpg every time! Not too shabby for a 11 yr old car with automatic and "old" technology.

 

[unDummy]

Skip the flush. Drain/refill with quality ATF is good enough every 6months-year depending on miles driven.

Invest your money in Magnafine inline ATF and PSF filters. Change them every 20k-30k miles. With the Magnafine, you can reduce the hassle and frequency of AT pan drops.

OCD? not even close for this website.

 

[cos]

My '99 ZX2 (I bought it new) was super reliable and got great MPG. My only complaint was hwy cruising - the engine noise at 70+ MPH was very annoying. It had 4.10 axle (with 185/65-14s) so the rpms were up there and there was no hood or firewall insulation (cost savings no doubt). My Fusion is w-a-y quieter, like night and day - a very welcome change after dealing with engine drone for seven yrs.

 

[SAJEFFC]

Originally Posted By: cos
My '99 ZX2 (I bought it new) was super reliable and got great MPG. My only complaint was hwy cruising - the engine noise at 70+ MPH was very annoying. It had 4.10 axle (with 185/65-14s) so the rpms were up there and there was no hood or firewall insulation (cost savings no doubt). My Fusion is w-a-y quieter, like night and day - a very welcome change after dealing with engine drone for seven yrs.
Yours must have been a 5spd standard, they had the lower gears. My auto has 3:74 gears and turns 2600-2700 at 70 so it's a good cruiser.

 

[mechtech2]

I am a ZX2 expert, but not with their so-so auto trannys.
Since you have a pan, you have an auto tranny.
Mercon was originally spec'd for this car.
Mercon5 was a no-no, but is now OK!
Your RP should be very good.
It would be very tedious to drain and fill a tranny with the TB method. But sure, anything that removes the old fluid is OK.
Use the TB method for the PS, BTW. 3-4 times in succession ought to be good.

 

[Kestas]

I have 201K on my 98 ZX2 transmission. I've done 30K fluid exchanges with regular Mercon. No hiccups yet.

They're great cars, and yes, mechtech2 is the go-to guy for issues with this model.

 

[SAJEFFC]

201K... wow, that's good to know. At my current rate I will be there in 3 yrs, great to know the auto's will hold up with good maintenance. Thanks and sorry for the hijack!

 

[DrDusty86]

you guys are great.
Thanks
Dusty
PS TB method is for the power steering, I take the transaxle plug out ever year and do a pan drop ever other year.

 

[Kestas]

A fluid exchange for the ZX2 is a real pain. I disconnect the banjo fitting on top of the radiator and use that. I had to make some special tooling, and it's still a holy mess to exchange the fluid.

 

[mechtech2]

As you can see, good maintenance is the key,
Especially so in a normally abused and neglected ZX2 tranny [by the average civilian].