Permanant Transmission Damage?

[1990festiva]

So I finally found out what has been wrong with the 5-speed in my Festiva. The Transmission was close to a quart low on fluid. I didn't think to check this because the guy that i bought it from told me that he had been having the problem for awhile (since he put in the new engine) and had tried the usual stuff to fix it.
On top of being low the fluid was no longer red but had become this light orange color. I topped it off with new fluid and it helped as i can actually get the car out of 5th gear now as it was completely impossible this weekend (glad the Festiva is easy to push!), but it still takes a bit of effort. I am planning on completely changing the fluid this weekend, and am hoping that that fixes it completely, but i am wondering if it sounds like 5th gear is permanently damaged? Also, i was thinking of putting some of that Lucas Transmission Fix in it when i change the fluid, Is it worth it to try that?

[Tim]

Your transmission is probably fine. Drain all the old oil out and replace with ATF (not gear oil!). Also check and see if your seals are leaking, that could be why it's a quart low.


-Tim

[1990festiva]

I contacted the previous owner and he said it has been doing that since he swapped the engine 20k ago, so i have a feeling that he lost the fluid during the swap and never bothered to replace it

[JohnGunn]

In this case I would be tempted to replace the fluid and run it for a day or so, before doing it over again, etc., until it comes out clean.

John Gunn
Coronado, CA