Can fluid change really fix my trans problem?

[exdirtbiker]

Nooob here...
new-to-me 2002 Ranger 2.3 4 cyl 2wd auto a/c 107k miles.
was a work truck. no rust !!! sat for a year before we got it last week.

The problem:
takes longer than i want for trans to pop into D or R.
slow shift ( revs, then bangs into gear ) between shifts 4-5, and today started same from 2-3.
fuild was 3" over the high mark.. sucked it down to proper level through the dipstick tube with vacuum bleeder hose. removed 3 qts of very dark fluid... but it doesn't smell all that bad.
makes grinding noise in 2nd.
engine surges a little in all but 1st gear, and it's a pig under 2500 rpm.
was told "change fluid and filter, use qt of Lucas, and you'll be OK".

the Question:
can it realy be that easy? I'm usually not that lucky....
Does the Ford "shift correction kit" apply to my trans ?

Thanks for your help !
Pete

 

[exbass94]

Well, there is no guarantee that it will fix the problem, however you should always change the trans fluid every 30k miles anyway as regular maintenance. So, if it's never been done before, then absolutely change the fluid.

 

[cooljman1]

you could try it but i wouldn't hold my breath. it sounds like something more serous

 

[KYRangerDude]

I read on aa1car.com trans flush, that a high mileage tranny that hasn't been changed regularly should NOT be flushed. They said the new ATF would cause any gum and sludge to loosen and cause a lot of issues. That it was best just to keep the fluid topped off. I have a high mileage tranny that has a "bump" from 1st to 2nd. I just bought the truck and don't know how it was treated prior. It was 1-1/2in overfull when I got it. I drained fluid from the cooler back down to normal. It is dark as motor oil, but I can't smell the burnt odor, but I'm sure the fluid is less than desirable. I was going to do a complete fluid change until I found that bit of info. Now, I don't know what to do.
Any suggestions?

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Sounds like a plugged filter to me. Changing the fluid on anything will not break it unless you use the wrong type of fluid. If someone tells you to leave the old fluid in do not listen to their advise in the future. It already sounds broke but pull the pan if you dont see big chunks of metal small shavings is normal. If it works it`s probably ok but if it dont you needed a tranny anyway. Being that overfull if it still holds oil your lucky always check it hot and in neutral engine running.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Oh yea just use regular atf recommended dont use any additives or you will be changing the tranny soon.

 

[Psychopete]

Some say a trans flush is bad, maybe it's just stirring up stuff and causing particles to be put back into circulation at once, but mostly the transmission was probably on it's last leg to begin with. But I have never had any issues (besides a pan leak) with changing out the filter and topping off what you lost with new fluid. Have you been checking the level with the engine running?

Even had a TH350 that slipped when cold, had a mountain of crap collected on the magnet in the pan. Changed the filter, cleaned the pan, topped w/ fluid and tried Lucas, slipping went away and was fine for a year and a half until I traded the car for a F-150.

Edit:
Actually, I change the filter, clean the pan, re-top off the fluid in every car I ever owned (all used vehicles). It's part of my "tune up procedure" when I buy something that I don't know the history on.

 

[exbass94]

Changing trans fluid does not kill transmissions, NOT changing fluid does.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74839
^^That is my take on changing transmission fluid, regardless of miles.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

And flushing will not do any harm....it is simply using the transmissions own pump to exchange all the fluid in the transmission. Its not like you are forcing a bunch of fluid through it....

 

[acroteau23]

i have a 04 that had the same problem. i changed the fluid and filter and seemed to help a little. when the tranny would downshift or shift into second it would bump. it lasted me about 10,000 miles like that then i had to replace it

 

[exdirtbiker]

Thanks for the help...
I'm leaving for a week and didn't have enough time to do it right, so we sucked all we could out of the dipstick tube and replaced with 1 qt merc V and 1 qt Lucas.
it's definately a little better, or at least I think it won't get worse until I get back.
Told my son to "baby it".
have new filter, transgo kit, and gaskets waiting for me to find the time.
And my neighbor has a lift in his garage !

 

[adsm08]

Here is my take on high mileage trans flushes....

Do it. If the trans does blow up shortly afterward, just because it has "fresh fluid knocking stuff loose" well, it probably was gonna smoke itself up soon anyway.

I flushed my sister's first car at 135K for the first time. It last another year. Nashville water main blew up all over it. Trans is still going strong.

As for your trans, I'd keep a close eye on it. For one, high fluid level can destroy a trans. It allows fluid cavitation and that allow low control pressure, which can smoke up the clutches by not keeping them applied tightly. You had high fluid and dark fluid. Not good.

 

[exdirtbiker]

the plot thickens !!!
we found a qt of "Type F" fluid stuffed behind the seat.
With 20/20 hindsigght, I think the trans was only 1 qt overfilled.
how bad is it if there was a qt of "F" in there?
or just procede with the plan of "filter, transgo kit, new fluid and pray"?

 

[exdirtbiker]

OK, tonight we dropped the trans pan. and.....
not much stuff in there at all. Just lots of very dark juice. no metal shavings.
We are doing the Transgo kit, and magaged to loose 2 of the pins. I mean... we lost their location in the valve body. I have the pins. I have the instructions that tell me where the check balls go, but not the pins. I thought I saw a picture of where they go, in this forum, but now can't find it.
PLEASE HELP !!!!

 

[adsm08]

how bad is it if there was a qt of "F" in there?

Not good. Type F is "slipperier" than Merc or Dex. It will let the clutches slip and burn them up faster. If you drain everything out and fill it up with Merc you should be ok, but continuing to run it with the F will burn your clutches to nothing quick.