T-5 all of a sudden got extremely HARD to shift!

[2000xp8]

Following along with this topic.....

Does anyone have any experience with some brand of synthetic tranny fluid that works BETTER than regular ole Mercon in a T5? What I mean is: Is there a product out there that someone has used that made a significant difference in the way it shifts and acts? If so, what differences did you notice and how noticable was the change?

I've tried a few different fluids, it's been a while since i had a T5, so i don't remember the names, but i never noticed any difference.

 

[tb9050lx]

wtf?? On the way to work, it was fine... It was POURING here.. went through many many huge puddles.... Leave to go home, and I kept missing shifts.... not shifting fast, just regularly... I was like wtf... So I kept rowing it through the gears, and it was extremely hard to get into gear.... Do you think somehow water got into the tranny? Thats the ONLY thing I can think is the problem... I already checked the clutch cable, and it's fully engauging.... Any input would be welcome.

i had the smae thing happen to me ,it poured one day drove through a huge puddle then the tranny was hard to shift ,it was full of water the fluid was very thin and turned a pinkish color .I would not drive it until the fluid is changed.

 

[1993SSP]

I was out cruzin in my stang one time, had to cross a river. My car got hard to shift, turns out there was a 40 lb channel catfish in my tranny. I still cant figure it out

 

[stang8urimport]

INSANE!... To follow up, the trans fluid was PINK and very thin. Def got water in it. Thanks for those who gave advice!

 

[Mike92GT]

A while back mine had water in it too, and it had most likely been in there for a LONG time. Mine shifted fine though. I changed it one day just as regular maintanence, and it came out looking like Pepto Bismol

 

[gcwh02]

i have had the same problem minus the water getting in it. bad pressure plate. So i got an adjustable clutch quad and got some more life out of it.

 

[FastDriver]

**** I was wrong... Sorry

Learn something new every day.

Chris

 

[Mustang5L5]

Following along with this topic.....

Does anyone have any experience with some brand of synthetic tranny fluid that works BETTER than regular ole Mercon in a T5? What I mean is: Is there a product out there that someone has used that made a significant difference in the way it shifts and acts? If so, what differences did you notice and how noticable was the change?

Royal Purple ATF.

The t-3650 in the newer GT's is very tempermental and sensitive to the fluid you put in it. I've found this to be the best fluid to use in the T-3650. I do not have expeirence with it in a T-5, but i would like to think it would be equivalent.

 

[Mustang5L5]

INSANE!... To follow up, the trans fluid was PINK and very thin. Def got water in it. Thanks for those who gave advice!

I don't understand it. How did water get in there? The vent on the top of the trans is tiny and capped. I doubt more than a capful of water could get in that way.

My guess, water got into the clutch area and seeped in through the input shaft. However, if properly greased, even this wouldn't allow much water in.

I'm confused, but glad your problem is fixed

 

[FastDriver]

I don't understand it. How did water get in there? The vent on the top of the trans is tiny and capped. I doubt more than a capful of water could get in that way.

My guess, water got into the clutch area and seeped in through the input shaft. However, if properly greased, even this wouldn't allow much water in.

I'm confused, but glad your problem is fixed

Thanks, Exactly! I don't get it either, but it's apparently happened to so many people that it must not be uncommon. If water is getting in through the input shaft in large enough quantities to dilute the fluid, then tranny fluid would be leaking out...

Oh well...whatever... he clearly doesn't need help.

Hey, 5L5, didn't you used to post on a newcelica.org? You still post there?

Chris

 

[Mustang5L5]

Hey, 5L5, didn't you used to post on a newcelica.org?

Nope, wasn't me.

 

[PuterAmI]

Royal Purple ATF.

Ya know, I've heard a couple of people mention this fluid. I was waffling between this and Redline. When I saw that Royal Purple had "automotic" on their bottle, I put it back on the shelf.

 

[stang8urimport]

Yeah, the input shaft seal is brand new... As is the clutch (Ford OEM)... It WAS leaking before, making the clutch slip... so I replaced it and the clutch... no more leaks, but there was def water in the trans fluid... Come to FL and you'll understand how it rains here... It came down harder then it ever has during any hurricane I've been through... I was worried my Ram Air would suck in water, but it never did... But the trans got water in it... Oh well... Glad it's fixed!!!

 

[FastDriver]

Unless you're driving through water that's coming halfway up your doors, I'm still not seeing how it gets in the tranny. Lived in FL for 10 years, been through plenty of storms, and am used to it raining every day for an entire season. I still never had any problems, but it's apparently a normal problem. So, I think you'll probably just have to change your tranny fluid whenever you drive through rain. No big deal.

Chris