Is there something wrong with my transmission?

[Technarch]

Vehicle is an automatic 2000 Ford Focus ZX3.

I am wondering about my transaxle.

For some time now, if the trans is in Drive while I am at a stop, I can feel vibrating coming through the steering wheel and seat and stuff, but if I put it into Neutral it really smoothens out and all vibration stops.. same deal with park. Does the vibing in Reverse and Drive though.

Now oddly, sometimes if I shift it into neutral and then back into drive, the vibing is a lot better. Not always, but sometimes.. like I can be in drive and it's not shaking around.

It also seems slightly more moany when it is cold, but when it warms up it gets quieter. Sometimes acceleration sucks (like when you press the gas, sometimes to the floor, and the car just ignores you and continues accelerating steadily but doesn't downshift unless you make it, this might be a focus ECU issue), sometimes it is great.

The main issue is the vibing.

I have no idea what it could be. I'm just afraid because I have very little money.

 

[Titanium_Alloy]

Hi can you provide some info about your car like:

How many miles on the car?
Have you ever changed ATF?
Have you ever used fuel cleaners like Techron, Redline SI - 1, or any other?
What's your oil change interval?
Have you ever replaced spark plugs/air filter?

Give us more info and I'm sure someone can pinpoint the problem.

Regards,

 

[94MaxGXE]

........engine vibration at idle......tune it up....Clean those injectors with some Techron. Use a little Lucis OCL afetr.... gitten cold now....change the oil with something like Pennzoil 5w30. Change the Air Filter cus it's never been changed. Take that heavy floor mat out from under the gas pedal to get it to downshift properly........Rev it up! Use good gasoline......Why would you think engine vibration has anything to do with the transaxle?

[ December 06, 2003, 02:37 AM: Message edited by: 94MaxGXE ]

 

[Technarch]

Titanium_Alloy: about 75,000 KM. changed ATF twice actually, neither time intentionally. first time was when I wanted a bit smoother shifting, so the tech poured in mercon w/ friction modifier so i went bananas because the manual says use of anything other than mercon v voids the warrantry and it was virtually new. got it flushed out @ stealership's expense. then a couple months later (can't remember how long, possibly 6 to 12 months) the cooler lines (i think) disconnected while I was driving and spewed all over. so whatever they did at the next dealership involved them taking the transmission off the car, and then refilling it.
i have used a bottle of STP once or twice a long time ago, partly because i've heard those can be rough on the fuel systems.
change engine oil every 5000 km with 100% synthetic.
have a k&n air filter in there since 2000 no issues, never cleaned it either. replaced sparkplugs with NGK's in 2000 but will be removing them once I can afford a torque wrench and thread chaser tool.

94MaxGXE: why i think that is because the vibrating doesn't happen when i'm in neutral or park.. only drive at a stop.. though sometimes it's smoother than others. it's kinda weird really. some days the steering wheel will vibrate like the air conditioner is running, but it's winter, other days i will feel the vibration under my seat, and other days it's all of the above.

i know i could use a pan drop, filter change and some nice new 100% synthetic fluid poured in there, but right now that's $$$ i don't want to spend because my brakes are wearing.. in october they were down to 45% front and 35% rear, so that means i will have to replace them again in 2004.

i wonder if it's a transmission mount/engine mount issue.

i have had a lot of problems with this car on and off.. nothing really bad, but always something annoying.

 

[Chris142]

Your on the right track with the mount idea.

 

[Titanium_Alloy]

I don't think that's anything serious.

Most likely it’s the problem with dirty injectors. Just try running a Techron or Redline SI-1(I personally prefer Redline because it's cheaper and seems to work well) for a couple of gas tanks and see if problem goes away. Replace your fuel filter if you have never done so.

Check transmission fluid level with engine off and on at operating temperature. With engine on, level should be lower compared to idling engine, but never lower below full mark. I recommend asking dealer for the right ATF level check procedure or look in your manual. NEVER overfill the transmission, maybe .25-.5 liters are OK, but more would be a problem.

Check the spark plugs, but I don't think they would be bad, since there is no indication of the problem when the car is moving. You might want to change spark plug wires, but at 75k miles I don’t think it’s necessary.

Or wait... Like air conditioning is running?
On my 02 Pontiac Grand AM, when you direct hot/cold air onto the windshield to get rid of condensate it automatically turns the AC on, whenever you want to or not. This always works like a charm - few seconds and the mist is gone. See the manual if your car does the same.


Regards,

 

[97tbird]

I have a similar, almost exact vibe on T-bird (97)
Does your car have fluid-filled engine mounts?
(mine does; they're good when new, but then they dry-rot, fluid comes out, and the whole mount sort of collapses with age)

To verify the mount-isuue:
Try this: with engine running, put car in R or D, then press the brake pedal with left foot, and while applying pressure, touch the gas just a little to make the rpm's go higher: does the vibe dissapear? if yes, it's probably one/all motor mounts.
(Actually, this is what happens, when you put it in P and N: no load on engine, rpms higher, and the thing smoothes out.)
Also: you can have someone look under the hood while you're giving it gas while braking; if the motor moves upward/downward(torques in a certain direction) more than an inch or so, it's SURELY the motor mounts.

 

[Technarch]

The Focus definitely uses fluid filled mounts. Thanks for the info you wrote. I will be getting it looked at when I have a chance.

Can you tell me how much labour is a fair price for replacement and whether I want to change all the engine mounts and the transmission mount all at once to make sure everything wears evenly?

I know I have had 1 mount replaced already by a dealer a year or two ago when they were trying to fix what I'm talking about here.

I suppose I could also get the car base idle programmed to be 900 too heh.

 

[digitaldrifter91]

isnt it still under warrenty?

 

[97tbird]

Originally posted by Technarch:
[QB] The Focus definitely uses fluid filled mounts. Thanks for the info you wrote. I will be getting it looked at when I have a chance.

Can you tell me how much labour is a fair price for replacement and whether I want to change all the engine mounts and the transmission mount all at once to make sure everything wears evenly?

I know I have had 1 mount replaced already by a dealer a year or two ago when they were trying to fix what I'm talking about here.
----------------------------
Technarc,

I really have no idea how much it would cost for the motor and transmission mounts on a Focus, as I have a different car; and I also haven't replaced mine yet(the mechanic says they're fair, not totally gone yet, so i might wait a little)
However, you can try searching on the internet for a forum where tech-info for Focuses could be found. I find most of my T-bird info on such a forum.
here's one sight where you can search, although it's US-site, but might still be useful:
www.flatratetech.com
go to "ford owners" and then click on "customer support" link. This site is handled by Ford techs, they might have the answers for you(you have register-free-to post questions, though).
let me know if it works. I'm already registered there, so actually I can copy your post from here, and post it there, too...just let me know if you want me to do that.

the idea of programming to a higher idle seems a little "too much", and it really doesn't solve the rpoblem, does it?-))

you can e-mail me if you like:
[email protected]

 

[titanium10k]

My girlfriend has the escort zx2 model which i think has the same engine and transmission as the focus. Her car when in drive with the air on does the same thing vibrating like crazy. Ford dealer told her it was because the ac compressor is oversized on those cars....