Tremec 3650 Fluid Fix
I know there are differant problems with this trans. Most common seem to be 1-2 shift clunk. The other is grinding into gear.
Well here is my fix for a 1-2 clunk. When cold this was VERY noticible. Had to shift very slowly and ease it in gear. Would take 10-15 minutes of driving before it started to go away, even then I would hear it every once in a while.
Called Tremec. They told me two things:
- Dump the factory fill (was told by Tremec Mobil 1 syn). Replace it with Texaco (Havoline) Dexron III.
- Drop the fill amount from Ford's recommendation of 3.8 to 3.2 quarts. (3 liters)
They said this would fix the problem. I wasn't as sure as they were. What do you know, it worked. No clunk, even when I try to get it (pop the clutch a little too early). Dont' even get it on a fast downshift like a Iused to. Feels great. If anyone has a shifting clunk I would highly recommend the change.
Should take you more that 20 minutes to do:
- Warm up the and get it up on ramps or jacks. The higher the better as the fill hole is a little tough to reach.
- Use 3/8 inch ratchet to remove drain plu (bottom rear of trans).
- Clean / replace plug and remove the fill plug. Same type plug, higher up on passenger side of trans rear.
- Don't use a 2 hose hand siphon pump. They are garbage for this job, trust me. Go to Meijer and buy a pump that screws directly to the top of the trans bottle. Make sure the "fluid out" least 1 foot long to reach the fill plug. The "fliud in" line to the pump drops right down in the bottle. Makes it easy to pump out 99% from the bottle.
- fill with 3.2 quarts (3027 ML to be exact). Bottles are marked in ML's.
- Replace fill plug and your done.
I am extremely happy with how the Tremec is shifting now. I ran it through is paces hard, even cold and it is great. If anyone is going to try it has has a question, PM me.
Straight from Ford Customer View Point..."The bumper to bumper 36,000 3/yr warranty does not provide for a loaner car pre repair or during repair". While I have not actually looked myself to confirm this in the warranty guide I'd like to know if anyone on here knows if that is true or not. From my discussions with Ford Customer View Point a dealer MAY offer a loaner as a good faith gesture but by no means is obligated to do so. The three dealerships I have spoken to here in the Dallas area (Middlekauff-Plano, Bankston Ford--Frisco, Bob Tomes Ford--McKinney) have all reiterated the same comments. Essentially, during repair I will not be provided with a loaner free of charge. That just doesn't seem right...it wouldn't be such a big deal for me but its my only vehicle and no one really cares to chauffer me to and from work in downtown Dallas...can't blame them either LOL
Or if you have a moral obligation not abuse your car just take it to another dealer, chances are they will fix it. They should fix it, we pay 24-30k for these cars and they shift like crap from the day we get them, something is not right about that!
