How can I buy time?
I have a 2007 Ford Focus ; SE ; 75,000 miles.
It’s slipping gears , OD isn’t working ; it’s jerking ; limp mode after highway driving; and transmission overheating..
I have no money to rebuild a transmission I’m Barely on disability and I use my car for everything but it’s a danger to myself and others on the freeway or even the city streets.... but I can’t physically walk places ... what am I to do ?
The answer to your question is no you can't do anything. The transmission is done and you need to find another solution. That's the truth, and you are being a child.
@yaser, @inthrustwetrust, rule #1 violation - insulting forum members. That's a banning.
Unfortunately there is no magic in a bottle that can fix mechanical problems. The fluid is probably overheating due to slippage caused by worn out friction material which just accelerates wear even worse. Some people have reported success with Lucas "Trans Fix" and Scotty has even recommended it. Of course at best it would be a temporary bandaid but may buy you some time.
I’d sell it off as-is, and then find something that runs & drives with the proceeds from the Focus sale.
Look at really old Corollas/Civics with a beaten up exterior, but fully functioning mechanicals. Or even something like this $200 gem -
As with any used car, have it inspected thoroughly by a professional mechanic, before purchase.
All the best, mate.
The transmissions are garbage on those but I don't think those are covered by the recall where they have to fix it when we're by the car back but you might check with Ford there's a bunch of them they're doing free work on or buying the cars back
You’re the best ; I will still call more around tomorrow and check..
What is causing it to overheat?
The torque converter (TC) is a FLUID coupling. When the turbine is spinning and the pump is stationary, it's called "torque converter slip" . The coupling force is lost and the fluid gets sheared.
All the energy that is normally used to propel the vehicle forward (which is a great deal) is now just basically blending the fluid, causing tremendous wear and heat buildup.
A tire burnout is a good analogy. The spinning tire is the input (engine + TC turbine). The pavement (not moving) is the output (TC pump and the rest of the driveline)
Thanks for the explanation!
Terrible. Are there any ways to rebuild a transmission on the cheap? I feel my time is running lower and lower by the day.
Afraid not, rebuilding modern transmissions is a complex and labor-intensive job that takes a lot of skill to do properly. Really the only approach with a reasonable chance of success would be to have a factory-rebuilt transmission installed, whether from Ford or a 3rd-party rebuilder like Jasper. The cost of the job (thousands of dollars) exceeds the value of a 15-year-old Focus which is likely to develop other expensive problems. The car really needs to be replaced.
The Lucas trans fix will probably last long enough for you to get to a transmission rebuild shop, or the wrecking yard.
The lowest quote so far was near $2,000 esp for my model year.
Thanks for the tip though. Don’t know how much time is left.
It’s just so baffling & frustrating to have people tailgate & beep at me.
When it’s say 85 & hotter out ... it will run SLUGGISH & not accelerate good at all; city or freeway; AC off same thing. Heater on full blast same thing..
Did every possible maintenance item you could from every video on this site as well...
2 local mechanics and a chain both say transmission & Ford says it’s normal (which is crazy) ...
But why AT NIGHT or in cooler weather does it have SO MUCH more pep!?
2007 Ford Focus SE
75,000 miles
2.0 L V4 engine
-Just barely limped home ; lost all power on freeway..
OBD reads as follows: (Check engine light is off though)
DTCFRZF P0128
FUELSYS1 CL
FUELSYS2 N/A
LOAD_PCT (%) 41.6
ETC (•F) 167
SHRTFT1(%) -1.6
LONGFT1(%) 2.3
MAP (inHg) 16.8
RPM (/min) 2239
VSS (mph) 57
SPARKADV(•) 48
IAT (•F) 61
MAF(lb/min) 2.222
TP (%) 29.0
AIR_STAT OFF
02B1S1 (V) 0.715
SHRTFTB1S1(%) -0.8
02B1S2(V) 0.705
02B2S1(V) 0.705
RUNTM (sec) 1068
FRP (PSI) 39.5
EGR_PTC (%) 54.5
EVAP_PTC (%) 86.3
FLI (%) 22.0
WARM_UPS 226
CLR_DIST (mile) 4549
EVAP_VP (inH20) -3.827
BAR0 (inHg) 29.2
CATEMP11 (•F) 1226.12
VPWR (V) 13.943
LOAD_ABS (%) 43.6
EQ_RAT 0.999
TP_R (%) 11.8
AAT(•F) 57
Recently replaced radiator ; hoses ; water pump ; thermostat ; - my coolant resourver cap seems a little too tight ; could that be the issue ??
thanks!
Start with load testing the battery and alternator. Also, make sure the battery terminals are clean and the cables are tight. If that checked out, pressure test the fuel line.
The alternator tests perfect but the battery is iffy... how could the battery be affecting this? Thanks for the help!
Weak battery could cause many issues with computer system of modern cars.
dump some lucas stop slip in the tranny. sometimes it helps for awhile
2007 Ford Focus SE 2.0L - 75,000 miles
Transmission is failing rapidly ; overheating fluid; car struggle to accelerate, etc...
Changed fluid (not filter) three times Drive very gentle don’t even use the AC
Have no money or credit to fix ; need car for a lot of vital things) no public transport in area. Can’t borrow people’s cars more than maybe for a day or two.
What can I do? Tried TransX fix stopped it from overheating for a little bit but started right up again.