If our Mounty sells, I may consider picking up a Taurus or Sable with low (under 50K) miles. I'd be looking at a Duratec Model '03-04. I know Ford updated this trans several times to help with past issues but what kind of life can I expect out of one? Does it have a trans drain plug OEM? Will adding an auxillary cooler help it? Avoid it like the plague?
Ford A4XN reliability?
- Thread starter dwcopple
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somewhere in the middle. I believe 04+ are the most reliable
It seems like the ones with the most issues were the ones behind the 200hp duratech and earlier (Model year) was worse.
My grandma has an 03 with the vulcan and its been troublefree for 90k so far.... but she drives it like a..... Grandma.
It seems like the ones with the most issues were the ones behind the 200hp duratech and earlier (Model year) was worse.
My grandma has an 03 with the vulcan and its been troublefree for 90k so far.... but she drives it like a..... Grandma.
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Its better than the AXOD trans, but even that held up well in our Sable.
The cars are reliable if you dont abuse them. We got a good example and some hate their Taurus/Sables.. we would happily buy another well-maintained, good cosmetic condition example.
The cars are reliable if you dont abuse them. We got a good example and some hate their Taurus/Sables.. we would happily buy another well-maintained, good cosmetic condition example.
I have a 2000 Taurus (purchased new) w/249,900 on it. Original engine and transmission. The transmission is the weak spot on these cars. Fluid changes are critical in these cars. I do a pan drop once a year (35K). If I could find another clean, well-maintained example, I would not hesitate to purchase another.
thinking about inquiring on this one...
http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/detail.jsp?dealer_id=100042340&ct=u&car_id=311627323
http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/detail.jsp?dealer_id=100042340&ct=u&car_id=311627323
If the car are not rusted underneath they are not a bad car. But at 50K seems to be when alot of stuff breaks on these cars. I went over the pictures of that car. Looks clean. But the passenger side rear door doesn't seem to line up very well. Make sure you check that.
John
John
I have an 03 with 43000 on it. The car has had 1 new belt , tensioner, tires ,front brakes, and a battery. Synthetic pp or mc semi oil with motorcraft filters..
I fluid exchanged the trans and changed the filter last year. I used amsoil . that works great. the transmission never shifted so smooth. Some mercon v is full synthetic, some is not.
I have towed my kids [censored] up to college twice , about a 1000 pound load. No problem .I too have the vulcan. Do not like the duratec. Too many problems that i see online. bad cam sensors etc, . i had the similar motor in my 89 aerostar ,and 93 taurus , . They are rock solid.
I fluid exchanged the trans and changed the filter last year. I used amsoil . that works great. the transmission never shifted so smooth. Some mercon v is full synthetic, some is not.
I have towed my kids [censored] up to college twice , about a 1000 pound load. No problem .I too have the vulcan. Do not like the duratec. Too many problems that i see online. bad cam sensors etc, . i had the similar motor in my 89 aerostar ,and 93 taurus , . They are rock solid.
Originally Posted By: Ojustracing
I went over the pictures of that car. Looks clean. But the passenger side rear door doesn't seem to line up very well. Make sure you check that.
John
CarFax is on the site. No accidents listed. Potential buyer of the Mounty was a no show again. Gotta love it. That makes 4 so far.
I went over the pictures of that car. Looks clean. But the passenger side rear door doesn't seem to line up very well. Make sure you check that.
John
CarFax is on the site. No accidents listed. Potential buyer of the Mounty was a no show again. Gotta love it. That makes 4 so far.
JTK
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I know in Windstar world, the AX4N (starting in 2001) was much preferred over the earlier AX4S.
We had no drivetrain problems what so ever, owning the vehicle between 34K-80Kmi.
Like said, ATF changes are the important thing with these.
Joel
We had no drivetrain problems what so ever, owning the vehicle between 34K-80Kmi.
Like said, ATF changes are the important thing with these.
Joel
Dad got a 01 Vulcan with 90k miles and doing well, but they are not trouble free.
Transmission is improved near 2000 with steel piston in the valve body, but remember to also do the vent snorkel or else you may see huge spill from the dip stick when the transmission warm up with a plugged vent.
The cam synchronizer will squeal when worn out, make sure you replace it before it is too late and use only Motorcraft and not aftermarket parts, they don't last.
The rear springs will sag over time, if you are replacing it make sure you use Moog cargo coil.
There are better cars, but they are more expensive as well.
Transmission is improved near 2000 with steel piston in the valve body, but remember to also do the vent snorkel or else you may see huge spill from the dip stick when the transmission warm up with a plugged vent.
The cam synchronizer will squeal when worn out, make sure you replace it before it is too late and use only Motorcraft and not aftermarket parts, they don't last.
The rear springs will sag over time, if you are replacing it make sure you use Moog cargo coil.
There are better cars, but they are more expensive as well.
I had a '96 Windstar with the AX4S transmission.
The Windstar had more issues with the transmission due to the extra weight of the vehicle.
The ATF fluid change interval, as per the owner's manual, was every 30K miles (21K miles for severe service).
I highly recommend regulare ATF fluid exchanges using a high quality synthetic fluid that meets the Mercon V specification.
Mobil 1 ATF is a good over the counter product.
I used Red Line D4 ATF, which is also very good.
I don't think that there is a drain plug on the pan.
My '96 Windstar did not have one.
A auxillary cooler is a GREAT addition.
Another thing that I do.....in stop and go traffic, particularly in hot weather, I set the climate controls to a setting that has the A/C running.
THIS keeps the radiator fans running when you are not moving more than a certain speed.
This is critical because this keeps your transmission fluid MUCH cooler, as stop and go traffic is when you will really heat up the transmission.
The Auxillary cooler will also GREATLY help in this situation as well.
If you want to further help your transmission last.....add a Magnefine filter to the fluid return line (going INTO the transmission).
The BEST of the in-pan transmission fluid filters will filter down to a nominal particle size of about 80 microns.
The Magnefine filter will filter down to a nominal particle size of about 35 microns.
This will help to keep the critical fluid valve areas clean.
A Magnefine is very inexpensive and easy to install/change.
Recommended Change interval is 15K miles or once a year.
Inside the Magnefine filter.....filter element with a pressure bypass to let fluid flow through the middle of the element if the element should become clogged.
The BIG washer looking item is the magnet that catches a lot of ferris particles since all the fluid flows over it.
The Windstar had more issues with the transmission due to the extra weight of the vehicle.
The ATF fluid change interval, as per the owner's manual, was every 30K miles (21K miles for severe service).
I highly recommend regulare ATF fluid exchanges using a high quality synthetic fluid that meets the Mercon V specification.
Mobil 1 ATF is a good over the counter product.
I used Red Line D4 ATF, which is also very good.
I don't think that there is a drain plug on the pan.
My '96 Windstar did not have one.
A auxillary cooler is a GREAT addition.
Another thing that I do.....in stop and go traffic, particularly in hot weather, I set the climate controls to a setting that has the A/C running.
THIS keeps the radiator fans running when you are not moving more than a certain speed.
This is critical because this keeps your transmission fluid MUCH cooler, as stop and go traffic is when you will really heat up the transmission.
The Auxillary cooler will also GREATLY help in this situation as well.
If you want to further help your transmission last.....add a Magnefine filter to the fluid return line (going INTO the transmission).
The BEST of the in-pan transmission fluid filters will filter down to a nominal particle size of about 80 microns.
The Magnefine filter will filter down to a nominal particle size of about 35 microns.
This will help to keep the critical fluid valve areas clean.
A Magnefine is very inexpensive and easy to install/change.
Recommended Change interval is 15K miles or once a year.
Inside the Magnefine filter.....filter element with a pressure bypass to let fluid flow through the middle of the element if the element should become clogged.
The BIG washer looking item is the magnet that catches a lot of ferris particles since all the fluid flows over it.
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