HELP PLEASE. Valve body replacement

[tricked04]

I have surging from 2nd to 3rd and just about about have to release the throttle to get it into third, eventually the OD light comes on and it goes into protection mode. When this first started it would take a long drive to occur now its pretty much starting with anything over a mile drive.

I have code P0733 and have read all about it on here, my truck just reached 100,000 miles and is driven like the slow vehicle it is. I think I am going to replace the valve body first, IS THIS WHAT IS SHOULD DO FIRST? If yes should I go ahead and buy this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7997231286&fromMakeTrack=true

Next if that doesn't work or if there is something I should do first please let me know.

This forum rocks at helping Xploder owners out, so I'm hoping somebody has a good answer to this.

 

[whoathere]

Read the 5R55E Valve Body Rebuild Diary, its a sticky in the Transmission & Transfer Cases section. That will help you out leaps and bounds...

 

[NHale623]

Would also help if you told us the year, engine and transmission you're having problems with. I'd also get the codes read.

 

[tricked04]

I did get the codes and there was just one: P0733.
Truck: 1999 4.0 SOHC EB

I have read the valve body article should I try this first?

 

[tricked04]

1999 4.0 SOHC EB
I did pull the codes, only one: P0733

So should I go ahead with the valve body rebuild as a first step?

 

[NHale623]

You may want to perform some additional diagnosis before replacing the valve body.

What is the condition of the fluid? Is it burnt? Is it at the proper level? Has the transmission been serviced recently?

You can drop the pan and look for metal bits, evidence of a gasket blowing out, damaged wiring harness, measure the resistance of each solenoid... (If a band had broken, all the valve body work in the world won't solve the problem.) If I saw evidence of a blown gasket and saw no evidence of shrapnel, then I would consider rebuilding or replacing the valve body.

A pressure test would also be helpful in diagnosing the problem.

I would also seriously consider replacing the OD and intermediate servos. They are replacable without dropping the transmission. The intermediate servo may contribute to your problem, but if you're going to replace one you might as well replace both. They are cheap, but a real PITA.

Keep in mind that may not fix your problem. But if you are committed to the truck and a rebuild job does appear in your future, at least that much of the work will have been done.

The decision to rebuild your valve body or replace it with the one from ebay is up to you.

 

[xFatcatx]

i have a 99 sport, 4.0 4wd auto, 72000miles, 5R55E. i have been having the same 2-3 flare for about two months now. when i pulled the VB my gasket was blown very badly. the new items i replaced are:

-upgraded separater plate with bonded gaskets
-ford mod (new blowoff valve)
-new EPC sylaniod
-new sylaniod bracket
-new fluid and filter

and i still have the 2-3 flare and flashing OD light.

what i suggest you do is everything that i did along with the Superior Shift Kit, and Sonnax Boost Valve. People that have done all of this have had there problems fixed, but i tried to save a few dollars and look what happens. keep us posted. pm me if you have any more questions.

 

[BrooklynBay]

You could get on Glacier991's list for a new design EPC valve: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=175065

 

[NHale623]

You may also want to consider checking the adjustment on the Intermediate Band.

 

[xFatcatx]

go with Nhales's advice first, i might have jumped ahead. if you do decide to do the VB work i do suggest doing everything you can while you have it out.

 

[tricked04]

You may also want to consider checking the adjustment on the Intermediate Band.

Does it talk about this on the VB rebuild post? I am quite mechanically savvy, so anything needing done will be done by myself.

This Board rocks, thinks for everyone posting, and keep it up, I am away for the weekend but will be back, I did go ahead and order this, it was cheap so I thought what the hell. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=180072476273

If I shouldn't of go ahead and let me know. I will be back tuesday to check out any more posts. Luckily it's not a daily driver.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

i have a 99 sport, 4.0 4wd auto, 72000miles, 5R55E. i have been having the same 2-3 flare for about two months now. when i pulled the VB my gasket was blown very badly. the new items i replaced are:

-upgraded separater plate with bonded gaskets
-ford mod (new blowoff valve)
-new EPC sylaniod
-new sylaniod bracket
-new fluid and filter

and i still have the 2-3 flare and flashing OD light.

what i suggest you do is everything that i did along with the Superior Shift Kit, and Sonnax Boost Valve. People that have done all of this have had there problems fixed, but i tried to save a few dollars and look what happens. keep us posted. pm me if you have any more questions.

Mr FatCat, your post is very interesting. I too had the flare, and installed all the parts you did PLUS THE SUPERIOR KIT, and the flare disappeared. Another poster a while back replaced the EPC solenoid only, and didn't cure the flare........This kinda points to the Superior kit as being the flare cure.....????? I suspect there's a part in the Superior kit that fixes it, possibly the steel spool valves.


Tricked04, if that was mine, I'd install a Superior kit in the valve body, and also do the separator plate and blow-off valve. That'll add $60-70 more to the cost, but it may prevent having to pull the pan off again which is priceless.

Good luck,
ROE

 

[xFatcatx]

Trust me I have been kicking myself all week for not doing the Superior kit while I had the VB out. I was considering doing the kit this weekend but I read through Strockets post again and he also did the Superior kit but still has the flare. It just doesn't seem like there is one pinpointed fix for this problem. I found the Superior kit on ebay from a store about 40 miles from me, here is the item#170039988062, could you check for me to make sure this is the correct kit?

 

[BrooklynBay]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...=&submitSearch=Search&fvi=1&item=170039988062. It looks like the one you need. Check WWW.TransmissionPartsUSA.Com for their price.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I didn't see the Superior kit on their website, but that doesn't mean they don't sell it. They have the Transgo kit listed: http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/Ford_4R44E_4R55E_5R55E_shift_kit_p/500-000023935.htm

 

[xFatcatx]

i found the superior at bulkparts for $36, be just as easy if i can drive down and get the other one, thanks

 

[BrooklynBay]

Maybe a combination of both kits might help? This is what the Transgo kit says: 4R44E, 5R55E shift kit. Prevents forward clutch failure, 2-3 cutloose, hard throttle 2-3 slip, 2nd and 4th band failure, 3-2 coast down shift clunk and no movement. Comes with complete, easy to follow instructions. EXPLORER, RANGER. This kit does not contain a pan gasket or valve body gaskets.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I see that this place has their own website in addition to selling parts on EBay: WWW.Optsales.Com

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

I read through Strockets post again and he also did the Superior kit but still has the flare. It just doesn't seem like there is one pinpointed fix for this problem.

Fatcat, I searched for Strocket's post, and only found one where he mentioned replacing steels and frictions, no mention of the Superior kit.....?

BTW, that's the Superior kit I used; it's now in a blister pack instead of a box.

Two things come to mind: Did Strocket do the Ford mod with the new separator plate and blow off valve?

And in the Superior kit instructions, they say to enlarge two holes in the 'new' separator plate. I wonder if Strocket did this?

 

[xFatcatx]

On page 3 of this forum in Strockets Thread "Glacier One More Question", post# 5 he said he did all steps of the superior kit, but i am not sure about the ford mod. Anyways i heard back from the ebay seller with the kit, he said he would ship it to me free since i am so close, so for $35 i think ill due the kit when i feel better.