Have been nothing but pleased with my '03 v-8 Sport. Probably the best vehicle I have ever owned. About three weeks ago the transmission started to slip pretty badly. I was able to get it to the dealership, who I have always felt treated me right, and after clearing the codes they said I needed a new tranny. With 247,000 miles I was a little hesitant on whether to spend that money or not. The car has no rust, paint looks good, AC works great, so I told him to let me think about it over the weekend. On the way home it started running better. I figure I've got nothing to lose so I take it to Jiffy Lube and get a flush and fill. It has worked perfectly ever since. I've probably put close to 2000 miles on it since then and it seems to be running just like it did before. Am I driving a time bomb or am I good to go?
Fingers crossed for my tranny
- Thread starter bcolts
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if it works now, then you are good. it could be that your transmission oil is low causing it to slip.
SilverRiver
New member
I had the exact same problem at about 108k miles. My friend and I (okay I mostly watched
) did a full transmission flush using instructions from here. The old ATF looked burnt and toasted. We flushed through about 13 quarts. Then we let it run for about 30 minutes to get the oil up to temperature while we ate dinner and then let the excess drain to the right level. After that I haven't had any problems.
I would recommend replacing all the oil so you don't have to worry about it for another 100K miles. Maybe that is what Jiffy Lube did. I always get confused between "drain and fill" and "flush and fill".
Good luck.
mustangpro
New member
Was the original fluid still in it?
I bought it with 59000 miles on it and had never changed the fluid. When the dealer checked it and cleared the codes he said the fluid didn't look bad and didn't smell burnt. Of course he also said the issue was definitely electronic. I'm hoping it was mechanically gummed up and the flush and fill cleaned/freed it.
Well that is quite a bit of miles for the original fluid. Consider yourself lucky.:rtfm:
BlackWorksInc
New member
Get a print-out of the DTCs next time to hang on to in case you want to dig into it a bit deeper. It could have been as simple as fluid, or something else. Hopefully it will stay good for a while longer.
mustangpro
New member
DTC is "Diagnostic Trouble Code". Basically the codes your "Check Engine" light indicates. In the Ford world we call them MIL, "Malfunction Indicator Light".
You're question is a legit one. Don't be ashamed to ask, we all learn here by asking.:hello:
Undoubtedly it is a time bomb. Nothing lasts forever. In your situation, it is hard to say how long it will go. I wouldn't worry about it. Drive it until it breaks then make your choices. It could be 40 more miles or it could be 400,000 miles.
With 240K your trade in value is pretty much nothing so it isn't like you are putting yourself at risk by driving it until it dies at this point. Rebuilt transmission will probably run you around $1000 + $500 labor. Could be more or could be less, but that is up to you if you want to sink $2k into a vehicle that is probably worth $5k.
With 240K your trade in value is pretty much nothing so it isn't like you are putting yourself at risk by driving it until it dies at this point. Rebuilt transmission will probably run you around $1000 + $500 labor. Could be more or could be less, but that is up to you if you want to sink $2k into a vehicle that is probably worth $5k.
