14 year old trans is finally failing

[michael loibl]

We made it 14 years and 159,000 miles on the original 5R55 trans. That includes many trips towing a 3,000 pound camper with a full load of people and stuff in the truck. Also too many to count trips with the utility trailer.

We have had a bit of a shift flare on the 2-3 shift for a few years, and reverse would slip if I gave it a bit of throttle also for several years.

Well, this week my wife reported slippage accelerating onto highways, as well as excessive RPM at 70 MPH.

Then she reported difficulties backing out of a parking space on flat ground.

I guess it’s time for a trans. Truck is in too nice condition to give up on,Plus I love the dark blue/tan trim Eddie Bauer look.

 

[acres90]

Mine too...i have an 07 4.0 4x2 eddie bauer with 200k...trans crapped out...cheapest ive seen is from oreilly for $1800. Dont know what to do now. The car is not worth much

 

[94Eddie]

The issue I see with replacing a transmission on a high mileage V6 Explorer/Mountaineer is the SOHC engine. Odds are the timing chains/guides will need to be replaced soon if it has never been done. Add the cost of a transmission and timing gear swap together and I don't see where the cost is justified. If the owner can do the engine work then this isn't as big an expense and helps to justify the cost of the transmission swap.

 

[michael loibl]

Timming chains are on my mind, but thank you for the very real possibility of a failure soon. I’ve owned this truck since new and has been maintained very well. We really like it.

Plus I’ve got a few teenagers coming up on driving age and I could see passing it down as a first car to one of them.

I also need something to tow my camper once in awhile, new trucks aren't in the budget right now.

 

[acres90]

Mine still looks good...id like to do something with her that dont cost a f'n fortune on a car thats worth nothing.

 

[94Eddie]

Mine still looks good...id like to do something with her that dont cost a f'n fortune on a car thats worth nothing.

Last fall I was in a situation with my 2002 Explorer XLT V8 where I needed to do about $2k worth of repairs that didn't involve the transmission or engine. It had around 116k miles at the time. A 2003 Mountaineer I owned (and totaled) before this Explorer needed a transmission replacement at 120k miles that cost around $3k. I figured it was fairly likely the transmission in the XLT would go before 130k miles and I would have at least $5k in repairs for a vehicle that was worth maybe $3.5k. I decided it was time to put that $5k toward an upgrade but found the 5th gen Explorers too watered down for my taste. I ended up with a 2010 loaded Mountaineer for a good price. I am glad I went this route instead of dumping serious cash into an eighteen year old vehicle. While the eight year newer model may not seem like much of an upgrade it really was considering the options and condition of the 2010 I bought. I think I have around $8.5k into it less the $2.8k I got for trading in the 2002. This puts me about even for the swap if I would have faced a transmission failure with the XLT along with the $2k in repairs it needed. This got me an eight year newer vehicle that is much better optioned than the 2002 and has about 20K less miles. Plus, it gets about 20% better mileage than the XLT and has more horsepower. Plus, the 6R80 transmission in the 2010 is very reliable and has a high probability of lasting to near 200k miles if properly maintained as will the 4.6L V8.

All this being said, it is tough to know when to cut bait on a high mileage vehicle. I figured I needed to get rid of the 2002 while the transmission was working flawlessly. In your situation, the SOHC V6 with 200k miles is what would make me think hard about dumping money into a new transmission. If you have never replaced the timing chains/guides then it is very likely a looming repair. If you can do the work yourself then replacing the transmission isn't as risky a decision. Since you live in Texas, I imagine your Explorer is pretty much rust free which is another reason to maybe keep it going along with it being a 4th gen model. Maybe looking around to see what you can buy with the money you would spend on transmission and timing chain/guides replacement (along with any additional cash you can add) would tell you if keeping it going is worth the expense.

 

[michael loibl]

Call me crazy, but if I could get a proper remanufactured transmission put in for $3000, And get 2 or three years Till the timing chains let go at let’s say approximately 190,000 miles, I will be okay with that.

Of course there are no guarantees, but I have on this truck since new and is alwaysOf course there are no guarantees, but I have owned this truck since new and has always had oil changes with quality oil and filters and always on time. So that gives me hope that my timing chain parts will last longer than the average 4.0

Just for ***** and giggles, I just looked up what a complete Jasper remanufactured motor costs and it’s $2800 including shipping, would I be crazy to throw a transmission in it this year, and possibly a motor in a few years?

 

[acres90]

What id like to do is get a tranny from a salvage yard and then sell it. The local one here told me $850 installed. But they dont have one and its been over 6 months already. Oreilly has them for $1800 but i gotta do the work myself

 

[94Eddie]

Just for ***** and giggles, I just looked up what a complete Jasper remanufactured motor costs and it’s $2800 including shipping, would I be crazy to throw a transmission in it this year, and possibly a motor in a few years?

It could very well be justified putting a new motor in a high mileage vehicle if it is sound (i.e. no serious rust, has been well maintained, is in good condition etc.). Basically, can you expect to get a lot more miles from the chassis or years of use with minimal future repairs. For me, I looked at the money I figured would be needed to keep my 2002 going long term and decided that money was better spent on a replacement. Part of my reason was wanting more options and a newer updated Explorer/Mountaineer. Once I started looking around at my options, I came to the realization that for the same money I would spend keeping the 2002 on the road I could have a 2010 model loaded with options, a more durable transmission, a nearly as reliable V8 engine with much more horsepower, better MPG and with fewer miles. This made my decision to let the 2002 go much easier.

 

[acres90]

Call me crazy, but if I could get a proper remanufactured transmission put in for $3000, And get 2 or three years Till the timing chains let go at let’s say approximately 190,000 miles, I will be okay with that.

Of course there are no guarantees, but I have on this truck since new and is alwaysOf course there are no guarantees, but I have owned this truck since new and has always had oil changes with quality oil and filters and always on time. So that gives me hope that my timing chain parts will last longer than the average 4.0

Just for ***** and giggles, I just looked up what a complete Jasper remanufactured motor costs and it’s $2800 including shipping, would I be crazy to throw a transmission in it this year, and possibly a motor in a few years?

I don't know where you saw $2800. I looked at their website and its $3800 not including shipping

 

[michael loibl]

The jasper site sent me this after I entered my vehicle information

 

[michael loibl]

 

[Explorer_PL]

That's a good price for Jasper motor.
I see them for 2500 from no name places.

 

[PDR60]

As for the transmission. Check bestbuy transmissions. They can get you a rebuilt and updated trans for around 2k. The only thing you have to do is swap it out. The trans comes with a new torque converter and a five year warranty. Or if you're willing to rebuild the trans yourself its around $600-$1000 in parts with the converter. You'll need some special tools and the jig to sleeve the two servos but its not that hard. By the time you spend the money on a trans kit, torque converter, and the tools the remanufactured unit from BestBuy is pretty cost effective. As far as the timing components go, its not too bad. The Cloyes set is around $400 and it will need an engine pull to do the work. You'll also need a tool kit like this for about $100. With the quality of the Cloyes set, it will outlast the rest of the vehicle unless you're like me and keep them forever.....