Car Talk

Hi Bren,I have a 2001 Taurus and serveral mechanics have told me to be very dilligent in servicing the transmission every 30k. I hope it's nothing more than low transmission fluid in your case!

we'll look at the fluid tonight and see what it looks like. then we'll go from there.i'm really bringing people out of the woodwork for this.

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i'm not going to capitalize my posts, get better eyes.

Don't just check the level, smell it and look at the color, if it's overly dark or smells 'burnt' you may wish to let us know, pretty indicative of transmission death.

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"Debate is an art form. It is about the winning of arguments. It is not about the discovery of truth. There are certain rules and procedures to debate that really have nothing to do with establishing fact ” which creationists have mastered. Some of those rules are: never say anything positive about your own position because it can be attacked, but chip away at what appear to be the weaknesses in your opponent's position. They are good at that. I don't think I could beat the creationists at debate. I can tie them. But in courtrooms they are terrible, because in courtrooms you cannot give speeches. In a courtroom you have to answer direct questions about the positive status of your belief. We destroyed them in Arkansas. On the second day of the two-week trial we had our victory party!"
-Stephen Jay Gould

i'm aware, but thanks.i'm not completely car stupid. i just don't get moving parts and electricity. i'm not an engineer at all.

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i'm not going to capitalize my posts, get better eyes.

Sounds like your transmission overheated causing problems internally within the automatic transmission.Just checking the fluid might not answer if it overheated due to a partially plugged automatic transmission filter. That too me is likely the cause if you change the transmission filter does it have metal filings?I'd first have the transmission filter and fluid changed but have them add not one but two quarts of lucas additive then whatever particular type transmission fluid the tarus requires(it should be labeled on the transmission dipstick).If you check the level likely it will likely say to check with the car running in park, etc...Some transmission shops don't like lucas because it tends to swell the seals and uses other additives however its believed by others that its the polymer that tends to swell the seals in lucas that coats the bands with polymer that restores drivability when the bands themselves are the root cause of the slipping.Personally had one car that upon overheating (fluid looked good) (previous owner changed the fluid but not the filter) shortly thereafter upon purchase the car would not move.I changed the filter and it was full of metal fillings. I instead added two quarts of lucas transmission additive and the car has since added 34,000 miles. At this last 30,000 miles changed the filter and transmission fluids but only added 1 quart of lucas and its still running fine. A different car I tried it on didn't help thus too me it all depends what likely is happening within the transmission.When the filter plugs it prevents fluid to cool the transmission which is why your suppose to change the fluid and filter every 30,000 miles.If you decide to have the filter and fluid changed have the transmission shop check for metal fillings.http://www.eliteone.com/lucas/trans.htmGood possiblity 1-2 shift solenoids bad ?A. A harsh shift in one gear indicates an internal transmission problem or a problem with a shift solenoid. But since the transmission was replaced, I would assume that it came with new shift solenoids. If it was just rebuilt, then it is still possible you have a bad 1-2 shift solenoid.Also, be sure they used the correct Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). Starting in 1998, all Taurus and Sable vehicles require Mercon(R) V transmission fluid. 1998 Windstar vehicles built before 9/9/1997 require Mercon(R), Windstar vehicles built on 9/9/1997 and beyond use the Mercon(R) V transmission fluid.Diagnosing GM Converter Lock-Up ProblemsEdited by reversespin, : to add: possible bad 1-2 shift solenoid

You own a Ford... That's your problem right there Yes, I think your diagnosis sounds accurate, given the not catching and sudden, jerking or lurching forward when it finally does catch (not that I am a greasemonkey by any stretch). Yeah, I don't either, since spark plugs help turn the car on, not help the engine change gears. But, if you have 130k on it and you suspect that its never been changed since it rolled out of the factory, its probably a good idea to get them switched out. Its relatively cheap.Can't say the same for the tranny though. That is a nightmarishly, hellish undertaking and it costs a lot. I once changed out a tranny to try and save money, but I payed for it in time. Consequently, it was on a Taurus that I too once owned. Go figure.Got any grease monkey friends who can help you out?

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"It is better to shun the bait, than struggle in the snare." -Ravi Zacharias

i'm unconvinced. my mom's aerostar ran for 15 years. and my dad's ranger ran for more until my brother totaled it. apparently they manage how much gas is actually successfully burned too, so it won't help the transmission, but it might help my mileage. don't remind me. the boy is currently checking fluids and changing plugs. he's not a mech, but he can do most basic stuff. at least he says he can.

btw. we changed the spark plugs. they were charred. the gap was too wide on them.also, we checked the fluid. it was too high with the engine not running (which the books said to do) and too low with the engine running (which the stick said to do). but, more importantly, it was gross, so i'm gonna take it to get changed.

don't forget to change the filter and to have them look for metal bits (from parts disintegrating)

yeps.

Make a donation to Kidney Cars and buy yourself a MINI.MINI's are awesome.

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I mean, this is America. Everybody loves seeing lesbians go at it, as long as they are both hot and not in a monogamous, legally sanctioned relationship.

would you like to give me the money for this?

I'm still paying for mine.

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I mean, this is America. Everybody loves seeing lesbians go at it, as long as they are both hot and not in a monogamous, legally sanctioned relationship.

then i suggest you keep your expenditure suggestions to yourself since not all of us can rush out and buy big fancy things like cars. if i'm seething at the cost of a transmission, then what do you think a $20k plus new car with all the raised insurance would do to me?

I replaced my dad's transmission not too long ago. All I gotta say is these things are over priced...

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Disclaimer:

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Occasionally, owing to the deficiency of the English language, I have used he/him/his meaning he or she/him or her/his or her in order to avoid awkwardness of style.

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He, him, and his are not intended as exclusively masculine pronouns. They may refer to either sex or to both sexes!