transmission

often the cooling lines from transmission to radiator are struck by an object and leak all the fluid out~ run a tissue along the lines to find out where they leak~ often is at the connection to the radiator~

I could be wrong, but I doubt the manuals had a cooler line (verses autos having them). That sucks man.. check out www.fordfestiva.com (busier than the aspire site) and ask if anyone is near you and can help. Loving people willing to help festiva/aspire family. Could have been the shift shaft seal or axle seals or input seal, etc.

oops....festiva....I forgot....well it was fun tryin' today~ "things break" this is a smalltime vehicle...over-rated it by having the ability to pull a trailer...it's not that kind of car~ remember the "turd-polisher" 80 dodge colt with the MCA "jet" engine could get 50mpg, but would not climb a hill~ perhaps the festiva is also a "turd-polisher" dump it as soon as possible...is my advise~

Bummer - shop around for a good shop (not cheap) as transmission shops vary in how good of a job they do. That cheap re-build you get will be the most expensive work you will ever do on your car!

Bob, I'm a big fan of the festiva and aspire.. real cheap and easy to work on. The only thing I've not done is mess with a trans but once you remove the rail bolts they come apart and are quite simple, I hear. Tacy, if you join the forum and ask for help, I promise you people will try to figure up something to help you out or figure out what went wrong.

apologies for any disrespect...one of my paintings to brighten your day~

haha.. none taken. hey, I appreciate your kindness. Not everyone loves them nor has to. *thumbs up* Kudos Bob

If you are able to, please keep us updated Tacy! Thanks