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Shifter gets sticky when warm

3K views 6 replies 2 participants last post by  jw1983 
#1 ·
So I have a 2006 Fusion S with a 5 speed manual trans. Car has been great, I bought it with 40k on it and just rolled over a 100k in the last couple weeks. Other than replacing the thermostat, evap temp sensor and putting tires on it, its been real solid. Of course lately its been a pain. Just went through replacing the evap core in the dash. Right now it could use brakes (mine are pulsating a bit under light to moderate braking), shocks and struts (its feeling a little loose lately), Just put in a new pass side engine mount (it was completely separated) and have a new transmission mount ready to go in (I also filled it with urethane to hopefully stiffen it up a bit and make it last a little longer). It also needs a new belt tensioner as well.
But the most recent thing is the shifter gets real sticky lately after cruising on the highway a bit. I'm not getting any noise or grinding from the tranny but it just takes a lot of effort pulling it in and out of gear when its hot now. I can kinda work it out but rowing through the gears but its definitely very sticky when its hot lately. Not sure if this is due to the tranny fluid or maybe something on the shift linkage? again its not grinding at all, just the effort to pull it out of gear and downshift or change gears goes way up. I guess I need to get in there again and get a look at the linkages and the trans fluid. I'm about tired of messing with this thing after doing the evaporator lol
 
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#3 ·
good idea it seems. It kept getting worse and I finally had a day off today to change the fluid. I then realized most of the stuff I could buy locally was not recommended for the Fusion's transmission and I was up too late to get to the dealer. UGH. So I bought some Mobil 1 synthetic gear oil but after some digging around on the internet I found where M1 did not recommend this fluid for my transmission. The Valvoline synpower also states on the bottle that is isn't meant for manual transmissions with synchros. So I ended up buying some super tech synth blend 75w90 since it at least said it was compatible with GL-4 specs among other things. Figured I'd drain and replace and order some Amsoil 75W90 synthetic or get the stuff from the dealer.
So I dumped out the old stuff, came out pretty quickly cause it was still hot. It was stinky and looking like dark brown mud water. Refilled the tranny with the super tech stuff and drove around long enough to get it nice and warm when it usually starts getting hard to shift and the new fluid definitely cured that. It stays easy to shift even after some hard freeway driving. Only thing know is I'm getting a nice little third gear crunch every time unless I double clutch it or shift really slow.
I do plan on ordering some Amsoil or the Ford synthetic stuff as I don't really plan on leaving the super tech stuff in there, I just wanted to get some cheap fresh fluid in there before I did any major damage.
 
#4 · (Edited)
I have the same year Fusion and I have about 25,000 miles less then you. I am going to be changing mine even though there is no issues. Just with 8 years on the same fluid, and having over 100,000 of the same fluid, I choose to change mine. I don't believe in that whole "lifetime tranny fluid." It's better to spend the little bit of cash now instead of having to spend a lot of cash later if you have transmission problems.
 
#5 ·
yeah honestly I've never thought about it. My car has 101k miles on it, the sticky shifting just happened all of a sudden, then started getting worse. hopefully I hadnt done too much damage already. I'm still getting the third gear grind with the new fluid but I went by the ford dealer to get some of that synth manual tranny fluid everyone raves about. They should have it in for me tomorrow.
 
#6 ·
okay so I had time today to change tranny fluid again. I put in the Ford synthetic XT-M5-QS that everyone raves about. Drove it to the gas station and it felt nice and smooth but was still grinding third. A little later I drove a few miles to see my parents and the third gear grind had all but disappeared. When i went to leave and the fluid was cold, it still didn't grind. I guess I just had to get the fluid all worked though there and get things coated. Now more third gear grind. All gears go in and out smooth as butter. After warm up its still smooth as butter. So far so good with this stuff. I'm glad, I was worried I'd done irreversible damage to the synchros.

So if anyone is doing fluid anytime soon, I'd recommend the factory non synth or the ford synthetic. The Super Tech semi-synth helped but I guess the additives are more for rear ends and not synchronized manual transmissions even though it states it can be used as such. It shifted fairly smooth but of course I had the third gear grind that wasn't acceptable.
 
#7 ·
I found out when I was having issues trying to shift when it was -30C and below out. I knew that the oil was cold and needed to work itself through. Once I drove the vehicle for a bit everything was fine. I only ever had one car grind no matter if the clutch was all the way to the floor and it was a 3rd gear syncro. The car was over 15 years at that point so it was expected. When it came to the transmission fluid I used the right weight but it wasn't "Ford" specific. I am not too concerned about it since that I didn't use synthetic since it wasn't what it was asked. I know I am good for a long time now and I think you are too.
 
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