1994 explorer won't shift when heated up

[Bmoresports]

Hello I'm new to forums and am desperately hoping someone can hep me with my 94 explorer sport 4.0 manual 5 speed with 125000 on it. I have no idea what maintenance has been preformed. The truck is acting up it seems when heated up. If I come to a complete stop getting into 1st can be very tough. It will refuse to let me go into first or any other gear for that matter I'll need to force it in at times or put it into gear while moving which works every time but it's still rough.ALSO GRINDS when trying to go into reverse. Yes I am completely stoped when trying to get into reverse and am not forcing it I'm being gentle and giving the clutch time to disengage but it won't. I think it's the pesky slave cylinder but I'm not 100 percent. Any advice on what it could be would be GREATLY APPRECIATED thank you.

 

[murkinstock]

Welcome to the Forum!

If I was in that situation, I would probably go through the whole system and check:
-Clutch and transmission fluid, if anythings leaking make proper repairs.
-If clutch fluid is not looking too well, I would completely flush and bleed the system.
-Drain and refill transmission fluid.

In your case of not knowing any of vehicles maintenance, I would also just change all of the fluids just to be on the safe side.

Good luck!

 

[Arne13]

I am guessing, but if mine was acting that way I would think it is time for a new clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearing. While you are in there, check out the slave cylinder and make sure it isn't leaking. Actually, it sounds like the fingers on the pressure plate are going bad, but like I said, I am just guessing. Arne.

 

[the_don]

will it go in to gear with the engine shut off?

 

[Bmoresports]

will it go in to gear with the engine shut off?

Oh yea that's the only way to get it into reverse now. All the gears are real smooth with the engine off.

 

[2stroke]

Its a clutch issue, I just fixed mine a couple weeks ago. I went all out and put on a new master cylinder, slave, line, and friction clutch plate. I think what my problem was, was the master cylinder was leaking internally. If it is using fluid, it is almost certainly the slave. About $150 and a whole weekend later and mine shifts like butter.

 

[Bmoresports]

Thanks guys. Usually I fix cars myself but this one left me scratching my head so I'll be paying for the fix this time. I hope it's just the master cause that's a whole lot simpler than the slave or clutch.

 

[the_don]

Replace the master cylinder. and change the fluid while your at it, i personally like using DOT 3 brake fluid.

 

[2stroke]

The first step is to bleed the system as best you can. Any dot 3 fluid will work. Do it 5 or 6 times. It will get you by for a while. If it fixes it, great. Most likely you will be doing it again in a month or less. In that case, try and do the master cylinder. I bought mine for $90 because I needed the hose too. It comes with the hose, reservoir, and is even pre-bled for you. You can get them cheaper though. No need to pay someone to replace the master, as all you have to do is un hook it from the slave, and unbolt it. If you can't get the master to disconnect from the slave like I did, the only real option is to do the whole system. The slave, however, is a job. Without the proper lift, you will wrestle the transmission for hours like I did. I've taken the tranny out of an explorer before, but I had a bunch of jacks, and the body seam was already beat flat as well as part of the heat shield cut out. The trick is to get the front high enough so you can angle the tranny down to get it under the body and over the exhaust. It was good of ford to engineer something that can't be taken apart. I actually just ended up cutting the exhaust out, and welding it back together when done. But I'm getting off topic. Bleed first, then master cylinder. If you have to do the slave, do the input shaft bearing, clutch (friction only, or the whole thing is up to you) and don't forget about the engine rear main seal.

 

[Bmoresports]

I replaced the master cylinder it's shifting much better now but still not completely right the slave is next. But the damn thing failed emissions and I don't know what it could be! Frustrating cause I recently bought it and I can't drive it legally

 

[Kingphil]

Not sure where you live but here in CT you get 60 days after you fail emissions to get the vehicle repaired and retested, during which you can drive it perfectly legally. What specifically failed during the test? post your results and maybe we can help diagnose it