2004 Explorer Transmission Issues

[bullitt1011]

Well After doing the search thing I found this thread that appears to make me feel better and scared at the same time. We have a 2004 XLT 4.0L with 145000 km (approx 90,000 miles) The revsere went. Dealer looked at it and the belts were gone. They said it needs a rebuild. We are having it done as we are the original owners and up until this we have had no issues other than regular maintenance. We are being charged $2,900 taxes in for the rebuild. Being from Canada it seems we pay more (don't know why) so I am thinking this is on par with the cost anywhere. The truck is awesome and I am hoping the rebuild is going to last. I didn't notice if anyone stated they have been happy. I am hoping the rebuild will last will watch this thread and update my situation.

 

[Exproblems]

. We are being charged $2,900 taxes in for the rebuild. Being from Canada it seems we pay more (don't know why) so I am thinking this is on par with the cost anywhere. .

You pay more for things in Canada because of your Socialized, Gov't run health care system and your GST and PST taxes which are outrageously high. $2900 for a "rebuilt" tranny sounds high, because for roughly $2300 here in the Buffalo, NY area, you can get a "remanufactured" tranny, installed parts and labor. Rebuilts sell for less than that. A Reman tranny is basically a new transmission. On your rebuilt tranny, try and get a receipt that lists all of the new parts that were installed in the rebuild. You should also be getting a new "Torque Converter" for that price. Good luck with the new tranny!

 

[bullitt1011]

I did speak to the Service manager to make sure I get a list of all parts. I mentioned the torque converter and as far as he knew they don't replace that in the price but he said he wasn't sure. The Tranny gets sent to a specialty shop so unless the converter is still bolted to the tranny I guess I am SOL. I have been reassured that when they do the rebuild all worn parts are replaced. I was told that the tranny is completely rebuilt I should have no issues. I only get the 1 yr parts/labour warranty or 20,000km. As for the price it sucks I am not sure why Canadians pay so much more for almost everything. Hell we go to Buffalo for clothes and save $$$ hundreds for the same things we would buy here. Gotta love government taxes.

 

[Exproblems]

I did speak to the Service manager to make sure I get a list of all parts. I mentioned the torque converter and as far as he knew they don't replace that in the price but he said he wasn't sure. The Tranny gets sent to a specialty shop so unless the converter is still bolted to the tranny I guess I am SOL. I have been reassured that when they do the rebuild all worn parts are replaced. I was told that the tranny is completely rebuilt I should have no issues. I only get the 1 yr parts/labour warranty or 20,000km. As for the price it sucks I am not sure why Canadians pay so much more for almost everything. Hell we go to Buffalo for clothes and save $$$ hundreds for the same things we would buy here. Gotta love government taxes.

Tell the service manager you want a new torque converter. They only cost $200 or so, give or take. In that price they gave you, a new torque converter should have been included. From what I've read online about them, the torque converter is kind of the "dumping ground" for the transmission where worn out, broken off pieces of the internal tranny parts collect there. You would rather have a new one to go with your newly rebuilt tranny than an old one. The 1 year warranty they are giving you is the standard rebuilt tranny warranty many shops give. Some shops will give you 2-3 years on the warranty and AAMCO has a 3 year or lifetime warranty on their rebuilt tranny's.
On Canada's high taxes, I think even a case of beer there sells for around $60 now and you have to go to one of those designated "Beer Stores" (last time I was in Canada) to purchase it. Thank god for the "duty free stores"! As Kramer in TV's Seinfeld liked to sing, "I like to shop at the duty free store".......

 

[mustangman]

LOL Love that you quoted Seinfeld I tend to quote movies and tv show probably to often but hey I love the big and small screen Mustangman loves doing that. Anyway I will get in touch with the dealership and ask them to replace it since everything is apart anyway sound advice. Thanks. As for the beer it's not that bad yet but up there. Summertime I love Corona and it's about $46-$48 a case. My winter beer Keith's White is $38-$42 depending where you go. I do love the duty free shop though. I'm a single malt fan and it is amazing how much cheaper scotch is in Buffalo duty free. Example Glenmoragine (sp?) 1.1L $82 vs 750ml (26oz) in Toronoto $128. Thanks for the tips.

 

[Exproblems]

Anyway I will get in touch with the dealership and ask them to replace it since everything is apart anyway sound advice. Thanks. As for the beer it's not that bad yet but up there. Summertime I love Corona and it's about $46-$48 a case. My winter beer Keith's White is $38-$42 depending where you go. I do love the duty free shop though. I'm a single malt fan and it is amazing how much cheaper scotch is in Buffalo duty free. Example Glenmoragine (sp?) 1.1L $82 vs 750ml (26oz) in Toronoto $128. Thanks for the tips.

I take it you are using another forum screen name here from your "Bullitt1011" messages? The location is the same though. Anyhow, as far as I'm concerned, you should be getting a new torque converter in that $2900 rebuild price, not that it should cost you extra. It doesn't make sense they would rebuild the tranny and not replace the torque converter in their price quote. Your old torque converter was probably contaminated when the old tranny started to fail internally.
Liquor prices are even worse in Canada. I would say triple, or 4times the price for a bottle of booze up there than here. I don't drink much alcohol anymore, but back in the 80's and 90's when I did, we would go to the duty free store (Canadian side of bridge) at the Peace Bridge and pick up loads of cheap beer and liquor there. I remember paying like $7 a bottle for a 1 Litre bottle of Absolut Vodka and around the same for a case of Labatt's beer. That was when the money exchange rate was around 60%. $100 bucks in American money got me $160 in Canadian money, that was great and those were the days!

 

[mustangman]

Those were the days for the US I can remember dreaming of going to the US but not due to the exchange rate. as far as thread names I am on so many sites they are interchangable. I have an '08 Bullitt as well and live on IMBOC.com I am getting the torque converter unfortunately it was not in the quoted price. This dealership has done right by us in the past so I am trusting till I get screwed and then would go elsewhere. Personally I know where ever I go I am paying to much but going somewhere where the trust has been made makes me feel a bit better. I do love the truck it is rustproofed ever year interior is still in great shape and the body style to me still holds up so I am hoping it'll last. The only thing that gets complaints is the factory radio. My 14yr old cannot plug in his Ipod. I told him if the truck is stilling running in a year with no issues we'll put in a new radio. Looked around and for $150 I can get something aftermarket that has USB and AUX for his IPOD. Anyway guys thanks for the comments I hope to be happy Friday even though I am paying more than I want to.

 

[Mkiester]

I've got the V-6, and it isn't much better. I find it has less power than it should for a 4300 lb vehicle. On the Thruway getting up to highway speed it is okay, but on city streets, it's a dog!
On getting 11mpg, welcome to the club! 2 years ago after I bought my Ex, I had all sorts of shop diagnostic's run on my EX and no problems found, changed all tune-up parts, plugs, wires, fuel filter, fuel injection cleaning, K&N air filter etc, cleaned MAF and Throttle Body etc, and I cannot get better than 10-11 mpg in the city with the V-6. On the Thruway, I get 15-16 mpg.
On the sawdust in the tranny trick, aka "dusting a tranny" with sawdust has been around for decades. I remember people dumping sawdust into a slipping tranny as far back as the 70's. Only problem now is, there are no tranny dipstick tubes to dump the sawdust thru and into a tranny like on older model vehicles.

I had a low mileage problem on my 2005 v6 while on the west coast, but it returned to normal mileage as I headed east. I think the gasoline blend is some areas has less energy in it.
Mike

 

[mustangman]

Wow I guess I won't complain about mileage then. My wife drives the truck as her daily driver stop and go city and gets 16.8l/100km or 17 mpg and on hwy trip we have seen 23-24 mpg on trips to Montreal keeping hwy speeds at a safe 110km about 70mph. My mustang is the economy car in the family

 

[mustangman]

Final follow up with the tranny rebuild. The truck runs great (yes new torque converter was put in truck) I am hoping to get another 10yrs out of her. This will become my winter vehicle in a couple of years so I can store the mustang. I would love a new Explorer for my wife but the cost is crazy (at least in my area) I did see a dealer selling a 2011 XLT with nice options 48,000 km for $30,000. Thinking the Edge may be better for my wife, a neighbor has the new Explorer with the ecoboost I think it is a sport that is what I want. Well thanks for all the info guys this forum does not disappoint (sp?)