Transmission CLUNK

[TOWN2TOWN CAR]

My problem is{like the last guy} when I put my taurus in to drive in the morning{or when cold}it lunges forward pretty painfully.Well, I know that the fluid is kinda burnt up and I should change it and in doing so, should take care of it but i'm board and I felt like seeing if anybody else has had this problem before and if changing the tranny fluid will do a 180 for the transmission. and also,since it has been doing this,does this mean that I aleady have messed up the the the tranny alittle?

[Millermagic]

Since it does it only when cold, it might be you're not letting the car idle down. I know if I start mine up and put it right in drive, it'll take off.

[TOWN2TOWN CAR]

Originally Posted by Millermagic

Since it does it only when cold, it might be you're not letting the car idle down. I know if I start mine up and put it right in drive, it'll take off.

most of the time I let it idle for about 30 seconds and even then it will ide at 1900rpms and while in drive, idleing down the street,it will get up to 20mph.I wonder if your fluid needs a change because I know that no car should have that characteristic.This clunk is pretty bad and everytime this happens,it feels like it should be doing damage. I'll just get a flush and see if this does anything.

[Huney1]

http://www.lucasoil.com/testimonials/index.sd?catid=15
I'm impressed with this because people have used it here and from what I see it works. Have the fluid changed or flushed and use Mercon V because it's part synthetic and better that older Mercon. It's more expensive, but definitely worth it. Have them put the Lucas in as they refill the tranny then drive it a few days and give it time to work then see what happens.

[TOWN2TOWN CAR]

Originally Posted by Huney1

http://www.lucasoil.com/testimonials/index.sd?catid=15
I'm impressed with this because people have used it here and from what I see it works. Have the fluid changed or flushed and use Mercon V because it's part synthetic and better that older Mercon. It's more expensive, but definitely worth it. Have them put the Lucas in as they refill the tranny then drive it a few days and give it time to work then see what happens.

I think ill try that,I know these tauruses have quite alot of problems with there transmissions so whatever I can do to make it last any longer, I will comply.

[Huney1]

"Well, I know that the fluid is kinda burnt up and I should change it and in doing so, should take care of it . . ." Truer words were never spoken and I fail to see the logic in waiting until a maintenance component fails before it gets the maintenance it deserves. Like the man said, "You can pay me a little now or a lot later." ". . . . these tauruses have quite alot of problems with there transmissions so whatever I can do to make it last any longer, I will comply."
Better late than never . . . . IMO, the reason folks have tranny problems is because they do not follow Fords recommended maintenance schedule and have the fluid changed or flushed and filter cleaner or replaced every 30K miles. Let's do the math. Say a flush is $100. and a basic tranny rebuild $1,500. In 120K mi you spend $300. for prescribed maintenance or $1,500. for a rebuild. Don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure that one out. Make sure they use Mercon V fluid.

Also see problems with plugged heater cores but I suspect that is due to cooling system neglect which is the most overlooked maintenance on vehicles. I don't buy into 100K mi and I drain and flush mine and put in new antifreeze every three years. Takes about an hour and well worth time and money spent.

[Psychopete]

Originally Posted by Huney1

"Well, I know that the fluid is kinda burnt up and I should change it and in doing so, should take care of it . . ." Truer words were never spoken and I fail to see the logic in waiting until a maintenance component fails before it gets the maintenance it deserves. Like the man said, "You can pay me a little now or a lot later." ". . . . these tauruses have quite alot of problems with there transmissions so whatever I can do to make it last any longer, I will comply."
Better late than never . . . . IMO, the reason folks have tranny problems is because they do not follow Fords recommended maintenance schedule and have the fluid changed or flushed and filter cleaner or replaced every 30K miles. Let's do the math. Say a flush is $100. and a basic tranny rebuild $1,500. In 120K mi you spend $300. for prescribed maintenance or $1,500. for a rebuild. Don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure that one out. Make sure they use Mercon V fluid.

Also see problems with plugged heater cores but I suspect that is due to cooling system neglect which is the most overlooked maintenance on vehicles. I don't buy into 100K mi and I drain and flush mine and put in new antifreeze every three years. Takes about an hour and well worth time and money spent.

I think that's extreme. Cars are made to take abuse, they're made to run and be dependable. I understand that they're simply machines, but it's funny that a lot of cars will not have problems following maintance schedules as gospel.

Like my friend's Chevy Vandura, the oil was mucky, transmission fluid was brown, it ran like a champ, and still does after the oil was changed and transmission was simply changed from the pan. Same with a Chevy 262 I had, the prior owner ran 20-50, and I beat the crap out of that car. It had an abused TH350 that slipped when it was cold. I dropped a BUILT 327 in, replaced w/ a new stall converter and have been driving it almost daily since without issues. I think I've only had to replace an alternator, IAC, and brakes on my '88 Ranger in the past 2 years.

Even the A4LD in my Ranger that's notorious for failure still works after 5 years of not maintaining it. Not to mention I had installed an extreme cam, MAF conversion, etc. I was expecting it to die so I could swap in a T5...

Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that you SHOULDN'T maintain your vehicle, it's just the simple point that particularly Taurus' need to have constant care much like a baby. My point is, why pay the $300 or $1500 when a quick flush will suffice every 40K or so? That's on top of oil changes, new wires, plugs, brakes, etc... There's people that don't maintain their transmissions AT ALL.

It's been 3 years since I've put brand new coolant in my Ranger. Why am I not going flush it anytime soon? Because the fluid still looks brand new. Granted I rebuilt the engine w/ new heads, radiator, hoses, water pump though. Still the same old heater core though. If it were running a little hot, I might consider it, but I'll spend my money on other more important things, like rent and bills..

You shouldn't be "slave" to your car, your car should be a "slave" to you.

Pete

[TOWN2TOWN CAR]

Some cars CAN last forever even with minimal maintenance and previous hot rodding.But,there are those ones that seem to be a dud right from the beginning even with religious maintenance.
for exampal,my brother has a 98' Saturn SL2 with 183k and still runs like a champ,he dogs that thing like he stole it and it just won't give up.He has had this car since about 150k and hasen't had one problem with it.
But then theres cars like my grandma's Equinox that has been in the shop 12 time in the past year and a half.
so just goes to show that it's always a gamble when buying any car.Well the only thing you can do is some research,check backround of the vehicle,do a good test drive,and make sure your having a lucky day.

[Huney1]

I totally agree there are lemons and some better than others. I did my hot rodding many years ago when I was a young whipper-snapper. But I'm in my Golden Years senior citizens club and now I run on laid-back cruise control and enjoy the view. Well, as we go thrugh life all we can do is gather the info then think about it and make our decision about how we maintain and treat our vehicles. We have to be nice to ours because we want them to last a long time and this one might be the last one I buy before I take the long dirt nap. I know, it's morbid, but it is a fact of life and one day you will also take the dirt nap.

So live it up, enjoy yourself, be kind to everyone, save money for retirement, wear cheap sunglases and let the good times roll and don't forget to Boogie a little every day. If you can't find someone to Boogie with then Boogie alone 'cause Boogie is good for your mind and Soul. Yeah Baby, Git' On Down!

[Huney1]

"Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that you SHOULDN'T maintain your vehicle, it's just the simple point that particularly Taurus' need to have constant care much like a baby. My point is, why pay the $300 or $1500 when a quick flush will suffice every 40K or so?" You took what I said out of context. If you get a $100. flush every 30K mi then at 120K mi you would have flushed it three times and spent $300. OK, you do not flush or change the fluid and at 120K mi the tranny dies and you have to do a rebuild it would have been much cheaper to do the flushes. The Ford dealer here charges $100. for a flush, so that's what I'm basing my figures on.

"My point is, why pay the $300 or $1500 when a quick flush will suffice every 40K or so?" I have no problem with that but, given the longer warranties on todays cars, it would be wise to follow the maintenance schedule so if you have problems the dealer can't cop out and say you didn't maintain it properly. Tranny shops will drop the pan and change the 6 qts in the pan and clean or replace the filter for $60. so cheaper way to go, but it doesn't get out all of the old fluid. More than one way to skin a rabbit and we have to decide whats best for us.

I will be the first to admit, I am a preventative maintenance freak because I flew and an engine or component than craps out because of poor maintenance will surely ruin your day. Matter of fact, I'm so particular I keep a log book for our cars and lawn mower, air filter, oil changes and last time I sharpened or changed the blades and belts. Say what?

"Taurus' need to have constant care much like a baby." I reckon you lost me there because all they ask for is regular maintenance and to be driven in a sensible manner. Really, for many years CocaCola and other BIG corporations and rental companies used them for fleet cars and if they were *that* problematic I seriously doubt they would hang with them as long as they did. I don't abuse mine but I don't baby it either. I had the starter rebuilt, new power steering pump but I can't blame that on Ford becasue they were probably made in a sweat shop in Thailand. I don't believe you can hold replacing expendable engine accessories on the people who made the vehicle no more than I can blame Ford because the serpentine belt needs replacing at 60K miles or Kuhmo if my tires wear out at 70K miles. LOL! I just remembered the Lil' Rascals where Spamky said, " I wish Cotton was a Monkey." I wish vehicles lasted forever and nothing ever broke and they didn't use oil or gas or use tires. Heck, I wish I didn't have to wash it or vacuum it out. And I wish I didn't have to pay insurance and property tax on it. But, like the man said, "You wann'a dance you got'ta pay the fiddler . . ."
"If you don't have wheels you'll wear out yo' heels."