Just bought a 03 XLT! Need Help!

[mjo20]

I just bought a 03 XLT with 105k on it. Took it to a shop beforhand to check it out and they told me there was a little oil coming from the rear main seal and it should be changed. I got the guy to take the price of the repair off how much he was asking, as the shop said this is a common problem that they fix all the time.

My question is I don't have any service records for the car, so is there anything I should do right away? Should I take it in for the 100k service? Should I get a transmission flush at the dealership? Do I need to fix the rear seal ASAP? Any help on what to do now to make this thing last would be great!

Thanks

 

[Exproblems]

>>>>>>>>>

I just bought a 03 XLT with 105k on it. Took it to a shop beforhand to check it out and they told me there was a little oil coming from the rear main seal and it should be changed. I got the guy to take the price of the repair off how much he was asking, as the shop said this is a common problem that they fix all the time.>>>>>>>>>>>>

Mjo20,
Just curious here, what was the price $$$$ quote the repair shop gave you to repair the rear main oil seal on your 2003 Explorer? I'm not positive on this, but I'd imagine the transmission would have to be disconnected from the fly wheel/engine and moved a few feet backwards for room to work on the oil seal or totally removed from the vehicle.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>My question is I don't have any service records for the car, so is there anything I should do right away? Should I take it in for the 100k service? Should I get a transmission flush at the dealership? Do I need to fix the rear seal ASAP? Any help on what to do now to make this thing last would be great!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I just bought a 2005 Explorer 4.0l with 82,500 miles on it back in January. MY rule of thumb for any high mileage vehicle I buy is update any normal wear and tear parts you can afford do at that particular time. I purchased a 3 year warranty with my vehicle, but I've already sunk some out of pocket money on changing the plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter, fuel injection cleaning, rear diff gear oil and front and rear brake pads, greased front and rear brake caliper pins and oil and filter change. I also checked and topped off the front axle housing with gear oil and made sure the transfer case is full as well. I will be changing the radiator coolant soon and most likely the thermostat and possibly some of the hoses. Once you check or replace some of these things, you pretty much know where you stand with the vehicle. You should also lubricate anything that needs lubricating and use anti-seize compound on any nut and bolt you take apart where that product can safely be used. The transmission flush you mentioned is not a bad idea, just make sure they change the transmission filter as well. Where I live in Western, NY, the partial transmission flush (pan and filter only) service usually runs around $75-$100 and a complete transmission flush (pan and filter plus Torque Converter) included, usually runs around $139-$169. Good luck with your new vehicle.

 

[biggrizz76]

I would change all fluids (tranny, radiator, oil, powersteering, differentials), filters (Fuel filters, cabin filter, air filter), and brakes...a little spendy but, the comfort it brings is worth it. Some shops have package deals if you are doing more than 1 service.

 

[mjo20]

Thank you for the replies. To answer your question on what I was quoted, Ford told me if would be like 800+ My mechanic that I have used forever said its like an 8 hour job because yes you have to take down the Tranny. The part itself is cheap, so its really the cost of how much your shop charges per hour. Mine charges $65 an hour so it would be around $550 with part installed.

The big question I have is did you guys do all these fluid changes at a dealership or did you go to a Pep boys, Midas, local mechanice, etc..? From what I have read about these cars and their transmissions I feel like I should take no chances and do the flush at the dealer, but in terms of all the other services I could do at one of those other shops.

 

[biggrizz76]

I did all mine @ Midas...you need to look for a local franchise with a national warranty... the cost is less that 1/2 the price of the dealer--using the same exact equipment/fluids/etc... so you might save yourself some money going with your monkey...since he is there already for the tranny flush...might as well do it right. You could call around since most shops use estimating software to quote jobs...and you can keep your head on a swivel for a coupon. and that could easily knock off another $100

 

[Exproblems]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Thank you for the replies. To answer your question on what I was quoted, Ford told me if would be like 800+ My mechanic that I have used forever said its like an 8 hour job because yes you have to take down the Tranny. The part itself is cheap, so its really the cost of how much your shop charges per hour. Mine charges $65 an hour so it would be around $550 with part installed.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

8 hours to R&R this transmission is about right because I recently spoke to a rep at AAmco Transmission, he said the tranny on my Explorer would take 10 hours labor to remove, "clean/rebuild/overhaul"" and replace if I needed a rebuilt transmission. AAmco here charges $85 a hour labor.

>>>>>>>>>>>The big question I have is did you guys do all these fluid changes at a dealership or did you go to a Pep boys, Midas, local mechanice, etc..? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I did some of my fluid changes myself and some done at local shops. The transmission you have can only be serviced by a specialized shop that has the specific fluid changing machine (can't remember the name of it) designed for that type of transmission. As you have probably noticed, there is no dipstick for your tranny and you have to take it to a shop to have even the fluid level checked. I know for a fact AAmco Transmssions has the correct machine for your type of transmission. What ever shop you decide to go to, make sure the tranmission fluid changing machine they have can also flush out the Torque Converter and tranny cooler lines during this procedure as well as the tranny pan. Some places just have a machine that can only flush out the tranny pan, but not the Torque Converter. Personally, I would avoid Nationally named shops like "Midas or Monroe", they tend to try and sell you everything under the kitchen sink, when all you went in there for was a simple brake job.

>>>>>>>>>>>>From what I have read about these cars and their transmissions I feel like I should take no chances and do the flush at the dealer, but in terms of all the other services I could do at one of those other shops.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I would call and get the price first from the dealer then call a reputable transmission shop and compare the price. Dealers tend to be higher in price because their labor rates are nuts $$$$$. Ford dealers here are getting over $100 per hour labor where some transmission shops are approx. $70-$85 per hour. Figure around an hour labor on the transmission flush and filter change plus the cost of approx 12+ quarts of transmission fluid. They usually charge it as a package price and you can probably find a discount coupon for this type of service in your town or city's phone book coupon section under the Auto repair section. You can get the other fluid changes done at one of those quick oil change places and they do have package deals for multiple services that are combined. I was quoted by one of these oil change places here that just to do the radiator flush and fill alone it would be $109.00 +tax and they wanted at least $59.00 + tax to change the fuel filter. They told me if it is rusted on to the fuel lines, the longer it may take to do and the more it will cost. You can buy a new fuel filter yourself for about $10-12 bucks, but installing it yourself could be messy and a pain. I had a young kid in the neighborhood do mine, he has a lift in his garage and only charged me $15 to put it in. BTW, have your serpentine belt checked as well, might need to be changed, they cost approx $27-$35 depending on maker of it..