I have an 02 Ford Escape. The transmission was rebuilt at 80,000 miles, and now 20,000 later, needs to be replaced. The Ford dealer did the original work, but will not warranty it since their service warranty only lasts for a year, and it's been a year and a half. A transmission specialist quoted $2500 - $4000 to replace. I feel like it should still be covered since 20,000 miles on the transmission shouldn't have caused a second failure. Any help is greatly appreciated!

I'm sorry for your problem, but I think they have you. The only help I can offer you is from my own experience with automatic transmissions: baby them, because they are all problematic. This is especially true of Japanese ATXs, even though their M/Ts are some of the best. See, most people in the world buy their Hondas and Toyotas with M/Ts. It's only in this country where most consumers want automatics--the Japanese product tends to be smaller and more problematic than American-made ATXs.

The best way to prevent premature failure is to use a full-synthetic ATF (e.g. Mobil 1 Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATF or Amsoil Universal Synthetic ATF) and change the ATF filter every 30,000 miles. Both of these can be used in Mercon/Mercon V applications, which Ford specifies. I use them in my 2000 Ford Taurus AX4N transmission. The difference is dramatic in terms of performance, gas mileage, and shifting quality. ATXs run 50 degrees cooler with synthetics and last much longer. Synthetics have a higher coefficient of heat, which allows bearings to run much cooler.

I just helped a friend of mine change the transmission fluid and filter in his 1999 F-350 PSD. It's a remarkable piece of equipment that's used to haul 13 head of cattle (6.5 tons) to market in 100 degree heat and untold tons of sheet rock to Katrina victims in LA. It has a hard 130,000 miles on the original transmission and works flawlessly. We used the Mobil 1 Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATF. Texas refines more petroleum products than anybody and this is what people I know and respect use in the LoneStar state. Yes, it costs a little more, but it saves you a ton of money over the long haul.

So the drill is to drop and clean the pan, replace the filter, button it up (Ford pan gaskets are reuseable), add fluid, start car, run the transmission through all the gears to fill the converter, and adjust fluid level when hot. While you are doing this the first time, drill a 1/2" hole in the pan and install a B&M drain plug--it makes the job a snap next time.

When I was 18, and due to poor maintenance, I had to have my automatic transmission rebuilt. I could scarcely afford it, but vowed it would never happen to me again. That's one reason I became an oilaholic grease monkey.

Great answer. I forgot to ask how many quarts is needed

For 2.0L 4-cylinder engine:

Total Transmission Fill... 5.7 quarts