Tranny dying, last ditch efforts?

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doitmyself

doitmyself

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My adult daughter's '02 Taurus. Vulcan engine. 120K. Only one fluid/filter change at 60K +/-.

My pro mechanic friend pulled a transmission code (don't remember), but indicated it was a real mechanical issue regarding "3rd. ratio, maybe internal seal leak, clutches burnt, etc.).

It is not economically feasible to repair this car. He said best route might be a used transmission installed for about $800 parts/labor. Water pump is also on way out, shocks/struts soon, ........ looking near $2,000 investment on marginal car. I have no time to help much this time.

Do you guys think there is ANY hope that if I did new fluid/filter and tried to add some canned miracle it might keep this thing going another few months?????

Disclaimer......I require no schooling on "canned miracle fluids". This would be akin to cardio resuscitation on a known defective patient. Last ditch effort. Maybe some sawdust in the transmission per Andy Griffith episode????

Thanks a bunch....recommended miracles in a can???????
grin.gif
 
A couple of drain and refills of Maxlife ATF and then add Lubegard Red. But it sounds like you would just delay the inevitable.
 
How bad/good does the transmission shift? Sounds to me like this car is ready for the scrap yard. How much money do you want to spend before it becomes too much?

You could try and change the transmission fluid and see if that improves it. Given the fact that it needs other work, it sounds like it makes more sense to look for a new used vehicle.

Getting a used transmission could be a [censored] shoot as well. If you put the used transmission in and it's bad 6 months from now, then you won't be happy. If the car needed nothing else, then I might chance the new transmission.

Will you be doing all of the other repairs yourself (water pump, shocks, struts)?

Regards, JC.
 
Lubeguard Red and a jug of MaxLife. If it does help wait another 500 miles minimum before doing another drain/fill. No flushes. Let us know how it turns out.
 
If it runs it can be a trade in. If you let it go it will leave your daughter on the side of the road. This also could put her in danger. SO, how much $$ loss will you save/avoid by trading it on a certified used car right now?
 
^^^what they all said^^^

If it truly has a mechanical issue, then it's a goner. A fluid & filter change is small potatoes so if it croaks next week you aren't out a lot of money...and it *may* prolong the inevitable just long enough...but she should be looking for a replacement car right now.
 
The sawdust in the transmission would work with a manual not an automatic.I would imagine Barneys car was a manual,but since the in-car shots were on a cutaway prop car,and Barney didnt shift anything...we would never know.About that overly greased steering shaft that gets limp once it gets in Fife's face....I just have to say LOL...
 
I've read all the stories on here about how old neglected ATs don't like fresh fluid, as the accumulation of material in the old fluid can actually help the clutch packs get traction.

If it' a mechanical problem like that, new fluid and Lubegard might make it worse?
 
If the filter is clogged and the pump is sucking through a (very small) straw, it can't apply proper pressure to the clutches.

Go ahead and do a fluid change. You never know. I prolonged a 4T60 18 months by doing this.
 
Wow, excellent answers already, and many of them mirror my thoughts exactly.

This car was a "cream puff" she bought about 3 years ago with only about 55k miles for about $4,000 (the grandpa owner died).

The estimated $2,000 total repair expenses (used transmission,etc.) are pretty accurate and above what I think is rational regarding value vs. risk. My "personal mechanic" (pro, does at-home work) is extremely trustworthy, competent, and inexpensive) but I only have time for the easy stuff (new plugs, etc.).

I already think the car will only get junkyard value...maybe $300 +/-. We wouldn't do anything unethical regarding a trade or sale.

Bottom line: Car is probably junk yard bound. She is already looking at replacements in the $4 - 6K range under 100K miles. I found another '03 Taurus with 65 K for $4,000. I consider this a "sleeper/cheap" used car that is reasonably o.k. and great value. Car market is pretty bad here also.

Just tinkering with ideas. Thanks a bunch. THE BITOG IN ME IS TUGGING TO TRY A FLUID RESUSCITATION BEYOND COMMON SENSE.
lol.gif
. The Malife/LubeGard route was my first notion.
drew-dernavich-do-you-know-why-i-pulled-you-over-new-yorker-cartoon.jpg
 
those transmission(ax4n?) have issues with low line pressure.
I forget the exact cause. A leaking something.

this makes it not apply with full pressure and eventually stuff burns up. If grandma driven they still last a long time.

someone with a lead foot not so much

not saying your daughter did anything wrong.
but if typical "daughter type" driving may have
made the problem terminal faster.

usually the vulcan engine ones last longer than the duratech due to the ~~50-60 less HP.

not much you can do to it now. Has mechanical damage. The vulcan is an extremely reliable engine.
if the rest of the car is in good shape. another 1500$ infusion could last years. probably cheaper than getting a different car that has unknown problems.
 
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Just FYI the junkyard might be unethical and will resell this thing if it looks nice enough. You might want to throw some stuff through the windshield, spray paint graffitti all over it, etc before they haul it off.

I literally had it happen to me, saw my old truck on craigslist.
 
Originally Posted By: doitmyself
This car was a "cream puff" she bought about 3 years ago with only about 55k miles for about $4,000 (the grandpa owner died).

I found another '03 Taurus with 65 K for $4,000. I consider this a "sleeper/cheap" used car that is reasonably o.k. and great value.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
 
This transmission has other problems in design: plugged vent that pushes ATF out of the filler tube, pistons made out of aluminum that cracks (may be already fixed in 02). Another used one may have the same issue.

Since you are in Michigan, an 02 car is probably already rusting. I'd say just replace the car instead of trying to save it. BTW, water pump job is about $500 on this thing, and radiator job is not cheap either, the heater core is not cheap either.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Just FYI the junkyard might be unethical and will resell this thing if it looks nice enough. You might want to throw some stuff through the windshield, spray paint graffitti all over it, etc before they haul it off.

I literally had it happen to me, saw my old truck on craigslist.


Brick the gas pedal and let er R.I.P
 
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
This transmission has other problems in design: plugged vent that pushes ATF out of the filler tube, pistons made out of aluminum that cracks (may be already fixed in 02). Another used one may have the same issue.

Since you are in Michigan, an 02 car is probably already rusting. I'd say just replace the car instead of trying to save it. BTW, water pump job is about $500 on this thing, and radiator job is not cheap either, the heater core is not cheap either.



The aluminum pistons were gone way before 2002.

How does it shift? It's not uncommon for the VSS to fail and cause random codes that make it look like the trans is bad.
 
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