Hi everybody!
first time posting here... I just acquired a 98' SE - 4 cylinder from my ex-wife... (had to give the woman my car since hers is in the hole and my daughter needs her mom to have a reliable car - go figure!). The car has all kinds of problems that I can't blame on ford... she really didn't maintain the car at all... The mileage is 74K -
1. The transmission is leaking badly! I have been topping the fluid off because I don't have the money to fix it now, but I am looking to get ideas on what might be causing this and how I could fix it... sometimes it leaks slowly... sometimes, after a highway drive, it washes my floor with fluid... very weird... It shifts funny and skips sometimes... but I guess it is because the fluid level is never correct...
2. The A/C is also leaking and doesn't work as of now... I am suffering of heat exaustion here in FL. Any ideas on this one? I have pumped some freon on it and it worked fine, but there was no more freon on it after a week... the fan switch on the dash works backwards.. if i put it on low it goes high and vice-versa... funny though!
3. She never washed the car...ever!!! The molded carpet is a complete mess. I am going to replace it ASAP... Any ideas on where to get one that is not so expensive... Is 120 dollars a fair price for it... how much should I expect to pay for the installation...
4. I have been thinking about a transmission swap. That being an extreme solution to the transmission problem. Has anybody done an automatic to 5-speed swap? What are the steps? I hate automatic transmission and have driven 5-speed since I was born... I would like to keep it that way...hehehe
5. The power windows work fine but the driver's side sometime tilts and locks... it seldomly happens and i am completely willing to live with it if necessary...
6. the engine light is on and I suspect that has been caused by the lack of care... I don't think she has ever replace the oil in the car, let alone the o2 sensor or whatnot
Otherwise, I really like the car...
it handles nicely and it is quite comfortable... I am not going to trade it because it is almost paid off and I can't get anything for it, so it is a keeper... after fixing it I am going to trade the sound system and enjoy it 'cause this one will be paid for BABY!!! lol...hehehe
Any help from you guys is sincerely appreciated...
Best wishes,
Marcio
