Attempting to diagnose transmission issue | Ford Explorer Forums

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Attempting to diagnose transmission issue

f150real

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March 8, 2020
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City, State
Port St Lucie, Florida
Year, Model & Trim Level
1997 Ford Explorer XLT
This is a bit of a weird issue to me so I'll do my best to explain it in detail.
I drive a 2WD Ford Explorer XLT V6 4.0L aka4000cc(inside joke)
This is more-so to hopefully diagnose if it's worth fixing the Explorer or investing that money into a more reliable vehicle. Any professional and thorough explanations or opinions would be greatly appreciated!!!

I have a transmission fluid leak coming from the bellhousing. It's hard to tell if it's from just the front or back or both. My vehicle drives fine under 65mph drives, in fact I can make super long drives if I stay under 65mph. But if I go over 65mph for too long, my O/D Off light starts flashing until I put new transmission fluid in it. I've replaced the filter and gasket on the fluid pan. (In replacing the filter I saw only a little amount of tiny metal pieces, like one or two. A friend of mine told me this is no worry)
It doesn't leak when it sits; only during and after drives when everything is warm. When I look under my vehicle, the whole bottom of my bellhousing and transmission pan is covered in reddish-blown transmission fluid, after each drive.
I also hear kind of a "wwaaaawww" noise, like a ghost wailing, when I drive in 1st gear or reverse, and it's gone when my Explorer shifts into the next gear. It's not my wheel bearings; I've had those checked and they're still good.
I don't know too much about transmissions, and I don't want to go to a transmission mechanic blind. I know there are shaft bearings, and when they go bad the seals go bad.

I'm sorry if that's a lot to read; I wanted there to be as accurate description as I could.
Thoughts?
 



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Whine in 1st gear that goes away in 2nd sounds like an issue with the planetary gear set. Not good :( It's probably leaking from the front seal which seals the torque converter hub to the pump.

Here is some info on the blinking OD light:


 






Is the planetary gear set something that can be replaced by itself?
After doing some research, it might be just that. A lot of the shifting symptoms I get (especially when it shudders in low rev from 2cd to 3rd gear) seem to point to that and/or failing/failed pump.

I work 7 straight days, so calling the mechanic shop all of my local grease monkeys go to is going to be delayed. But at least I have some pointers to refer
Thank you
 






Really just needs to be rebuilt completely, the flashing OD light indicates (if I had to guess) a problem with the lockup converter based on when the light starts to flash. Then you have the leak, gear noise and shudders on shifts too, so anything short of a complete rebuild you would be just wasting your time and money, do it all or don't do it.
 






Ah, it seems that my time to rid of my Explorer has come. I've gotten a quote on rebuilding/replacing already, and I'd rather put that $2000 somewhere else instead of a vehicle I payed $1500 for lol
 






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