Transmission shudder

[Leadfoot281]

Yikes! I hit 36,000 trouble free miles last week. Today I felt a shudder from my transmission. I was pulling away from a stop sign, in drive, and it felt like the tranny didn't know for certain wether or not it was in drive or reverse.

No extended warranty (I reminded the salesman I was buying a Mercury, not a Hyundai). He didn't want to argue that point.:D

No factory warranty.

What do I do now? It hasn't happened since. Anything I should check? Thanks.

[Marauderjack]

Flush fluid first...If that ain't it you will have to go inside?? :confused:

I have a cure for converter shudder but this doesn't sound like the converter. :o

Good Luck!

Marauderjack :cool:

[Bradley G]

Here is to a trans service taking care of it!:beer:

Every 15K, cause she earned it! :burnout:

[RF Overlord]

If your transmission fluid hasn't been changed in 36,000 miles, it's overdue.

Solution 1): At the very least, do a pan-drop and filter change...since that only changes approx 4 quarts of ATF, it may take a few miles of driving to notice any difference. Do another pan-drop (no filter this time) after a few hundred miles, then another one again. After that, get on a regular schedule of pan drops every 15,000 miles, with a new filter every other time. Installing a transmission pan with a built-in drain plug will make the job easier and MUCH less messy.

Solution 2): Do a complete flush...that will change 95% or more of the ATF and the improvement in shifting should be noticeable immediately. Do a complete flush every 30,000.

[SergntMac]

Solution 2): Do a complete flush...that will change 95% or more of the ATF and the improvement in shifting should be noticeable immediately. This is good advice, and change the filter too. Your shudder may be just tired ATF, or, there could be other problems to diagnose. However, you cannot correctly diagnose that without ruling out old fluid. BTW, make sure the new fluid is pyre Mercon V, not another type with additives. Keep us posted?

[RF Overlord]

BTW, make sure the new fluid is pure Mercon V, not another type with additives.^^^what Mac said^^^

[Krytin]

I used the Cam II type V semi synthetic when I changed last. Gone 12k miles and shifting very nice! Also installed a drain plug in the factory pan so the next change will be less of a mess.

[Eric91Z]

BTW, make sure the new fluid is pyre Mercon V, not another type with additives. Keep us posted?


Do most of the F/L/M dealerships use a pure Mercon V? Just curious as I am taking the car in for an oil change, tranny service, and rear diff. service. I already verified that they use either Ford or Castrol synthetic for the oil, but did not ask about the tranny fluid.

[RF Overlord]

Do most of the F/L/M dealerships use a pure Mercon V? A dealer had BETTER know the difference and use only Mercon V, not plain Mercon with some miracle-in-a-can glop.
I already verified that they use either Ford or Castrol synthetic for the oilEric, beware of anyone who claims Castrol is synthetic oil. It is NOT (except for 0W-30 GC- German Castrol). All of their product except GC is Group III mineral oil. Ask the dealer to use only Motorcraft oil in your car, unless you want to bring your own.

[SergntMac]

I used the Cam II type V semi synthetic when I changed last. Gone 12k miles and shifting very nice! Also installed a drain plug in the factory pan so the next change will be less of a mess. I don't know the specs of this substitution, but it's seems fine in your application. Bravo!

Is it cheaper?

Do you have an aftermarket torque converter?

Do you have a tranny retune over OEM specs?

Now that you have a drain plug, you save even more money in maintenence. Just drain the pan every 5-6K miles and refill. Should save you a lot of money over the long run.

[Lou]

[QUOTE=Leadfoot281]Yikes! I hit 36,000 trouble free miles last week. Today I felt a shudder from my transmission. I was pulling away from a stop sign, in drive, and it felt like the tranny didn't know for certain wether or not it was in drive or reverse.


The advise here is good. This isn't just a MM problem but seems to be common with Mercurys. I had a 96 Cougar and had the same problem at 40K.
A trans fluis change fixed it.

[Leadfoot281]

I had the 30k mile service done earlier this year. Fuel filter, oil change, alignment, and trans service. The rest I done myself. Brake inspection? Give me a break! Ditto for air filter. The tires were almost shot so I got new KDWS at 35k.

At any rate, My dealer messed up the fuel filter install. Check engine light came on. They re-set the trouble light and told me it was "possibly air" in the fuel line, and to bring it back if it gave me any more trouble.(it didn't). The 30k "tune-up" took 8 hours!:mad:

I don't have any idea what type of fluid they used. I'm certain they didn't drop the pan. I'll get that done soon.

With all the trouble Ford Automatic's have given me over the years it's a wonder I bought another one. Why doesn't Ford just give up and start installing GM transmissions in their cars? I'd rather have a TH350, TH400, or TH700R4 in my car. Bring back the Top Loader! I'd even prefer an old 727 torqe-flite to the junk were saddled with. Ford even spelled AOD backwards!

Sorry 'bout the rant..... And thanks for the advice. I will keep you posted.

[Merc-O-matic]

New tranny fluid should solve your problem.....
they probably gave you only a partial flush at your last service.

Good Luck! :beatnik:

[RF Overlord]

My dealer messed up the fuel filter install. Check engine light came on. They re-set the trouble light and told me it was "possibly air" in the fuel line, and to bring it back if it gave me any more trouble.(it didn't). Actually, they most likely DIDN'T mess up anything. It's common for the CEL to come on after changing to the larger fuel filter (FG-800A), so as long as it didn't come back, I wouldn't worry about it.

[DeadVic]

I have had three CV/GM/MM cars since 1997. all have had tranny shudder at one point or another. a full flush is in order. Whenever any of mine show this symptom a full flush corrected it within about 100 miles of the flush.

The MM had it at 17K miles. a full flush fixed it. I'm at 35K now and it's probably due again.

[Amsoil_Dealer]

^^^what Mac said^^^

Lead Foot,

I agree with what RF and Mac said.

Many Crown Vic guys swear that Amsoil ATF helps eliminate the shudder. Frankly, no oil will fix a problem and I cannot promise that Amsoil will eliminate the shudder. It is however, a top quaulity, full synthetic, Mercon V ATF.

If you were to use RFs multiple flush procedure, this would be the product to put into you tranny last (it is too expensive to simply flush it out). If you are interested to try it, I can get you (and any MM.Net member) a nice discount.

Good Luck,

Don

[Krytin]

[QUOTE=SergntMac]I don't know the specs of this substitution, but it's seems fine in your application. Bravo!

Is it cheaper? - Cheaper than full synthetic. Cam II is pretty high quality oil.

Do you have an aftermarket torque converter? - Stock.

Do you have a tranny retune over OEM specs? - Enlarged ports in valve body separator plate and removed lower accumulater springs per the infamous "J-Mod". No change to line pressure w/DR's retune on thr Xcal 2.

Now that you have a drain plug, you save even more money in maintenence. Just drain the pan every 5-6K miles and refill. Should save you a lot of money over the long run. - More like 15k but more frequent when raced!

[Leadfoot281]

I'm going to the dealer tomorrow for a "pan drop", (fluid and filter change). The tech thought I was crazy. They don't even have "marauder" in their computor! The closest they have is "mountaineer"! And I'm crazy?!

I don't think these people know Mercon V from dog water. Should I bring my own? If so, how much?

I like the idea of using a full synthetic too. Especially due to the heat in an automatic. But that may have to wait till 50k miles.

They quoted me $140. We'll see I guess.

[jgc61sr2002]

I'm going to the dealer tomorrow for a "pan drop", (fluid and filter change). The tech thought I was crazy. They don't even have "marauder" in their computor! The closest they have is "mountaineer"! And I'm crazy?!

I don't think these people know Mercon V from dog water. Should I bring my own? If so, how much?

I like the idea of using a full synthetic too. Especially due to the heat in an automatic. But that may have to wait till 50k miles.

They quoted me $140. We'll see I guess.


Find another dealer. I wouldn't let them touch my Marauder.

[RF Overlord]

^^^what jgc61sr2002 said^^^

$140 for a pan drop?! Run...

It's really a simple job to do yourself...in under an hour and for about $35. Check out the how-to in the FAQ here (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/faq.php?faq=how_to#faq_trans_f luid_chg). You'll need 4 quarts of Mercon V, available at Wally World, AutoZone, etc. and a filter, either from the dealer or your favourite parts jobber. The gasket is reuseable.

[Leadfoot281]

I called the dealer this morning and cancelled the apt. I used a card board box to drain the oil into (line it with 2 trash bags first!). Pan looked clean enough I guess. Some dirt. Not bad.

A friend told me to never "flush" a tranny. Claims it just "forces crap the system". He rebuild these units, so I took his advice.

Thanks RF for the link and info. I wasn't aware that the gasket was re-useable. Things are holding tight yet. No leaks. It may take a while to notice any improvement since I only drive it a couple times per week. My dailly driver is an 89 Crown Vic P71 w/189k miles ,loads of rust, no hub caps, no mufflers, no cats, and no tail pipes. (most fun I've ever had with $400!).:D

I'll keep everyone posted should the trouble return. Thanks again!

[RF Overlord]

I used a card board box to drain the oil into (line it with 2 trash bags first!). Pan looked clean enough I guess. Some dirt. Not bad.Way to go, Leadfoot... :up: Feels good to DIY, eh?
A friend told me to never "flush" a tranny. Claims it just "forces crap the system". He rebuild these units, so I took his advice.*sigh*...that's not true, and you'd be surprised how many supposedly knowledgeable people still believe it. If done correctly, a flush simply uses the transmission's own pump to discharge the old fluid into a container while simultaneously pulling fresh fluid into the transmission. It doesn't "force" anything anywhere.
It may take a while to notice any improvement since I only drive it a couple times per week.You may also have to repeat the drain-and-fill process to get enough of the old fluid out. A single pan-drop changes approx 25% of the fluid...a second change will up that to ~37.5%. You can see where this is going...that's why a flush is generally better as it gets >95% of the old fluid the first time.

[Leadfoot281]

The card board box trick is something I learned in the Army. We never had a large enough pan for some things. That, and blowing wind could splatter oil everywhere, especially on a very tall truck where the drain plug is 3 feet off the ground.

I then just cut a hole in the bags and poured it into a 55 gallon drum here on the farm for used oil. Works like a charm!

The Marauder gets put away for the winters, so it won't be till spring/summer of 06 before I get another 5k miles on it.

Thanks again!