Couple of questions. Please help.
 

Randy, I know this isn't really a parts-related question, but I thought you would be the go-to guy on this particular subject with your vast knowledge of these cars..

I've been having alot of trouble getting the car to go into gear lately, especially 1st and 2nd (usually while gearing down.)

Would this most likely be caused by low, or dirty fluid?

I have to be honest.. I don't know if the fluid has ever been changed, or even checked.. :shakeno:

I did search the forum first for tech tips, but didn't really come up with much of anything.. How do I check the fluid? How do I change it? What fluid should I use? Royal Purple?

My car is a '98 V6 and the Trans. # on the door panel is TR - 5.


Next question...

I've been thinking about using seafoam, the car has roughly 145,xxx miles, just had an oil analysis done (via amsoil, I only use amsoil synthetic) and everything checked out great. With that info, do you think I would have any issues doing this? I would most likely just run it through the Vac. line and the fuel, not in the oil.

Do you have any experience with this product? Would you recommend it?

The reason behind the questions is I have just recently begun to feel a little bit of hesitation, and I want to try a couple of things to put a little bit of pep back in the 'ol stangs step.

Thank-you for your time, I greatly appreciate it.

-Evan

well first off Im not a big fan of seafoam, your hesitation could be from worn-out O2's or othe emmission related parts or something a good tune-up would cure, seafoam is just a "band-aid" approach to fixing the real problem.

now the tranny problem could be low on fluid, so I'd change it as it's pretty easy to-do or it could be a sign that the clutch is going south and worse case, the trans is in need of a re-build

Well, hmm.. I just did a tune-up at the end of last summer. New plugs, wires, all four O2's, and have barely put any mileage on the car since then.

Seafoam: Really? With all of the good reviews (and yes I know there are some bad) it's just so hard to tell.. Is there any particular reason why you don't like it? -Just curious.

Is there any particular Trans. fluid you recommend for the TR - 5? Or weight?

Thanks again for all of your help! :boink:

I have been running Lucas Semi-Synthetic ATF in my TR-3650 since about 2,000 miles and NO problems whatsoever.

when you did the tune-up, did you buy Ford O2's or aftermarket? also mileage has nothing to-do wth it as a car can de-grade quickly from sitting then from being driven all the time

seafoam, well Im just not a fan of "snake oils" or things of that nature.

as far as the trans fluid, no sense in spending alot on synthetics at this point so I'd go wth @3 qts of regular old Mercon III att

I believe that they were Bosch, Im about 90% sure that they weren't Motorcraft. All I know is that the bastards were freakin' expensive, and I have had no check engine lights or tripped codes.

I've actually been doing some research and some folks actually feel that synthetic trans. fluid isn't always the best for the synchros so im prob just going to go with some 75w90 or 95.

What is the best way to drain the trans. fluid? Does it just have a lower drain plug and a higher fill plug? Or would I have to suction the old fluid out? Im sorry for all of the questions, I am just lost when it comes to transmissions.

BTW: The Clutch was replaced no more then 5-6,000mi ago with a Spec III, Steeda Quadrent, and Firewall adjuster.

NO, DO NOT USE anything heavy like 75weight oil in a manual trans, Ford uses regular old ATF/Mercon III

Now on the O2's, Ford's are very sensitive when it comes to electrical componets like sensors and anything aftermarket like IAC, IAT, O2's TPS and other electronic sensors DO NOT work well in Fords and just because you dont get a check engine lite doesn't meen the sensors are reading correctly

Thanks
 

Thank-You For all of your help!

The Trans was about 1 3/4 quarts low on fluid, drained it all and refilled, feels quite a bit better, but I think the synchros might be going. **I used Valvoline ATF Dexron Mercon III high mileage, roughly 3qrts**

Rear end was pretty low too, pulled as much as I could out of the plug and refilled.. What a difference, way less noise and alot smoother.

Changed the oil, and you were right the oil was pretty black, prob from lack of driving. **Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 10w30**

As far as the hesitation, im not sure what it is. Im pretty sure it's just a little bit of power loss due to the high mileage, because everything looked pretty good (no metal shavings anywhere.)

I did go ahead and use some seafoam and had very little smoke, but it did give the car a bit better idle and maybe slightly smoother acceleration.


Just wanted to say Thanks for all of your help Randy, you are an invaluable assett to the site and you helped me alot! :worship2:

YOUR WELCOME!!







J/K

Thanks Mike! Sorry! Im tired dammit! :nunu: