Had my Explorer 1 week...dealer messed up my transmission??

[bfcerny]

Ok, So I have had my Explorer 1 week and it had a very small leak under it. Not even enough to get on the pavement, but I noticed a little drop of fluid under it. By the way...I have a 2002 Explorer sport with a 4.0L 4 speed auto with 62k.

I took it in to the dealership and they had it for 6 hours. They called me and said it was done. They changed the pan gasket, filter, and fluid.
I was not more than 1 block away when I noticed about a 300 RPM slip between 2nd and 3rd. As the truk warmed up over the next 5 or so miles it either went away or got so minor that I couldn't tell. So I thought it was just what hapens after a fluid change. Maybe the fluid needed time to circulate and build pressure.
Well, every day when I get up and the truck is cold it does the same thing between 2nd and 3rd. It is about 10 degrees here, but it never did that before. I checked the fluid level and it is atleast an inch and a half over the cross hatch.
I am sure there is an answer to this question somewhere, but I couldn't find one to specifically address my issue and I was hoping that the transmission gurus on here could give me a specific answer for my situation.

Did they cause permanent damage?
Is this typical in an overfilled transmission?
Is it possible that they did not put the o-ring on right or on at all? (do these symptoms suggest that?)
Is this just what happens after a fluid refill and filter change and it will go away after awhile?

Basically should I be overly worried or does this sound like a simple fix. These guys are not transmission experts. It was actually done at a Volkswagen dealership as that is where I bought the truck used.

I truly thank you for your help. You guys are damn smart. I think this forum is great. If only everyone was this polite to eachother in the real world...

 

[BrooklynBay]

It's possible that they used the wrong type of fluid. Take it back to them before they say that you waited too long. Are you checking the fluid level with the engine running after it reached the normal operaing temperature?

 

[bfcerny]

yes...and on a level surface. I checked it about 5 times. It smells funny too now. Kind of burnt???

 

[BrooklynBay]

What about the color of the fluid? This chart is in # 34 in my list of useful threads:

 

[bfcerny]

it's new...it's pink

 

[bfcerny]

ok. I just came from the shop. They did a drain and not a flush on my transmission and then added 11 quarts of fluid. It only calls for 10.3 when completely empty. If they did not flush the system, just drained from removing the pan, how much residual fluid would have been in there that they added 11 quarts on top of???

 

[bfcerny]

anyone else want to chime in?

 

[JTX]

I'd say they over filled it if they added 11 more. If i was you i'd take it there and tell them you'll pick it up when it's ready or you want a different car. I believe you have 15 days no questions asked return policy. Every state is different though.

 

[96eb96]

anyone else want to chime in?

Is this a professional place? They added 11 quarts to an empty pan? The pan barely takes 4 quarts. Are you sure they didn't do a fluid exchange?

You would see ALOT of fluid around the trans if they put that much in. Such an amount of xcess fluid could aerate and cause issues in the trans now or later. Then again you didn't drive it that much.

2-3 shift issues could be another problem too (shift flare issues with the valve body).

If its 1 week since you bought it I would have them do a diagnostic on the trans. There should be a 30 day warranty AT LEAST.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I don't see how they could add so much without it leaking out of the overfill vent.

 

[bfcerny]

Well when I went back the guy that sold me the car knew they had put 11 quarts in. He was a salesman and he knew that...???Apparently it was a specticle because why would the salesman remember that a week later. They tried to tell me that since they are not a Ford dealer they did not know how much it took and how much the torque converter would be holding. THey say its fixed now and to let them know if I have any more issues.

 

[Cobraguy]

This is about as scary a story as I've seen in a while. And this place charges people money for their work???

 

[sport97]

I had jiffy lube under fill my transmission fluid last time, then i took it in and they wayyyyyy over filled it, it was the manager who over filled it, they prob had to take a whole quart or more out when i took it back the 3rd time. It has shifted funny since then. I dont have the flare up like you, but it makes a thump going into 3rd and firmly shifts sometimes, but hasnt slipped since it was drained back to normal level.
Check you trans fluid, check it on level in park while running, drive it about 20 miles to make sure its warm before you check it. They may have messed up the fluid level again, hope not

Moral of the story: don't take your car to have fluids changed unless you know and trust the people.

 

[Four0Sport]

even if they arent a ford dealership.. the answer is only a call away. if they changed the filter most of the filter boxes out today have the service fill amount on the side of the box. that is scary.. 11qts for a pan drop! no way.

 

[96eb96]

even if they arent a ford dealership.. the answer is only a call away. if they changed the filter most of the filter boxes out today have the service fill amount on the side of the box. that is scary.. 11qts for a pan drop! no way.

So hard to believe that dealership techs, regardless of the brand, wouldn't know 11 qts is wrong for a pan drop. They can also find this info on the net, even if they made a post on a site like this.

If this happened to me I would make them warranty the trans for a year, or take the truck back. Especially now that there is a concern. These trans aren't the greatest in the world to start, everything should be at least done by the book. They did admit to the 11 qts in the empty pan, and like I said such excess fluid can aerate, affect pressures etc. I don't even think the trans takes 11qts in total according the the manual. I recall 10.

This is all the more reason to learn and do as much of your own work as possible.

 

[bfcerny]

I had to take it back again today. I backed out of the driveway...put it in drive and...nothing....just RPMs..as if it were in nuetral and then about 7 seconds into it (after sitting like a dead duck in the middle of the street I had just backed into) there was a clunk and a jolt and then I took off. No shifting issues after that, but I took it back in and they are going to kep it overnight to try and replicate it in the morning cold.
They actually had the nerve to tell me "atleast you have a warranty with a $100 deductible, so if it is messed up badly, it won't cost YOU too much"

I am frustrated. Does anyone have any stories about the tranny on these NOT having a problem?

 

[JTX]

Why don't you seriously just tell them to keep it? Check your paper work and see how long you have before its to late. Dealers are desperate! You can find another Explorer in an instant!

 

[96eb96]

I had to take it back again today. I backed out of the driveway...put it in drive and...nothing....just RPMs..as if it were in nuetral and then about 7 seconds into it (after sitting like a dead duck in the middle of the street I had just backed into) there was a clunk and a jolt and then I took off. No shifting issues after that, but I took it back in and they are going to kep it overnight to try and replicate it in the morning cold.
They actually had the nerve to tell me "atleast you have a warranty with a $100 deductible, so if it is messed up badly, it won't cost YOU too much"

I am frustrated. Does anyone have any stories about the tranny on these NOT having a problem?

I wonder of those clowns put the filter back in correctly. There is an Oring to put back on the filter neck. If the fluid level is correct and the filter is in there the trans is shot. If you could get your money back on this thing that would probably be a good idea.