03 explorer transmission whining

[Nicholas a]

Have a 03 explorer transmission whining when put in drive or reverse also has a delay I did check the fluid level and seems like it full to me it was coming out! Was not bright red but doesn't smell Burnt @ all the transfer case is low I do know that and the alt is bad don't think that will cause this tho so what to do pump so atf in and see what happens just do a pan drop it has 268k on it just did they timing set what a nightmare it's just like owning a boat bust out another thousand maybe I'll drive it in the river later today lol

 

[Nicholas a]

Oh has a bad wheel bearing hopefully getting a used one today and a alt I'm getting deep in this truck more that it blue books for has sticky hydraulic lifters slight tick not loud tho running 5w20 mmo and a shot of atf motorcraft filter what gives right?

 

[Nicholas a]

 

[Drewmcg]

Do you have the 4.6 or the 4.0 SOHC engine?

What, specifically, are you asking? If 4.0 motor, you should be using 5w-30 wt oil.

 

[Nicholas a]

Yes I know that part of the cap was scraped off I'm going to be changing that after the mmo and atf work some magic I hope lol I don't think 5w30 is going to make that much difference but I'm not sure

 

[Nicholas a]

And yes it's the 4.0 sohc engine

 

[Nicholas a]

I'm mostly asking about the transmission the whining seems to have went away after changing the alt weird I know it was the transmission for sure still has a 2-3 sec delay when putting it in gear

 

[Drewmcg]

Bad alternator could cause whining.

Re. delayed transmission shift, I had similar problem after initially dropping trans pan and draining/changing fluid, b/c I did not get enough back in there (note: I'd replaced the torque converter which had been drained as well). Its kinda tricky to get the trans fluid level correct on these sealed transmissions. There's several youtube videos that are helpful. Here's one of them: .

Be careful, because over-filling can ruin a transmission, too.

 

[Nicholas a]

No I know how to fill up the transmission I follow Ford techmaku loco on YouTube & facebook have the tools to fill it pump used to fill out drives on boats Walmart $5 bucks 3/8 brass fitting Lowes $3 bucks for anyone needing to fill there's no need to spend $20 on just the nipple

 

[deaconblues]

Did you change the filter? Mine had a whine and delayed engagement until I dropped the pan and replaced the filter.

 

[Nicholas a]

No I have not changed the filter and fluid as of yet more worried about the ticking hoping it's because of having 5w20 ticks cold and hot

 

[Nicholas a]

If anyone knows what I the thickest oil I can run or any additives I live in Indiana it's not too cold right now hate to start pulling it all apart again says it has good oil pressure

 

[Drewmcg]

I would not mess with altering the oil weight on these 4.0 SOHC engines. And you say you just did the timing chains, right? Get the 20wt oil out of there, put five quarts of 5w30 in, slap a Motorcraft filter on her, and that's as good as you can get.

With new timing chains/guides/tensioners and the right oil, you should not be hearing ticking/clicking/chain slap. Do you know what timing chain sets you used? Cloyes are OEM and considered the best among those on this site, but even cheaper ones should operate fine new (with correct oil).

Question: did you (or your mechanic) carefully check oil pickup screen in the oil pan for bits of broken timing chain guides that could be blocking oil pickup? This is a common problem with failed chain guides that disintegrate and fall into the pan (happened to me).

Be aware that the oil gauge on the dash is not really a pressure gauge. Instead, an "on/off" switch on the lower front driver's side of the engine that sends a signal if some minimum pressure is attained at the point of the engine, and centers the oil gauge if so.

 

[Nicholas a]

Yes I cleaned the pick up tube out was clogged it's definitely the lifters not the timing chain for sure dumped out the 5w20 and thru in some (used 3k miles) 5w30 didn't change the filter just to see what happened with putting the right weight in and to get the mmo and atf mix out so I can flush it didn't have the lifter tick at first but soon after it started oil is getting up to the cam oilers good yes I know the dash gage may not be correct but it does seem to at least be working right idk so flush oil change with filter and I'm just going to drive it sick of working on it

 

[Nicholas a]

 

[Joe in NY]

wait.. you put in 5w20 with atf to flush it out ? How long did you drive it like this ? ATF is extremely powerful on engine carbon build up and should only be in for a minimal amount of time and then a fresh oil change with new filter installed.

And you threw in already used 5w30....?

There is minimal difference between 5w20 and 5w30. The difference really only shows when the oil is far past operating temperature. (Go look up viscosity vs temp charts)

Get fresh oil and new filter, run it for a bit and see how that goes.

 

[Nicholas a]

New issue with the x when in awd rear makes a clicking sound at low speeds put it in 4 high makes a popping sound when I give it a little gas from the rear not the front what the heck is going on on dry pavement slow speeds would think you should be able to put it in 4 high or 4 low and drive slow never had one issue with my 99 x

 

[Nicholas a]

wait.. you put in 5w20 with atf to flush it out ? How long did you drive it like this ? ATF is extremely powerful on engine carbon build up and should only be in for a minimal amount of time and then a fresh oil change with new filter installed.

And you threw in already used 5w30....?

There is minimal difference between 5w20 and 5w30. The difference really only shows when the oil is far past operating temperature. (Go look up viscosity vs temp charts)

Get fresh oil and new filter, run it for a bit and see how that goes.

 

[Nicholas a]

No driving due to the front hub thought it took 5w20 did drop that out put some 5w30 with 3k on it did a oil flush motor medic new filter 5w30 castrol high mileage syn rislone and stp been driving it around a little bit not much of a change even had it apart and checked the roller followers on one side all looked good hard to tell if the lifters are oiling right with the cam oiler can't remove them no one has the tool anywhere in my town and they want $17 each I'll live with the sound done messing with it

 

[Nicholas a]

Sold sold sold 02-05 Ford explorers are the most junk ever I won't ever buy another between those years had a 98 has 400k and still rolling I'm still a Ford guy other vehicle is a focus zx5 don't get me wrong but Ford dropped the ball on those