why buy taurus=

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-Rod

let us know if you have luck installing the drain plug.
I won't be adding this or the trans cooler until this spring, but I'm sure it will be easy to do when I do it. I will also be adding more magnets. I've researched it and it looks like you simply drill a 1/2" hole and then install the new drain plug. Will take less than 5 minutes and most of that will be in finding the best spot to install it (make sure the spot if completely flat). For those that don't wish to add a drain plug, you can go to Home Depot and get a concrete mixing pan (plastic) for $10. They are very big and perfect for avoiding messy trans fluid changing. Here's a few drain plug kits if your local auto parts store doesn't carry them:

Kit One (http://www.sfxperformance.com/parts/SPT5449.htm)

Kit Two (http://martelbrothers.com/product.php?productid=14571)

Kit Three (http://www.superior-transmission.com/products/problem_solvers/k032_cnts.htm)

I bought my 2002 Taurus at the end of 2002, used. It was an SES with Vulcan engine and had 18k miles on it. It has a leather interior and a spoiler. I paid $12k and that included Fords 6 yr/75k extended warranty with $50 ded. It is probably the best overall value I've gotten on a car. I love my Taurus. It runs great, it's reasonably economical, it comfortably seats 5 and seats 6 in a pinch. It's been very reliable and a nice comfortable car to own. I tend to have Ford perform the service. It costs a little more, but I have a very good relationship with the service manager and techs and they have helped me out on a number of occasions because I am a regular customer.

The fact that Taurus/Sable drop like a rock in value makes them such a great buy.I think 2001 and up have been significantly more reliable than earlier models.

I won't be adding this or the trans cooler until this spring, but I'm sure it will be easy to do when I do it. I will also be adding more magnets. I've researched it and it looks like you simply drill a 1/2" hole and then install the new drain plug. Will take less than 5 minutes and most of that will be in finding the best spot to install it (make sure the spot if completely flat). For those that don't wish to add a drain plug, you can go to Home Depot and get a concrete mixing pan (plastic) for $10. They are very big and perfect for avoiding messy trans fluid changing. Here's a few drain plug kits if your local auto parts store doesn't carry them:

Kit One (http://www.sfxperformance.com/parts/SPT5449.htm)

Kit Two (http://martelbrothers.com/product.php?productid=14571)

Kit Three (http://www.superior-transmission.com/products/problem_solvers/k032_cnts.htm)


They all pretty much look the same.

Probably all made by the same 7 year old chinese girl

Mike
:smokin:

When I do it I'm going to replace one of the bolts with a thinner one, so that more fluid comes out :)

What happens if I siphon out five qts from the pan and don't add it back then crank up and let it idle for a minute? Will it ruin the tranny or pump five qts out of the torque converter into the pan? Just looking for a way to get more ATF out without dropping the pan.

Or, what if you drop the pan then crank up and let it idle. Will it pump ATF out of the torque converter? Heck, I'm not real sure Tauri have torque converters, but you catch my drift.

I think it has to be in neutral, but that could just be Chrysler trannys. In any case if it runs dry for more than a few seconds damage will occur. If you have a boat you can use a boat syphon which will remove almost all of the fluid in one shot.

"If you have a boat you can use a boat syphon which will remove almost all of the fluid in one shot." Roger that, someone said they bought a cheap pump at WalMart and it works great. I saw one that goes in a drill and I bet it'll pump it dry in no time.

Huney1, yeah, your Taurus will have a torque converter. Unfortunately, I'm not sure without flushing the system, you'll be able to get fluid out of the torque converter. You method of partial drain, partial fresh fluid, then repeat the process after a few miles sounds like a good method for the DIY'er.

If someone knows of a way to conveniently drain the torque converter, please let us in on your secret.

-Rod

someone said they bought a cheap pump at WalMart and it works great.
I think that might have been me, only it didn't work so great. Auto parts stores sell one for around 8 bucks made for this. A lot of people with Corvettes use the ones for boats, so I'm guessing they must work pretty good. The best way is probably to do it at the tranny cooler though, as shown below. By the time you add it all up it's probably less expensive that way too :)

As far as flushing the torque converter, this (http://bestsyntheticoil.com/dealers/amsoil/torqueconverter.shtml) is the way that I've always heard it should be done.

No the Sables had the Duratech too. For the Taurus I think only the SES and SEL models got that engine, but I'm 100% about that. I've just never seen a SE with that engine, but once you drive one you will never turn back :p
i have a 1999 ford taurus se and it has the duratec engine in it! its a nice engine and i havent had any problems out of it yet except the service engine soon light and then when i went to get it checked out the dealership poked a hole in my lower radiator hose!

"when i went to get it checked out the dealership poked a hole in my lower radiator hose!" :slap:
Can you say, "el-stupido"? Looks like you get a new hose free. I'm still trying to figure out how diagnosing a CEL could result in poking a hole in a radiator hose. I mean, . . . like, it ain't real easy to poke a hole in a radiator hose unless you do it with an ice pick.

Especially since the diagnostic connector in the 1999 Taurus is in the cabin, under the dash. No need to open the hood, unless they were verifying it wasn't just an unplugged sensor or something. Maybe their belt buckle caught it when they were inspecting the DPFE sensor. :)

-Rod

"when i went to get it checked out the dealership poked a hole in my lower radiator hose!" :slap:
Can you say, "el-stupido"? Looks like you get a new hose free. I'm still trying to figure out how diagnosing a CEL could result in poking a hole in a radiator hose. I mean, . . . like, it ain't real easy to poke a hole in a radiator hose unless you do it with an ice pick.

they didnt replace the hose for free.

Especially since the diagnostic connector in the 1999 Taurus is in the cabin, under the dash. No need to open the hood, unless they were verifying it wasn't just an unplugged sensor or something. Maybe their belt buckle caught it when they were inspecting the DPFE sensor. :)

-Rod

yeah that probably was it! but its all good thought.
thanks for the replys guys

"For less than 100.00 you can have a NEW filter/gasket and Mobil 1 Mercon V. With this in mind I think my tranny would prefer if I did it instead of the dealer." I think you have something there old friend. Only problem I have is spending to much time on my back because I have a bad back and it makes me swimmy headed when I get up. Then too, I'm 66 so the old Stud Hoss ain't what he use to be. :rolleyes:

I had the good fortune to bump into a friend who is a mechanic/technician that use to work for the Chevy dealer, factory trained and all that jazz. Said he got tired of the dealership hoolpa and went off on his own and has a van decked out with tools and equipment he needs to do on the scene auto repairs. My power steering pump is whining like crazy so I got a rebuilt from Auto Zone and he's going to put it on Saturday. Said buy him a six pack and fix him sandwich and he'll do it for $50.00 labor. :thumbsup: Yup, that'll definitely work! While I have him captured I'll ask him about changing my ATF & new filter. I'll grab 6 qts of Mobil full syn ATF and with only 46.8K miles on it that should last me to the 75K mark anyway then I'll siphon or pump the pan dry and replace with Mobil full syn again. Maybe it's just me, but I do declare, the tranny shifts so slick and smooth it's awesome and that Vulcan is one sweet running honey of an engine.

Put a new set of Kuhmo tires on it 'bout two months ago and I'm very happy with them because if I didn't know better I'd think I was riding on Michelins. Raining and I found a deserted corner in WalMart parking lot and stomped the brakes and almost threw me through the wind screen. I can tell you since I took the Bridgestones off it is an entirely different driving and riding vehicle and why Ford put those on at the factory is beyond me.

Oh, by the way, . .. someone replied they thought you were clever and smart and I do to, and we all know you have a wealth of knowledge which you are always so willing to share is a tremendous asset to the fourm and always a pleasure having you reply and chit chat. My :2cents: . . . . :)