MTX Fluid levels

[IBleedFordBlue]

new to SHO ownership long long time FORD Fanatic
i am a fair backyard mechanic with access to a garage with a lift and enough tools and equipment to make some pro shops jealous ...anyhow the 1995 Taurus SHO now in my stable is actually the G/F's car but i will be handling all maintenance sooo i joined up..thanks for letting me in

on to the topic at hand how do i check the fluid levels in the manual transmission on this car and what type of fluid is in it?

 

[IBleedFordBlue]

oh and FYI...i found this forum after googling the above question....and not finding an answer anywhere....and using this forums search tool first as was requested in the top thread of this section of the forum

 

[jayro]

On the front of the trans there is a plug that takes a 3/8 drive. If you remove that the fluid level should be right up to the edge. Basically, when filling, you fill it until it starts to run out the hole (3.1 quarts). While the trans does not have a way to drain it from the factory, many (myself included), have drilled the case, tapped it and installed a drain plug. A search should render the details of how to do it. It is hit and miss on what type of fluid is best. It varies trans to trans.

I have found that a 1/2" drive rachet with a 1/2" to 3/8" reducer works the best for removing the plug.

 

[Phoenix]

The filler plug is on the front of the tranny , you fill it until it spills just like a diff.

Any ATX fluid is good , but what works best : Royal purple ATF / Valvoline / GM synchomech , etc...

welcome in

 

[Lorenr]

MTX Drain Plug

You should service the transmission fluid for sure. If you do not know the history of the car, you should change the fluid. Most of the posters at this site have found that the transmission will shift much better, if:

Use the search feature and look at: "MTX Drain Plug". Pick out what you need.

The drain plug, done correctly, makes the job a snap. Use a synthetic ATF or similar product as needed.

Read everything first, its worth while.

 

[IBleedFordBlue]

ok so it's not loaded with gear oil....i thought ATF might be the case ....given the year...thanks guys
and yes this poor car has not been well attended to....and sat for 3 years but is in good shape underneath fortunately it was sitting on asphalt under a car port not in the mud somewhere...

 

[wjayg]

Fluid

I took a clear tube syphoned out old fluid, pour a little new in, syphoned again and filled

 

[187 SHO]

when i had my trans out to do the clutch,i tipped it on its side to get out all thefluid.i wanted to drill & tap for a plug.but,i was nerous doing so.looks ez tho.i used pro line atf&it shifts great.

 

[SHOVNST]

Any ATX fluid is good , but what works best : Royal purple ATF / Valvoline / GM synchomech , etc...

Does this mean they are all the same, as in different container same stuff?

 

[chrism3784]

The clutches on these cars go out so fast, is best just changing fluid when you pull the transmission to change clutch, which you may have to do soon.

Far as tapping a drain plus, I would not do that. I'm way to nervous about someday while on a long trip something happens and a little fluid starts pouring out. You would not know till the transmission suddenly melts down. The axle seals are enough to worry about suddens leaks.

 

[rubydist]

don't be a baby - if you follow the instructions, tapping the bottom to put a drain plug in is easy, and virtually impossible to screw anything up.

a little pipe thread sealant on the plug will prevent any leakage, etc.

 

[SHOtime2511]

I've always had good luck with mobil 1 ATF.

 

[chrism3784]

I've always had good luck with mobil 1 ATF.

Agree! I use the same

 

[itwonder]

X3 Mobil 1 ATF. Have tried others over 215,000 miles, but Mobil 1 provides the best overall performance in these finicky transmissions. As always, there are other opinions.

Installing the drain plug is very easy.
http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/mod...le=article&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&sid=93

 

[IBleedFordBlue]

i live in N.E. Ohio .....i just replaced the passenger side CV axle and i did order a clutch but since i discovered the axle issue when i finally got it on the lift....i am holding onto the clutch for a better time than February to do it...since the garage is un insulated......lol...anyhow i will top off the the tranny fluid and do the drain plug and ATF change when it's warm...thanks everyone for makin the newbie feel welcomed and also informing me as i needed!!!

 

[jayro]

i live in N.E. Ohio .....i just replaced the passenger side CV axle and i did order a clutch but since i discovered the axle issue when i finally got it on the lift....i am holding onto the clutch for a better time than February to do it...since the garage is un insulated......lol...anyhow i will top off the the tranny fluid and do the drain plug and ATF change when it's warm...thanks everyone for makin the newbie feel welcomed and also informing me as i needed!!!

Are you having any shifting issues currently? I only ask because Installing the drain plug is extremely easy/quick and makes it 100 times easier to change fluids. If there are any shifting issues it could cause more damage to keep driving it. I hear you about th cold, I am in NW Indiana. If Im going to be in the garage I usually turn the heat on when I first wake up to get the temp up before I head out to work.

 

[silverbullet92]

Anybody ever use Amsoil synthetic signature series in these transmissions?

 

[90SHOowner]

Notice all the ATF users, but I hear nothing about gear oil. Every book I've checked so far says 75w-90 is what's recommended. Does this gear oil work well since I had bought 3 quarts already, or should I take it back and get ATF instead?

 

[shomtx95]

Defiantly no gear oil in these trans.

 

[90SHOowner]

Well that's a bust. Guess I'm going back for an exchange. On the plus side, it'll be cheaper. Thanks for the fast reply BTW.