ATX questions

[smoke-n-squeal]

My 2003 ZX2 has an ATX. I notice people talking about it shooting craps and that the oil should be changed fairly often and it may over heat easily. So I have two questions.

1. What's involved in changing the ATX fluid. Is there a D.I.Y guide on doing it and changing the filter? In reading this I probably should do mine sooner rather then later.

2. Did Ford ever fix the over heating of the ATX? I'm hoping that my 2003 has the issue resolved. If not how do I go about adding an aux cooling to it?

I have about 66,000 miles on her and want to reach the 200,000 mark that some have talked about. The longest I've ever kept a car running was 125,000 and that was my 90 Ford Probe. I loved that car and wish it would of ran for ever.

[ZX2Fast]

Ford never addressed the overheating issue. You can pick up an auxillary cooler at any part store. It'll have directions for installation.

[smoke-n-squeal]

Okay I'm striking out here. I'm not finding anything for an auxillary cooler. I've talked to a few auto parts stores and they had no clue what I was talking about at least for a zx2. Can you give me a brand or part number or a site where I can look this up and get an idea on price?

[blue_2001]

just tell them u want to add a tranny cooler to it

[JonsZX2SR]

How hard is it to go to a NAPA, Advance Auto, AutoZone, etc. website and type "automatic transmission cooler" in the Search box and hit Enter ??

-> Automatic Transmission Cooler

If your mechanic skills aren't better than your internet skills, I would suggest getting someone with experience to help you with this. Installed incorrectly, it could leak and destroy your transmission.

[Tygen1]

I put 226,699 miles on my ATX, no auxilary trans cooler It didn't die altogether, just the seals are shot and it doesn't like to go into gear anymore, rev it up a bit to build some presure and it would jump into gear. I'm sure it would have lasted longer if I didn't abuse it one winter day when I was stuck in 10.5" of snow and doing one wheel peels and D to R drops for hours on end in a desperte attempt to get out. I'm serious about doing it for hours My CV axle seals leaked like crazy and I was too lazy to change them for quite awhile, so I'd just refill the trans when it had a hard time shifting into gear The car was pretty much stock the whole time. I did change the trans fluid and filter every 20K or so, it's cheap and easy.
Maybe I was fortunate, who knows. Many swear by the trans cooler, I'd say yes. I noticed in stop and go traffic, in 90+ degree weather, the trans would start acting all crazy, my bet was high mileage plus overheating.
One thing I did to make it easier to change the trans filter was make a cut and drill a hole in the cross member. I found that two paticular bolts took 100 times longer to take out and put in, so I made it easier. Another trick is to jack up the motor a little to make it easier to wedge the pan out. The attached picture is of the cut and hole, not easy to understand, you'd probably have to print it and slide under the car. These two cuts reduce my change time by at least a half hour it seems, and that's important to me cause I change the fluid about twice a year.

Anyhow, excessivly long and rambling, but I hope this helps...

[smoke-n-squeal]

How hard is it to go to a NAPA, Advance Auto, AutoZone, etc. website and type "automatic transmission cooler" in the Search box and hit Enter ??

-> Automatic Transmission Cooler

If your mechanic skills aren't better than your internet skills, I would suggest getting someone with experience to help you with this. Installed incorrectly, it could leak and destroy your transmission.

I thought this was a newbie section with no harassing. You go to Napa and type that in and see what you get or autozone's site. I really didn't think it was 7.99 ( http://www.autozone.com/R,APP1051796...ductDetail.htm ). I found that one on Advance but thought it was a replacement not an aux add on.

Nothing like starting the day off being told your and idiot. Thank