Weird hesitation and transmission ??

[sheldon98]

I am experiencing a weird hesitation on my '98 XLT. When I am at around 45mph the engine spins at about 2000 rpm. When I let off the gas, there seems to be a slight flutter or hesitation. I don't seem to have any shifting issues any other time but only at around 2000 rpm. I have also seen a decrease in fuel mileage. I am planning on checking/changing plug cables and MAF sensor. Could it be something else?

Also - I haven't changed the transmission fluid in about 50k miles. I have 114k on the truck. Quick 10 told me they would not power flush a transmission with over 100k on it. I would have to drop the pan. How hard is this? Is it something I can do myself? How do I change the remaining fluid in the system?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Blee1099]

I am experiencing a weird hesitation on my '98 XLT. When I am at around 45mph the engine spins at about 2000 rpm. When I let off the gas, there seems to be a slight flutter or hesitation. I don't seem to have any shifting issues any other time but only at around 2000 rpm. I have also seen a decrease in fuel mileage. I am planning on checking/changing plug cables and MAF sensor. Could it be something else?

Also - I haven't changed the transmission fluid in about 50k miles. I have 114k on the truck. Quick 10 told me they would not power flush a transmission with over 100k on it. I would have to drop the pan. How hard is this? Is it something I can do myself? How do I change the remaining fluid in the system?

Any help is appreciated.

First off couple of questions, what gear ratio? 2000 RPMS at 45 MPH sounds somewhat normal but all trucks are different. New spark plugs & wires would dramatically help things. If you haven't done a transmission service in 50k miles, I recommend getting it serviced. A power flush won't hurt the transmission with 100k on it. Mine has 138K and I do it once a year but also do transmission filter changes regularly. I assume you have the SOHC motor, if so, you'll have to remove the front driveshaft to get access to the filter & pan. If you don't have the SOHC, it should be a piece of cake. What I recommend doing is doing both a flush & filter change. I would change tranny filter first and then do a flush since there is still a great bit of fluid in the torque convertor.

 

[sheldon98]

I don't know the gear ratio. It is stock as from the factory. I do believe I have the SOHC engine. Thanks for the advice.

 

[TPLYNCH]

the code for the gear ratio is on the metal card attached to your door. Get that and search for it on this site and you'll now the ratio.

 

[Wes]

Probably not the MAF..you're car probably wouldn't even start if the MAF was acting up...

I noticed something similiar to what you're explaining...My rings are going bad which in turn lead to a vacuum issue...this all lead to a loss of power and the vacuum would reverse when started thus blowing the plugs off the vacuum tree. (i don't know the real name).

Now about the tranny fluid. I changed mine and it wasn't to bad. Keep in mind I drive a 93 X but hey a tranny is a tranny right? You'll want to change the fluid, filter and gasket that seals the tranny pan to the tranny.. I bought the filter at O'Reillys and the cool thing about the gasket was that the tranny pan screws fit into the gasket and the gasket will hold the screws for you..The holes in the gastket seem too small, but they are perfect! You'll appreciate that when trying to line that badboy up with tranny fluid in your eye and what-not!

Good luck and wear goggles...that stuff is bad for the retnia's.
-W