I need some advice in regard to changing the Valve Body gasket in my Explorer

[A.J.C.]

I recently bought a 2000 Explorer Limited with the 4.0 SOHC and 5r55e transmission. My research tells me I may have a blown valve body gasket but I want your second opinion before I tear into it.

Here are my symptoms. The transmission shifts great but never shifts into over drive. It shifts 3 main times I can tell (1-3) and then if I keep the throttle steady at 40, it seems like the torque converter locks up and the rpms drop 200-300. If I continue to accelerate 55 and maintain that speed, the rpms stay at around 3000. Reverse works well. I have no engine braking if I select "1" with the gear selector.

Does this sound like a bad valve body gasket? I purchased an upper and lower valve body gaskets with the rear servo gasket. Its three pieces. I

I also purchased a new Ford OEM EPC solenoid.

If I have blown gasket, will these parts fix the issues I have described or do I need additional parts?

I also read that I need a new separator plate as well. Was that included in the three piece gasket kit or is that something entirely separate?

I bought this kit off ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/261198646115?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Thanks for any help in advance!

 

[A.J.C.]

I have decided not to just throw parts at it. I'm going to take it to the transmission shop on Thursday. I will let you guys know the results.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Ford sells a revised separator plate for these models
that has bonded gaskets on the top and bottom. This
is to help prevent the commonplace blown gaskets.
They're inexpensive, under $30 I think.

Installing a new EPC solenoid is a good idea, while the
trans pan is off. These seem to get lots of wear.

I have no idea why it dosen't shift into OD, unless the
OD solenoid is bad...?

Be sure and post what the trans shop finds. Good luck.

 

[1992fordgreen]

The OD band could be broken, but I guess we'll see! Best of luck!

 

[A.J.C.]

Every once in a while it will shift into over drive. Most of the time, not. Its a strange issue since the transmission seems to shift well and reverse works. I have no slipping.

I'll be sure to let you guys know what the mechanic says.

 

[Kiliona]

On some GM's a really common issue is that the overdrive gear has it's own spllined shaft and the splines will get rounded off and the shaft needs replaced. With overdrive being the main thing being affected maybe it's a similar issue to this? idk exactly how you're transmission works.

Another way to tell if it's a physical problem and not electrical is to hook up a scan tool and data stream. There should be a commanded gear and output speed option to datastream. If the commanded gear is OD but the output is moving the same speed as the input you know it's really in 3rd and theres a tranny issue not an electrical issue of the PCM not telling it to shift.

An easy way to tell if OD really is working or not is to get on the highway then put it in third, if the rpm's go up, you just went from OD to third so your OD was working.

Good bet taking it to a tranny shop, these auto tranny's are very complicated. Just putting one check ball in wrong, or running a magnet too close to one, or getting a bit of dirt in the valve body, could cause major issues.

Some tranny shops won't let you pull the tranny yourself then take it in, they require that they test drive it in case it isn't an electrical issue.

 

[A.J.C.]

I just heard from the trans shop. They said it was throwing four fault codes which they didn't tell me which specific ones. Hopefully when I pick it up, they will tell me.

They said it was shifting 1-3 no problem but overdrive wasn't engaging all the time. (Already knew this)

They said it could be toque converter or internal damage. They would not know for sure until they pulled it and tore into it which they recommended a full rebuild.

If I have reverse and 1-3 I think it is electrical and not internal. I'm going to take it to a different shop tomorrow for a second opinion.

What do you all think?

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Knowing what the fault codes were would tell a lot.
Many times when you have several codes show up,
they will all disappear after the main problem is
solved.

The fact that it shifts into OD sometimes, indicates
perhaps a sticking OD solenoid. That might be
compounded with low pressure from a blown
separator plate gasket...?

Virtually all trans shops will recommend a full rebuild,
and if the trans has a lot of miles on it, that might
be the way to go. See if you can get the codes and that
will tell us more...

 

[A.J.C.]

I understand with the amount of miles I have on the Explorer (180,000), a rebuild it not a bad recommendation but I don't want to do it unless its necessary. I dropped it off at a friends transmission shop today for a second opinion. If he says it needs to be rebuilt, I have a lead on a rebuilt one already. We will see.

 

[A.J.C.]

I just heard from the transmission shop. He said the valve body gasket is blown.

The codes the transmission is throwing is
P0731 Incorrect 1st gear ratio
P0733 Incorrect 3rd gear ratio
P0734 Incorrect 4th gear ration,
and something with the idle air control valve over rev

He is going to replace the valve body gasket but said he could not guarantee it would fix the problem. I figured I would gamble the $175 for them to replace the gasket.

Should I mention to them about a possible sticking OD solenoid?

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Yes, I would mention the intermittant OD and have
them replace the EPC solenoid too since you already
have it.

OD solenoids aren't that expensive, IIRC, so it might
be worthwhile to replace it while the pan's off.

 

[A.J.C.]

The changed the vb gasket and epc but didn't mess with the intermediate and od solenoids. Still no engine braking or od. Frustrating.

I'm not sure where to go from here

 

[alohamonte]

Is it throwing the same codes now?

Did they test the other solenoids?

 

[A.J.C.]

The transmission shop said he couldn't get it to throw any codes after they performed the work. I picked it up and put a new transmission in it. Its working now.

I appreciate all the help guys! I wish it had a cheaper out come but I didn't think it was worth putting anymore money into the original transmission.

 

[Robman]

This is the reason many good explorers get scrapped, the 5r55e is a troublesome transmission. I had this same issue before, I'm thinking the best thing to do is to get a new trans/torque converter installed and be good for hopefully another 5 years. I dislike the 5r55e enough that I bought a manual trans explorer. I've been through all that VB gasket and solenoid hodgepodge and I wish you luck with yours!