michael2k5

Hi all,

I have a 96 Mustang 4.6L bought used. The transmission, I don't believe, has ever had the fluid change, and although it still shifts very well, I get a funny smell every now and then.

I heard that changing the fluid at this stage would do more harm than good due to the sludge and sh*t in there is what keeping the clutch plates apart.

Is this accurate information? Is there any way to save this, rather than having it go out on me and having to replace?

Thanks all!

Michael

jdaniel

Well is it an auto or manual?

michael2k5

Apologies, it is an Automatic....

jdaniel

Does it slip or vibrate or make any other noises?

Your best bet is to take it in and have it rebuilt and in the process they will clean it up for you. It would be less to have it rebuilt then to buy a new one or totally wear this one out. Shouldnt cost more than $1200 but thats here where I live and thats for a brand new torque convertor.

michael2k5

It doesn't really slip or vibrate that I can feel...

I was hoping to avoid an expense like that, but if I truly am going to do more harm than good changing it and letting it wear itself out, I'll have to I guess....

Appreciate the follow up...


Michael

DIVER8374

Hey michael, What I would do it but a shift kit for it and have that installed, because when they install it they pull the valve body and replace all the the guts with the new ones from the shift kit. And then add a trans cooler and put a syenthic trans fluid in it, and if you can afford it get a stall convertor and have them put that in also. They will have to drop the trans for the stall converter, but do not need to to install the shift kit. Plus with the shift kit the car will shift better and harder, and this is good for the trans because there is less slippage. I paid $135 for my shift kit, $65 for the trans cooler, and had a shop install both and that price was $450. So for a little over $600 buck you can save your trans and make it better that stock. Hope this gives you some ideas what to do. Good luck

97STANG

well, the shift kit will not replace the clutches and guts. All it does is reconfigure the valve body. Thats why you can do it with trans in the car. Like you already know, high mileage autos DONT like the fluid replaced because of the clutch issue.

How many miles are on it?

A good idea would be to check the trans fluid level. Let it get nice and warm. Like a 45 min. trip, the trans temp should be around 180/195 depending on where you live, and while its running, make sure it is on "full hot" on the dipstick.

PonyRider98

my auto trans slips every now and then, but when it changes gears, it bogs down sometimes like going from 3000 RPM and sluggishly falls to about 2000 after a shift and sits at 2000. Should I take my car to a tranny shop ? I think the fluid has been changed once in the 115,000 miles it has been driven, since I am the second owner, I dont know if its been changed more than once. What do you guys think ?