Just purchased 2000 SEL

[adopted-bassist]

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum.
I just bought a 2000 SEL and am happy with it except for the following:
From time to time the shift from 1st to 2nd shutters and sometimes the drop-down shift under high excelleration is rough...what is going on here? There is only 80,000km on it. One thing I did notice is the dealer had changed the trans fluid and used Multi ATF and the required fluid is Mercon V. Could this be part (or all) the problem? I changed the PVC and air filter and the van is going in for the plugs (to much of a pain for me to change) and at that time I will request a trans filter/fluid change.
I have already changed the oil to 100% synthetic. I have a 93 Intrepid with the 3.5L that has 395,000km on it with no oil burn - frequent oil changes (6000km) with synthetic and trans fluid (40-50,000km) changes have preserved the life of the drivetrain. So I figure I could get a lot of life from the Windstar following this simple plan.
Cheers!

[rodeo02]

I would get that universal ATF out of there ASAP & use Mercon V. This should solve your problem. Synthetic motor oil is great, but a waste of $$ unless you keep it in there for the longest oil change interval your manual specifies (7500miles?). Keep in mind that the current 5w-20 oils are already partially synthetic, as is Mercon V ATF (thus their more expensive price). IMO- the most important things for 3.8L windstars is keep the cooling systems and ATF clean.
G/luck
Joel

[lewisnc100]

When I got my 2000 SEL I had the same shudder from 1 to 2 especially when accelerating around corners. Turned out my ATF was a little low. Also there is a TSB on this 1 to 2 shudder that requires the ATF level to be at the top of the hash mark on the dip stick rather than just in the middle.

[adopted-bassist]

Originally Posted by lewisnc100

When I got my 2000 SEL I had the same shudder from 1 to 2 especially when accelerating around corners. Turned out my ATF was a little low. Also there is a TSB on this 1 to 2 shudder that requires the ATF level to be at the top of the hash mark on the dip stick rather than just in the middle.

Thanks. I had the pan dropped, cleaned with filter change and then a full fluid exchange all for $201.00cdn. I have noticed a difference already.
It is in today for plugs, idle and tension pullies.

[adopted-bassist]

I thought I would add that I just had the tension and idle pulley as well as the plugs changed by my favorite mechanic (also the most honest). The van drives as it should now. It is too bad the dealer wanted to charge me for a problem that was there when I first picked it up. They thought it was the belt but I thought it sounded more like a bad bearing...of course the customer is always wrong - right?

[DRW1000]

Hi Bassist..........I noticed you were quoting prices in CDN so I checked your profile.....Kanata eh???.

Go Leafs!!!! (Sorry I could not resist. No matter hoe hard I tried.....)

When you said that the dealer put on ATF are you refering to a Ford Dealer? If so I would suggest you go back and thoroughly complain. There is no way they should be putting in a fluid that is not compatible with this vehicle.

[adopted-bassist]

Originally Posted by DRW1000

Hi Bassist..........I noticed you were quoting prices in CDN so I checked your profile.....Kanata eh???.

Go Leafs!!!! (Sorry I could not resist. No matter hoe hard I tried.....)

When you said that the dealer put on ATF are you refering to a Ford Dealer? If so I would suggest you go back and thoroughly complain. There is no way they should be putting in a fluid that is not compatible with this vehicle.

I will explain. I bought from a non Ford dealer but a big new car dealer (not one of those small corner lots) - no names mentioned. I was given the invoice of the work done to the van during the sales transaction but I did not pay close attention to it. When I got home I noticed that the invoice was created in 2003 and 19,000km earlier. On the invoice they had changed the oil and filter which was at 60,00km (there was 79,000km when I bought it) so this was my first flag. I was reassured that they had changed the oil since the first one but there was no paper trail. The next thing I noticed was there was some trans work and several seals changed and a indication of Multi ATF being used but no amount. Since I could not tell or be told on how much was used - whether 1L or 6L (?) I had to be sure. I was having some trans issues like the rough transition from 1st to 2nd. I paid quite a bit for this van so I wanted to make sure all the important matience items are taken care of. Since the full flush the trans has been performing better.