Mechanic in a bottle??

As a mechanic, I have never used any of these off the shelf remedies to repair a symptom. However, a situation has me contemplating using one. Relative has a 98 Sable with delayed shift into drive. Need to buy some time, if possible, to accumulate funds to replace vehicle. Any suggestions based on experience with Ford transmissions with delayed shift problems. Thanks

Have you tried changing the fluid and filter first?

I've had luck with lucas trans in a can in fws Chrysler, gm 700r4, and a Camry. I know that i didn't list ford or subaru, but chances of success based on previous experience would lead me to try it.

In reply to Dusterbd13:

Thanks for the information.

Fluid an filter change first.

Marvel Mystery oil freed up sticky valve bodies.

I used TransX to buy me about six months in a Toyota with similar issues. It helped until it didn't.

If it's an AX4N, the stuff might help you a little bit (if it's a Duratec engine it's an AX4N).

If it's an AX4S the issue is probably actuator piston warpage beginning to show and no fluid will likely have an effect. If the car has a 3.0 OHV Vulcan it likely has an AX4S.

Wasnt this caused by a stuck drainback valve and the torque converter empties itself out?

IIRC - the poor mans fix was letting it idle for 10-30 seconds before engaging drive- then the car would be fine until it was shut off.

In reply to drdisque:

It is a Duratec

Thanks for the input

I posted the following here about a year ago and can report the auto trans in my Taurus is still shifting smoothly and without shudder. If anyone would have told me this stuff would have worked as well as it has I probably would not have believed. Now have about 20 thousand miles since adding

I posted the following here about a year ago and can report the auto trans in my Taurus is still shifting smoothly and without shudder. If anyone would have told me this stuff would have worked as well as it has I probably would not have believed. Now have about 20 thousand miles since adding

I started to develope a stumble/shutter in the auto trans on my Ford Taurus business car. Took it in to a local shop and asked about changing the trans fluid. They use the method descibed above of adding fluid as the old stuff was being drained. My car at the time had 125 thousand miles on it. The guy said he would do it but did not recomend it. He gave me a laundry list of reasons such as the trans developing leaks with new fluid possibility the trans shifting worse or slipping then it currently was.

He went as far as suggesting getting rid of the car unless I wanted to replace a trans. I continued to drive the car and the problem was getting worse. I did some research on the internet and found a lot of people were saying the same thing as the mechanic said as well as a lot of other opinions about going ahead and changing the fluid. I was starting to think about getting rid of the car as it didn't have a lot of value left in it anyway.

While in a auto parts store for something else I went over and looked at auto trans additives. While standing there another customer asked if I was having trans problems. He recomended using some Dr. Tranny Instant Shudder Eliminator for about $7.00 bucks. The tube only contained 2 fluid ounces but figured I had nothing to lose. In less then 50 miles the shudder was completly gone and has stayed gone now for over 10 thousand miles. Bottom line is from what I have read not sure I would change fluid if the vehicle has a lot of miles.

This always seems to fix my cars.. .. . .

Ok I am no help am I.

In reply to pirate:

I have heard similar advice from mechanics that service and rebuild automatic transmissions. That is why I would not flush it. I have been thinking about changing the filter. The transmission up shifts and down shifts fine. Just hesitates before shifting into low from park or reverse. Shifts into reverse fine as well. Young woman that owns it is afraid it will leave her stranded. I would continue to drive it and see if it gets worse or something else develops, but she isn't that confident in the car.

Thanks for the input

In reply to dean1484:

After 50 years as a mechanic, I still use adult beverages after the job is completed and a success.

Thanks for the input

I've said it dozens of times before and I'll say it again, a pan drop has never killed a transmission that wasn't already dead. If the fluid isn't burnt and it isn't slipping, do a pan drop, fill it back up with Valvoline maxlife, can't hurt. If you want to strike horror into an old mechanic, tell them I did that to an early TH-200 once and it worked better afterwards.

I'll also say that Lucas Trans Fix is about the only thing they sell worth buying. It will keep a lot of problems limping along for a long time, thickens up the fluid to help with worn seals and pumps.

Don't bring logic into this.

Hesitation in shifting is usually a sticky valve body. Good old Marvel Mystery oil will free it up. Worked on Hyramatics eons ago.