Official Tremec 3650 Issues Thread

#981
I just bought a 2001 GT with 30k miles and its shifts worse than my 98 S-10 that I sold with 114k miles on it. Oh and I can't imagine the problems with it in the cold if I get the 1st-2nd clunk and I live in Arizona. I'm just glad I have the extended warranty, because if this is only really noticable in the cold I've got to wait till about November untill I can take it in to prove it. (since it doesn't cool down untill then)
 
#982
Warbird said:
OK! I've read a couple of dozen posts, maybe 4
DOZEN. If cold effects the shifting from 1stto2nd or 2ndto3th
and the short term fix is change the fluid, which fluid is the best?
I did read dextron III is much better then the OEM fluid used by FORD.
I was thinking Royal Purple virsus Texaco or some other brand
Mercon/Dextron fluid! Also it was stated not to fill to the fill hole
only use 3.5 Quarts not 4! Has anyone tried this and does it work.
Seems that changing Tranny or replacing parts is just a waste of time.

01' GT Coupe
6,900 Miles
Silver
Click to expand...


It should help a little but not enough to make you happy or fix the problem. Dont use fully synthetic like Redline etc. I heard Tremec said it will mess it up. I had Redline in at first and it may have been a little worse than stock. I used Quaker State Dexron III and its a tiny bit better when cold. And yes lower the amount to 3.2-3.5 quarts.
 
#984
Waisted $ and time

I've tried the fluid level and types , quite frankly all I've done is waisted my time and money. The dang thing isn't going to work right until it has the upgraded synchros and gears...If and when the almighty TSB gets issued.
 
#988
Hmm, not sure about that if so that stupid. Why have 3 different manual trannys, they should have put T-56 in everything like GM did a long time ago. My car has been in shop for three weeks and nothing so far. I picked it up today so I can get it ready for the car show at WFC 7 next week. When I got there the service manager was in a heated argument with someone on the techline. He didn't get much out of them except that a TSB was forthcoming soon and that the "kits" are being put together right now.
 
#989
Okay, Just traded my '02 GT for a '04 Mach 1. The GT had the problem and I was one of the 1st to post on this thread- Well the new Mach 1 shifts like a champ. It shifts as smooth as a Honda! I had the dealer verify the Build date of my Mach 1 as 12/09/03 using Ford Service's Oasis program.

Good luck to those waiting for the fix- If it makes the tranny shift like the one in my Mach you may finally get some restitution.

-Scott

P.S. I really hope my Mach does not develop any tranny problems!
 
#990
I just got an 03 GT with 9,000 miles on it. I have never owned a 5 speed before and was wondering how I would even know if my tranny is screwed up? It does seem to be a bit clunky when shift to 2nd and 3rd, and sometimes I can't get it into 3rd. I have not herad any sort of "grinding" noise between shifts that I know of.

Does it sound like I have a problem? Should I tell my dealer to install this new "kit" when it comes out? Will they even install it if I just tell them to? How do I tell what tranny I even have in my car?


Thanks!
 
#991
I know that "CLUNK" you hear, it's in my 2004 GT as well and I first heard it with less than 1000 miles on it. The car has to be rolling, say 5 mph or so, with clutch in, just move normally from first to second and back to first, thud thud everytime, that you can feel, not just hear.
 
#992
Well twister, why is it you as depressing the clutch and doing a shifty workout? This is not a normal function. The clunk is the windup of the entire drivetrain changing speeds.If don't like the clunk, quit doing the stupid move!This is basic to any manual transmission car.Is this your first manual ?( no ,front drive micro engined *** stuff does not count) What folks here are complaining about is a clash same # letters , different thing.
 
#993
Hey Massung

Could you take that car apart bolt for bolt and put it back together again and have it work better than before??? Please DO NOT ASSUME that I have no knowledge of manual transmissions. I restore and race Mustangs for a hobby. Also, I have a 1984 Ford F-250 4x4 with a T-18 HD 4-Speed that shifts smoother than this thing at any speed. If the TSB (should it ever come around) does not fix the Tremec to my satisfaction I'll be putting the T-5 I have from a 94 Cobra in it's place. This Thread is the only reason I may not be buying a 2006 SVT Mustang. By the way, I do know that is not a normal function, I noticed the feeling slowing down for a traffic light. I experimented till I could find a way to recreate it. My biggest peeve is when a Tech guy tells me nothing is wrong or can’t find a problem. I lost count the number of times I had to show the “expert” exactly what to fix on a car and why.
 
#994
Massah twig I don't assume anything, I am an engineer AND I do know transmissions .What you are doing to produce the clunk is not normal and the clunk you are getting is therefore not normal. That is , its there but only because you have created the occurrance. Just quit doing it and it will not be there. BTW clunk is usually attributed to the backlash noise(one can also feel it) happening in the on/ of throttle possitions. Although these noises are heard at the transmission, 80% is actually the sloppy ring & pinion set up.
 
#995
mussang said:
Massah twig I don't assume anything, I am an engineer AND I do know transmissions .What you are doing to produce the clunk is not normal and the clunk you are getting is therefore not normal. That is , its there but only because you have created the occurrance. Just quit doing it and it will not be there. BTW clunk is usually attributed to the backlash noise(one can also feel it) happening in the on/ of throttle possitions. Although these noises are heard at the transmission, 80% is actually the sloppy ring & pinion set up.
Click to expand...

Are you refering to the backlash? My backlash was reduced from .011 to .08 when I had my gears installed. This did reduce driveline slap, but the clunk remains. Yes, like you said, it does emminate from the transmission.

When you say "quit doing it", I'm not sure I follow you. When rolling through a turn with the clutch pedal depressed (out of gear) and let's say I'm also decelerating because of the turn, if I go to put the car into second gear (at a low, reasonable rpm/speed) the tranny clunks when I do this. If I didn't put it in gear through the turn, then I couldn't accelerate out of a turn! I just don't follow what your point is. I guess my point is that when I get the clunk, it's during normal driving conditions. And honestly, the clunk isn't exactly a great thing, but it doesn't bother me tremendously.
 
#996
Yes clunk can be heard at the trans when a shift is made . It can also be repeatedly heard when you jocky the stick back and forth and not actualyl engage the clutch. This is what was being described above. This is not a normal drive technique and has no useful purpose - except to generate noise.A normal shift disengages the clutch , shifts (clunk - once) and engages the clutch. Yes it is not particularly pleasant but it is a fact of the manual thing.If you have an aftermarket shifter or you have cut the body boot to install one , this noise will be amplified.
 
#998
2001 Geee T said:
It should help a little but not enough to make you happy or fix the problem. Dont use fully synthetic like Redline etc. I heard Tremec said it will mess it up. I had Redline in at first and it may have been a little worse than stock. I used Quaker State Dexron III and its a tiny bit better when cold. And yes lower the amount to 3.2-3.5 quarts.
Click to expand...
Is redline truly going to mess it up? I have been running it for about 5,000 miles and would like to know for sure. Stock the car comes with Mobile 1 synthetic ATF.. why would ford put a synthetic fluid in when tremec is against you using synthetic???

-wade
 
#1,000
I have 41000 miles on my 2002 and have had 3.73's and 150 shot Nitrous Express wet kit on it since less than 1000 miles. I get a "clunk" when letting off the gas and then getting back on it. Never any shifting problems, except for the missed 3rd's (thank God for the rpm safety switch I installed). I've been told the clunk is from slop in the rear end, I've had the backlash checked 4 times by 4 different mechanics, they all say it is within specs.
 
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