Engine/Trans Failure!!!

[SteveVB]

My son and I were out on a New Years day trail ride having a great time when 2/3 through the first trail the Oil pressure gauge drops to zero.. so I Check the oil listen to the engine, seems normal. sensor wire loose maybe -jiggle it no change. Sounds ok though. Drive on down the trail, ticking starts to get louder(already had a bad lifter) stop and check it out, oil is dripping from between the engine and bell housing- decent amount. Mechanic on ride notices that the oil seems thin. Smells like trans fluid. Towed down mountain. Searched for tow dolly no luck-its New Years Day! Got a ride home and went to bed. This AM rented a trailer and picked up my Navajo(left it in front of a church for insurance). Putting it on the trailer the engine still ticked really loud but now the trans is not engauging with out lots of rpm?

Looking for Ideas on what may have happened engine I understand - No oil and it wont live long. But why won't the trans engage? Is a bad trans vacuum modulator sucking ATF into the engine a possibility? Would that cause the oil pump to fail? Engine still runs but it is loud, It should be rebuildable.

I was going to go through the engine and trans this spring so Im prepared for that- just wish it was on my time and not on a mountain 3+ hours away!!
Sorry so long- Happy New Year!!

Steve VB
91 Navajo
Rancho lift-31" Goodyear AT/S
and soon to have a new engine & maybe a trans too

 

[Extreme4x4]

Without knowing the mileage on your truck, I am going to take a wild stab at it. Since you said that you were planning on having to do the trans this spring anyway...... I am guessing that it was on its last leg anyway. When the oil pump went in the engine.... and you continued to run it, it would run hot. The trans cooler for your tranny is connected to the radiator. Thus, if your engine is running hot, so is your tranny. Heat kills auto trannies. The tranny fluid coming out of the bellhousing could be from a front seal on the pump letting go due to the heat. That is the way I figure it.

Gloria
93 EB Explorer (highly modified)
94 F150 Lightning

 

[SteveVB]

Gloria,

Milage 145k. No overheating on the engine, the temp never got to half way on the gauge, stayed at 190 or so the entire time. Ive got an aux trans cooler(factory super cooling) too. Pump seal still could be it. I am just chalking it up to high milage.

Question: In rebuilding the tranny what am I looking for? What can be saved what has to be replaced, any simple mods for strength reliability that can be done? Valve body mods? What about the torque converter? Brain dumps from all are needed and welcome! I need some info to speak intelligently to the trans guys.

Thanks all

Steve VB

 

[Extreme4x4]

As far as dealing with a local trans shop, about all you are going to be able to get is a straight rebuild. They should be able to understand when you tell them that you want one of the upgraded converters with the better lock-up clutch and brazed fins (these are rebuilt units. Ford just has the stock garbage). When talking to the local shops, tell them to make sure to replace the forward one-way clutch..... even if it looks fine (otherwise you will have another expensive repair right after the warranty is up on the trans). You also want to make sure that they replace the pump with a factory Ford unit. NO REBUILDS !!! Rebuilt pumps are known to be marginal on reliability. I would also ask for references, since the A4LD is not the easiest of the overdrive trannies to rebuild.

If you are truly looking for upgrades to the tranny, you have to look to Arizona. Doug, with Dougs Transmissions can significantly upgrade the transmission to handle much more power. He can even give you an off-road race tranny like I have. This tranny allows you to split 1-2, and 3 with overdrive, and the lock-up on the converter. You can also use it completely manually. It has welded planetary cages, stronger clutches and bands, and more torrington bearings in place of the stock thrust washers. He can do everything from mild to wild. "Why" you ask, can noone else do this? Doug and FMC jointly own the valve body modifications, and Doug owns all rights to the internal mods. This is why. He is the team captain of the Mecham Motorsports off-road race team. If you are interested, his # is 480-964-3832, and he does ship. Tell him I sent you.

Oh, his prices are very reasonable. Do not pay more than $1300 for a straight rebuild locally (you R&R,it is easy). If you do, you are being taken to the cleaners.

Gloria
93 EB Explorer (heavily modified)
94 F150 Lightning