Transmission

[chrisanthony]

Hi guys

I have a 96 Lx 1.9l

I noticed my transmission fluid is a little dark and smells kind of burnt. I'm not sure when last it was changed before i bought the car. Is there a drain plug for the escort transmissions? if not is there any other easier way of draining it without taking the pan off?

Thanks,

Chris

[jcwit]

Nope, take the pan off. You can drain a very little from the plug that has an Allen Wrench socket on it. My self I dropped the pan and replaced the filter and had an adapter welded to the pan for future drainings without removing the pan.

[chrisanthony]

Originally Posted by jcwit

Nope, take the pan off. You can drain a very little from the plug that has an Allen Wrench socket on it. My self I dropped the pan and replaced the filter and had an adapter welded to the pan for future drainings without removing the pan.

"You can drain a very little from the plug that has an Allen Wrench socket on it"
so a drain plug does exist right?

[mightymoose_22]

You will need to take the pan off anyway to change the filter inside. If you aren't going to change the filter then there isn't much point in changing the fluid.

[chrisanthony]

Originally Posted by mightymoose_22

You will need to take the pan off anyway to change the filter inside. If you aren't going to change the filter then there isn't much point in changing the fluid.

thanks guys..where would one get a transmission filter and gasket?..i couldn't find any at Canadian tire and what is the process of changing the transmission fluid including filter and gasket?

Thanks again

[AzTumbleweed]

Any parts store should be able to get the filter. It comes in a box with new gasket. When you drop the pan you'll see the filter. Shouldn't be any problem to replace it.

[jcwit]

Yes, if you're laying on your back with feet sticking out the front of the car it (plug) is to the left of the pan on the casting.

As far as changing the filter I would do this as you'll have to remove the pan anyway. If you have a plug adapter welded onto the pan I wouldn't bother with it as it usually only catches the larger chuncks anyway. It a far cry from what we normally think of as a filter as in an oil filter.

[mightymoose_22]

Simply drain the fluid, drop the pan, replace the filter, replace the pan, refill.
If there is no drain plug then loosen the pan bolts and let the fluid drain from one corner until the level is low enough to remove the pan without making a mess. The larger your pan to catch the spill the better.
There is probably just a single bolt holding the filter in place. Nothing tricky about replacing it. Clean the surfaces of the pan and the transmission, install the new seal, and replace the pan. Use a criss-cross pattern on the bolts when you tighten them to make sure it goes on even.
Pop the hood and pour in new fluid through a funnel.

It isn't difficult, but it can be messy. You might want to consider just having the service done at a shop where they can hook up a pump to the transmission cooler that will circulate the fluid and drain the old fluid as it pumps in new clean fluid. At the shop that service is probably $60-80 while on your own your own the fluid and gasket will probably cost around $30.

[jcwit]

$60 to $80 WOW--In Calif yet!!!

Here in No. Indiana a tranny flush runs $100 firm.

[denisond3]

And to drop the tranny pan, I find I first have to drop the cross-member out of the way that runs front-to-back under the transmission. This involves having a jack under the bell housing to support things - or you wont be able to muscle the cross-member back up to get the 2 nuts (in back) and 2 bolts (in front) back on. You also have to undo the 4 nuts that connect the cross member to the two motormounts. This wont cause the tranny to drop on you, there are a total of 4 motor mounts on the Escort engine/tranny.
The torque on those trannypan bolts is only about 10 lbs ft or so. Overtightening them will either strip the threads out of the aluminum tranny case, or cause 'dimpling' of the rim of the pan. You can get an idea of how worn your tranny is by seeing how thick is the metallic sludge that is coating the two round magnets in the oil pan.

[jcwit]

Because of all of the above is why I opted for putting on a drain plug. Every 2 to 3 oil changes I do a drain and fill.

[mightymoose_22]

Originally Posted by jcwit

$60 to $80 WOW--In Calif yet!!!

Here in No. Indiana a tranny flush runs $100 firm.

I'm just guessing... it could be more. Might just depend where you go.

[chrisanthony]

Originally Posted by jcwit

$60 to $80 WOW--In Calif yet!!!

Here in No. Indiana a tranny flush runs $100 firm.

here in ontario canada is probably more then 100$ easily..adding in filter replacement labor is even more...

[chrisanthony]

thanks guys for all the suggestions..i'll check it out this weekend

[chrisanthony]

hey guys.

I forgot to ask how much ATF fluid should I pour?