95 escort auto trans ordeal

kanitankiko · #1 07-18-2004, 01:58 PM

First of all, thanks to nditech and jeffescortlx for responding to my post a while back. Great suggestions. The escort problem was the ignition coil (plus a desperate need for a complete tune-up since the car was sitting for about 2 years).

Now, I need to vent a bit, even after a week…

What’s the deal with the automatic transmission fluid pan of the 95 Escorts?

It all starts with the couple of bolts that are strategically concealed under a bar (the manual calls it the crossmember). Extra work but, hey, if it was easy, we wouldn’t have mechanics, right?

Then, when I thought the worse was over… what’s the deal with the pan? You can’t take it out because that bar is on the way. At this point I was getting pretty upset. The book said “jack the transaxle to raise it slightly so the pan will clear the crossmember”. I did. Still didn’t work. Now I was getting pissed. Relax, Relax. Finally, probably by divine intervention, the pan came off.

Ok, the worse is over, I thought. Well, one of the filter’s bolts was also strategically concealed and the story repeats. But during this time I got oil in my face, then my hair, then in my eye and finally in my nose, which left me with a strange taste for the next few days.

At this point I was pretty tired and started wondering how much it would have been to have it done professionally.

Now, how do I put that pan back through that crossmember (that large piece of metal probably put there so we common people cannot change our transmission fluid/filter) with the gasket? I tried and tried and tried and tried, nothing. At this point, I was going to start crying (for the record: I can’t remember last time I cried).

Finally I got the pan in and while trying to align the gasket, I broke the gasket. That was it. I wondered what bus would take me to work the next day.

I was getting ready to give up when I realized that the broken gasket was easier to align. Put the bolts in, went through the same ordeal as when I took them off, and voila, done.

So, it may leak. It’s not leaking yet. When it starts leaking, I’m taking it to a professional. Or I’ll take the bus. It can’t be that bad and I’m sure I can make new friends….

catback23 · #2 07-21-2004, 05:25 PM

Sorry for your ordeal, sounds like it was a tuff one. Have to say one of the skills required to be a mechanic is patience and a whole lot of it. There are tricks to doing stuff like that. From your story I take it you didn't learn any useful ones. But it's fixed now so you won't be doing that again, at least not for a while.

chevyn0va1 · #3 07-21-2004, 06:29 PM

just so you know I went to a national transmission shop (cottman.com) and for like 50.00 they check flush and fill the tranny worth every dime

kanitankiko · #4 07-23-2004, 11:19 AM

Thanks for the tip on Cottman. I just checked and there is one not too far.

catback23: you are right about being patient, plus I need to remember that the job may (will) take double the time expected.

sdsiedentop · #5 05-07-2005, 09:36 PM

I have to agree about the $50.00 for a transmission flush. Somethings are just worth it.

Regarding the crossmember, does anyone know if you can buy just the bushings on the rear part of the crossmember?

OverBoardProject · #6 05-08-2005, 01:11 AM

With most those transmission flushes they don't take the pan off, and they don't change the filter. They just pump out the old oil, possibly fill it with a flush (probably only if your there) run the motor for a few min, then do the same using the proper transmission oil.

It won't fix a leaking gasket, and it doesn't change a pluged filter.

speedog2010 · #7 05-08-2005, 02:41 PM

I am laughing at your whole story. I too had the same difficulties with my 95 automatic LX. stupid set-up for sure. i did not get fluid in my nose. doubt that most quick lube places are going to be able to remove that pan. and for sure, sucking out the old fluid will not clean off the magnets or remove the sludge at the bottom. if you are worried about a slow leak then clean off the area if you can reach it and apply some LTV sealant around the outside of the seam. Ya- it is not the "right" thing to do- but it will probably be fine..... I also broke my gasket and I broke one of the bolts in the removal process. and the bolt was one of the ones that it was impossible to get to for removal and/or rethreading of the hole. that was over a year ago- no leaks at all- None. I did sort of cheat and take a bit of a chance and slightly overtighten the bolts on both sides of where I broke a bolt.
I an not even going to think about it. the worse situation is trying to remove the speedometer gear unit on the manual transmission- I would really like to know what idiot designed that system - some come out easily and some will just not come out without using a lag bolt and a slide hammer- which then ruins the speedo gear unit.

chevyn0va1 · #8 05-08-2005, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OverBoardProject

With most those transmission flushes they don't take the pan off, and they don't change the filter. They just pump out the old oil, possibly fill it with a flush (probably only if your there) run the motor for a few min, then do the same using the proper transmission oil.

It won't fix a leaking gasket, and it doesn't change a pluged filter.

Well the place i went to did it all. That i know because i watched. I can see how you came to your conclusion. But as in anything if you want it done and done right do it yourself.

dlbdata · #9 05-09-2005, 08:03 AM

My own auto trans horror story, and why it's worth it to bring it to a pro for a flush. Tried taking the pan off, 2 bolts snapped right off. They aren't torqued to much but they were apparently corroded enough they just snapped right off. Bought an extractor to try to get the broken bolts out, the extractor snaps off too. So at that point I just re-tightened the bolts I had been able to loosen (fortunately I hadn't broken the seal yet). Brought the car in and had the trans flushed instead, and happy to say no leaks.

OverBoardProject · #10 05-09-2005, 11:24 AM

It sure sounds like Ford should have used Stainless Steel bolts in there.

as awfull as this sounds a slowly sweating pan gasket probably isn't a bad thing. The bolts wouldn't rust then, and ATF fliud is one of the best penetrating oils out there

dlbdata · #11 05-10-2005, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OverBoardProject

It sure sounds like Ford should have used Stainless Steel bolts in there.

as awfull as this sounds a slowly sweating pan gasket probably isn't a bad thing. The bolts wouldn't rust then, and ATF fliud is one of the best penetrating oils out there

haha, yeah I like that. Guess it would be too much to ask for the automakers to use a better quality bolt.

And how about degreasing your engine... it makes it look prettier, but I'd rather leave a coat of grease and oil on there, like you said it keeps things from corroding.

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