bmackkc

Hello all.

My son owns a 2000 'Stang, 3.8 liter 4-speed auto. It is stock except for Flowmaster exhaust. 140K miles

Yesterday the transmission went into limp-in mode...second gear only. He informed me that for "three weeks or so" (which could translate to "months"), the car has been shifting hard, and at higher RPMs than usual.

Is it reasonable to assume that this transmission is toast? I have located a replacement transmission from a reputable salvage dealer...$250 for a unit with 15K miles.

How difficult is a tranny replacement in this model? Can a decent amateur mechanic with typical tools do this job, or does it require specialized tools? Can somebody tell me what the "book" and actual average hours are for the job?

Thanks

Derf00

Could be as simple as just needing a tranny flush. Hard shifting usually starts as gunk builds up in the tranny. The 2nd gear only is probably due to a clog or the tranny fluid basically being mud now. I wouldn't be looking at a new tranny just yet. Take it to a shop you trust and have them look at it.

__________________
quote:

ORIGINAL: P Zero

He could strap a rocket to his ass and beat em on foot too.
-P.

bmackkc

plenty of tranny fluid...the dipstick has a little ceramic "bullet" on the end of it...the fluid is right where it should be. It does smell pretty bad, not as "cooked" as some I've smelled, though.

I will definitely take to a good mechanic I know for diagnosis before buying a new transmission. I'm just trying to plan for worst-case. Do you know the book and actual average hours for the job?

Derf00

No I don't. Might be something you discuss with your mechanic too. The number of hours of course will depend whichlabor book they are quoting off of.It sounds like you are already aware of that.

__________________
quote:

ORIGINAL: P Zero

He could strap a rocket to his ass and beat em on foot too.
-P.