Dalmus
Active Member
- Joined
- August 26, 2009
- Messages
- 98
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Milwaukee, WI
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '03 4.0L Flex; 190K Miles
So I have an '03 XLS (4.0, not the 4.6) with 184,000 miles on it... Over the past 3,000 miles, I've started to get a rather rough shift into and out of 4th after the engine has warmed up. 4th to "OD" and back is fine, and Reverse - 3 are fine. There is no RPM flare, just the feeling and sound of it seeming to stick during the shift.
I've also started noticing a rumble and vibration once I hit 50-55 mph. It goes away mostly when I take my foot off the accelerator, and if I keep the accelerator at a point that's neutral (just below "maintaining speed" pressure), it gets much louder and feels stronger. Similar to the feel of driving over a worn down rumble strip. I can't reproduce this sound or vibration be reving the engine to the same RPM's at a stand still, so I don't think its exhaust system related.
I've managed to check the fluid, and it looks relatively good (still red and reasonably clear... amazing for fluid that has 120,000 miles on it). I've had a couple mechanic friends tell me that its not likely to be the filter if all the other gears shift fine.
Question for the group... Is it possible its anything else that is fixable besides a complete rebuild? If it needs a rebuild, I'm going to either sell it to some handy guy that can do most of the work himself, or donate it and take the tax break.
I'd love to be able to keep it as a second vehicle if possible, but just can't justify an $1,800 repair when I have a new Escape with towing capacity right next to it in the driveway.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
I've also started noticing a rumble and vibration once I hit 50-55 mph. It goes away mostly when I take my foot off the accelerator, and if I keep the accelerator at a point that's neutral (just below "maintaining speed" pressure), it gets much louder and feels stronger. Similar to the feel of driving over a worn down rumble strip. I can't reproduce this sound or vibration be reving the engine to the same RPM's at a stand still, so I don't think its exhaust system related.
I've managed to check the fluid, and it looks relatively good (still red and reasonably clear... amazing for fluid that has 120,000 miles on it). I've had a couple mechanic friends tell me that its not likely to be the filter if all the other gears shift fine.
Question for the group... Is it possible its anything else that is fixable besides a complete rebuild? If it needs a rebuild, I'm going to either sell it to some handy guy that can do most of the work himself, or donate it and take the tax break.
I'd love to be able to keep it as a second vehicle if possible, but just can't justify an $1,800 repair when I have a new Escape with towing capacity right next to it in the driveway.
Any ideas?
Thanks!