Scotty,
So i bought my wife a 2002 mustang 3.8 v6 with 128K miles 2 years ago. I noticed the gas mileage just didnt seem quite as good as what i thought it should be when i drove it for a few weeks recently so i changed the plugs wires and air filter. A week or so later it starts backfiring constantly in OD and frequently in 3rd gear. So i changed ignition coil. Now it is very jerky in OD but fine in other gears. It shifts hard sometimes but other times it drives fine. What do you think? Trans. Fluid change? Or something else? Also i hear bubbling from under the hood after a decently long drive (45 minutes or so) but my coolant levels are fine and the engine isnt running hot.
If the transmission fluid has never been changed, it's probably too late. 5 years/60k is what is recommended and changing it now could cause issues. I'd take a look at it and see what color it is and if it smells burnt or anything.
As for the bubbling after long drives, those cars love to eat head gaskets around that mileage. No harm in buying a cheap kit to check it.
Alternatively, you may have a bad thermostat that isn't operating correctly so it tells you everything is ok when it isn't. I would replace that and check to make sure all the fans are coming on as they are supposed to. Also check to make sure you aren't losing any coolant.
If all that goes by and you still hear bubbling, you could have a clogged radiator or other issue. But I'm pretty sure you are hearing bubbling coolant, so it's time to check the coolant system for issues from front to back.
It's definitely getting too hot I would check for a blown head gasket first see my video how to tell if your head gasket is blown Scotty
Scotty and mod man,
Thank you for your help with those questions... I think i figured out a lot of my problem... The morning after i posted my question my car had a no start situation after i got to work. I had the car taken to a mechanic shop nearby so they could look at it while i was at work. Long story short they found a crank shaft position sensor that had some exposed wires, so they replaced that and the fuel pump and in line filter as the pump tested around 20 PSI. Now the car is starting and running very well but i am still experiencing the vibration sometimes (not always) when shifting in to overdrive. The trans fluid does not smell burnt but is closer to pink than red in my oppinion. I told the mechanic about the bubbling sound and i asked him to try to bleed the block to remove any air that may have gotten in. I just got the car home but it DID NOT make the bubbling sound after turning off the car when i got home. I have ordered a head gasket tester kit and i am currently awaiting its arrival. So in your oppinion would it be a good idea for me to replace a quart of my trans fluid with lucas trans fix? And also any recomendations on things to do to the car to ensure long life? I have never had a 3.8 v6 before so i am unsure of the engines over all reliability but i want to do everything i can to ensure a long life.
Thanks for all the help and the great content of your videos,
Jesse