changing tranmission oil

[Jcomnislash]

my 91 festy has like 150000 kilometers on it and is still got the original clutch and it feels fine...catches well, doesnt slip and shifts smoothly, but i figured that it might be a good idea to perhaps change that tranny oil.

the tranny drain plug is obvious...but where do I pour the tranny fluid into????...I can't find a cap or a anything on the tranny for refilling. ( pics would really help with this)

and what tranny fluid do u guys recommand?

i'm kinda laughing at myself because i probably looked so hard that I didnt see the obvious.

[warlocke]

from what i understand its not a great idea to change the tranny fluid if you dont have to,

but if you must, you fill the fluid through the tranny dipstick tube.

[Jcomnislash]

really?...i heard it's something you should do every 20k's or so....what dip stick?>?? my car is standard btw...it doesnt have a dipstick...does it???

[warlocke]

o dunno bout standards,

but the reason behind it, from what a ford mechanic told me,

is unless it has been kept up with maint. wise, and if its never been done, the gears could be used to that fluid on its own and if you put new fluid in it theres a good chance the tranny wont shift due to fluid being to think and whatnot

[b3 madness]

I think that Warlocke is thinking of an auto trans. Sounds like you have a manual transmission with a "original clutch". The trans is filled by removing the speedometer cable from the transmission. A fluid change would be a good idea.

As far as tranny fluid goes, I have used synthetics with good results. I am currently running AMSOIL synthetic auto transmission flluid in my original 5 speed with over 367,000 miles.

[Jcomnislash]

yep i got a manual, and original clutch

ur using auto tranny fluid?...isnt that too thin to run on a standard?

[Tim]

ur using auto tranny fluid?...isnt that too thin to run on a standard?

That's what the manual says they use.

I use Royal Purple synthetic ATF in mine to make it shift smoother.

[belld]

standard transmission oil quesion- and spedometer cable..

so am i getting this right you are all using automatic transmission fluid in your standard transmissions? I have a 4 speed should I drain it and fill it (probably never been done- just got the 88 last week).

Then the next question..... right now the spedometer doesn't work and I can barely get my hand up behind the dash, but it feels plugged in, does it need to screw in? If I put new transmission fluid in through the spedo whole then it would give me a little slack in the cable... how do you guys take the dash apart to make this connection? Thanks

[Tim]

Re: standard transmission oil quesion- and spedometer cable.

so am i getting this right you are all using automatic transmission fluid in your standard transmissions? I have a 4 speed should I drain it and fill it (probably never been done- just got the 88 last week).

Then the next question..... right now the spedometer doesn't work and I can barely get my hand up behind the dash, but it feels plugged in, does it need to screw in? If I put new transmission fluid in through the spedo whole then it would give me a little slack in the cable... how do you guys take the dash apart to make this connection? Thanks

Yes, we are all using ATF in our transmissions.

You unscrew the speedometer cable where it meets the transmission in order to fill it.

You shouldn't have to touch the dash in order to do this.

[b3 madness]

Mercon ATF is the recommended fluid for our MANUAL transaxles. I have used 75w-90 synthetic gear lube in the past with no ill effects. I just recently switched back to synthetic ATF however to smooth out the syncros during shifts.

[belld]

Thanks- The reason I asked about the dash is because I believe the spedometer cable isn't hooked up right- if feels like it isn't all the way in, but I can't push it farther in because my hand doesn't fit (and I have small-medium size hands). I thought maybe I could take the dash apart and have more room to push it into the spedometer module....

[WmWatt]

I have changed the transmission fluid on my '89 4-speed manual. It's hard to get at but the speedo cable is held in by a nut and a threaded collar. If I remember correctly I used a wrench on the nut and adjustable pliers in the collar. There is a little jog in the end of the cable end which serves as the fluid level indicator. When it gets wet there is enough fluid in the transmission. I changed mine at about 100k km and there was quite a difference in colour between the old and new fluid. The owner's manual says to use manual transmission fluid. Unfortunately I'm on a computer at the public library or I could check my owner's manual and Haynes manual. They are both at home.

[rain406]

What fluid/brand is OEM for an 89 Auto?

If I were to change the gasket, do I just drain the ATF using the drain plug, then unscrew the transmission pan and replace the gasket?

[kzbill]

Atuo trans fluid is reccommended by ford it has been in my ranger for 172,000mi. so far changed three times. auto trans fluid is used in many industrial geared head lathes too. they run day in and day out for 40 years.
I got the festiva I have because it had gear oil in the transmission, 75-90W gear oil and lots of little pieces. the tolerances are so much tighter than the transmissions of old that the gear oil will not flow as well and yes it is very rough on syncros. it takes more force for the syncro to match the gear speeds when the gear is being driven by heavy oil.

[collegeboi]

where is the speedometer ccable to pour in the fliud, i cant find it, is it from above or under the car......... getting frustrated