Looking at a 1995 Explorer 4wd 4.0V6, what should I check

[bills]

What do you all think of changing out the tranny fluid and seeing if that helps?

 

[joemamaugly]

i would do a tune up first. my truck was a little hard to get into first after i replaced the clutch but after i did my tune up it shifts like new. as far as the transmission i would take it to the shop and have them do a a transmission service (drop the pan and do the filter) in addition i would service the transfer case.

 

[briwayjones]

Seems to be running great, the transmission is tough to get in 1st sometimes.

That's typical with Explorer 5 speeds.

 

[bills]

I replaced the tranny fluid today with castrol part syth mercon 5 oil.

The oil that came out was BLACK! Not much iron stuff on the magnet.

I could only get a little under 3 quarts to go back in, should I try to get more in there?

Seems to be shifting slightly better now.

 

[Cali' Explorer]

Well, I looked it up in my haynes manual. According to it, depending on if you have the Mazda or Mitsubishi Transmission depends on how much fluid you need. If you have the Mazda, it should be 2.8 Quarts. If you have the Mitsubishi, it should be 2.4 quarts.

You may want to confirm which transmission you have as too much fluid can cause you many troubles down the road.

 

[LarryE]

Mileage

I have a 98 sport with 168000 miles. Still going strong.
Change the oil EVERY 3000 miles.
Replaced the clutch at 130000, however most of my miles are highway.
Replaced the brakes at 160000.

 

[bills]

125K miles. Seems to have helped some, perhaps Im just not used to this car, but i've driven many manual trans cars.

 

[YJEric]

Sticky shifting

My 91 5 speed is a little sticky shifting, but I think it's more the way the linkage was designed. My friend has a 92 and when he converted to a short throw it helped alot.

 

[bills]

It takes some time for it to go into first.

When the engine is off, it seems to go right in and through all the gears.

When I've been driving, I've been avoiding forcing it into gear cause Im affraid of breaking the syncros.

It usually takes some coxing to get it in gear, like just holding the clutch and waiting, letting it roll a little bit, or blipping the throttle or a combination of those 3 things.

Im beginning to think it may be the slave cylinder or somthing with the tranny. The thing is that it does slip in any gears, I've tried it in the higher gears and the clutch holds really well.

Problem is I have a number of long trips I need to take this summer. Im sure once I get it into gear it will be fine, but is there anything that I could be hurting by running like this?

Im still going to try to do a tune as a member had suggested previously.

 

[bills]

I took the x up a fairly steep incline and had it in 4wd low which was no problem going up. But when I got to the top of the hill and turned around to go back down, It wouldn't go into any gear while in 4wd low. I wanted to put it in gear to engine brake on the way down. I turned the engine off, it went right into gear, turned it back on and went down the hill. I turned the 4wdl off and it went back to normal. Normal as in you put the clutch in and wait a couple of seconds and it goes into gear when it wants to. Usually under 20-30 seconds. Anyone know what this means? Im still pointing to the salve cylinder.

Should I try to bleed it? Is that possible to do with the tranny in the car still? I can tell the clutch is still in good condition, because it will not slip. Or should I just not worry about it?

 

[Cali' Explorer]

Sounds to me like synchro's going out. It could be the clutch as well... but if it were the clutch, it would do it in every gear all the time, not just 1st.

 

[bills]

any clue on how long it will last?

 

[Cali' Explorer]

That's a question for the transmission shop IMHO. Most places have a free diagnostic service where they will check out your transmission and tell you what's wrong with it and how much it will cost. This should be your first step.

 

[bills]

Im more of a DIY kinda guy. Im thinking about that though, only problem is Im moving to California at the end of next month. Hope the truck will make it !

 

[Cali' Explorer]

I understand being a DIYer, but, what does it hurt to take it to a transmission shop for free to have them do some diagnostic work. Just because they look at it for free doesn't mean you can't do it yourself. That's my logic when time's an issue, let a pro do the leg work, haha.