Got a car with bad transmission!!!!?

Question

Got a Ford Taurus '98 from a local dealer, bought it "as is". Checked it at Firestone about a month later (just regular maintenance) and they told me that transmission's gone bad , the fluid is black and it will cost me couple thousands to fix it!!!!!!
I was soooo bummed!!! The dealer told me that the car was free from any defects and good to go. However the mechanic said that that crap did not happen overnight and the transmission MUST be changed, but the dealer said that if it runs, it's not necessary and Firestone just wants money from me. I feel that something's not right when I switch from Drive to reverse and vice versa and when I'm turning, but I have no clue what to do.
ANY HELP????

Well, the damn dealer told me they'll fix it for $1,000 and I still have to pay 50% of it. They told me that when they sold it to me it was OK. But I DO hear noise while turning and shifting gears is harsh. Do you think I should demand them to do it for free since it is just over a month from purcase date?

Thanks yall fro help!!!!!!

PS> I live in Iowa

Answer 1

Almost the same thing happened to me but a diff. car!! I am a mechanic though, so that helped the problem quite a bit. Check the trans fluid on the stick! Is it low? Go to your local auto parts store and get a bottle of Lucas Transmission Fix!! Add it to the tube you just pulled the dip stick out of to check the level. I have used this product in many cars that have transmissions that are starting to go bad and have got excellent results on all of them!!!! This WILL NOT harm it in any way. Please try this BEFORE you spend any money on it! You WILL be very surprised!!!!
Good luck and I wish you the best with your new car!!

Answer 2

No offense to Firestone, but I wouldn't actually trust them either. Is the transmission functioning OK? I assume it is since you just brought it in for maintenance. If so, I would just have them change the fluid and filter and be on your way. If you can get someone to flush it, that would be better so you can get all of the old fluid out. A normal fluid and filter change leaves a lot of fluid in the torque converter and if it really is the bad, you will just contaminate the new fluid. Once the flushing is done, check the dipstick to make sure the fluid is nice a red in color (before you leave the shop). Drive it a few days and check the dip stick for fluid color again. If it still OK, I wouldn't worry about it. If it's starting to get really dark, get rid of the car.

Answer 3

Many states do not allow cars to be sold as is. Where are you located. Check your states lemon laws.
Never buy a used car without having a pre-purchase inspection done.
If your car still drives ok, just have them change the trans fluid and filter. If you drove it in for regular maintenance it must have been driving ok.
In this area Firestone centers are major ripoffs. I agree with the dealer. This is like the Jiffy lube scam when they show you a car fluid wiped on a white towel and tell you it needs to be changed.

Answer 4

a used tranny from a salvage yard can be anywhere from $400-$1000, depending on miles, etc. usually they have a 30 day guarantee, sometimes a little more, but that's about it. look at general physical condition; make sure it's not horribly greasy/dirty on the outsde, or nothings cracked/broken, pull the dipstick, see if the fluid is generally red, stick your nose right down on the dipstick hole, then smell. get a good lungfull. if it smells burnt, walk away. if it's still in the car, walk around the car? is the car nice? look at the speedo. how many miles? where is the damage to the car? be wary of a car with major front damage. look for one with rear damage. that may indicate the car was running well, and it got hit in the side, or the *** end.that is the one you want. don't buy one out of a car that looks good body wise. people dont trash nice cars. something went real wrong with a car that was thrown away, but is nice looking.you are taking a big chance there.

Answer 5

Sounds like the fluid is burned and the tranny overheated at some time. I used to be a driver for the auto acution. One day I overheard two dealers talking...one said every ford car should come with a extra transmission. I do like ford cars and they seem to be pretty well built, but ford does have transmission problems.

I would be mad too, since the dealer should have checked the fluid before selling the car and seen it had a problem.

Answer 6

If you bought it as is, the dealer has no responsibility to you. You should try to get atransmission flush and fill(oil and filter). If that doesn't work try to take it to a mechanic you trust and get him to try and locate a used or rebuilt transmission from auto recyclers. You should be able to get one for a few hundred bucks. Because it's Taurus there should be lots out there. Make sure the fluid and filter are clean.

Answer 7

how did they know the trans was bad in the first place, couse off the fluid? you drove the damn thing there. ask them for a printout of the diag. what codes did they say came up? where was the most pressure loss?
you cant tell if a tranny is bad from the smell or look of the fluid anymore this is not 1969 anymore.

Answer 8

OK...there is a "cool off" period on your contract. You can default on the contract and still be protected under the cool off...or even the lemon law. Take the car back. Video tape the return if you have to. Contact the local news team and let them know about the shady deal.

Answer 9

Used car dealers are famous for ripping people off,,,,i would suggest finding a mechanic who works out of his own garage,,and let him fix it for you,,,all you need is a transmision from an autowrecker,,or from a parts car,,,one you can check out.
and if the fluid is black,,then the clutches in your transmision are burned out.

Answer 10

Remanufactured transmissions are cheaper.