'01 Escape tranny chatter - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

yankee · 10-19-2007, 14:08

Hi Guys,
For the last 20,000 miles (100,000 miles on the odometer) the automatic transmission shudders on the up and down shift from and to OD. I try to anticipate the shift and force the shift and that works, but it ain't right. Ford of course has no clue.

**360ci** · 11-14-2007, 15:02

If you haven't done a transmission service in the last 30K do so. New fluid and filter.

yankee · 11-15-2007, 14:22

Thanks for the reply 360.
I am told, the tranny doesn't have a removable pan to replace the filter and only a small volume of fluid is removed at the drain plug. What do you think?

**360ci** · 11-15-2007, 14:38

Well all transmission pans are removable. Not all pans have drain holes and there fore they have to be unbolted from the transmission. There might be 10 or 20 bolts but it has to be done in order to replace the filter. Generally a fluid change isn't an entire fluid change, since you can't get the fluid out of the torque converter as its a sealed unit. You can however drain whats in the pan through the hole, similar to an engine oil change. The trans will only let out 4 quarts or so of fluid, which is fine. Total capacity in most autos is around 10-12qts.

Keep in mind that the fluid is all new from the factory, and with my Taurus Ford wants a transmission service done (new filter and drain out whatever fluid I can) at 60 000miles. As you can only drain and fill 1/3 the total capacity at any given time it's best to repeat this service every 20-30 000miles for best reliability after the 60K service. For the sake of $80 every couple years it's more than worth while. Each time one of my vehicles gets new plugs (25K) the transmission gets serviced as well. This is especially important if you plan to keep the vehicle several more years.

In the owners manual, there are generally two maintenance schedules. Go by the 'severe' schedule versus the 'regular' schedule. Only go by the 'regular', longer fluid drain interval schedule if you drive 120% on the highway! A few dollars extra a year in maintenance will save you hundreds, if not thousands down the road. It'll also help with resale value providing you keep the records of all services performed. Cheers

yankee · 11-15-2007, 15:15

It was the local Ford dealer that told me the filter couldn't be changed but the small amount of fluid could be changed for a lower than normal price of $50. I had them do the change at 65,000. I also had the engine flushed and new anti-freeze put in for $150. I hate Ford dealers.
Thanks for the heads up.

**360ci** · 11-15-2007, 18:07

It's not necessarily the dealer, its the tech that tells you what can and can't be done. It's a shame there aren't any more mechanics being trained - all technicians. Dealers are generally more thorough in training staff or hiring experienced ppl, vs a corner no name shop that has 20 apprentices spread out between first to third years with one or two fourth years, all with one certified tech running the place. Scary.