My 97 Explorer ControlTrac XLT 4WD Is leaking money. Need insight on transmission issue And options

[whiterabbit410]

Series of events

• Experiencing some slipping
• Get supplies to do a poor mans flush
• Find it’s actually very low on fluid
• Add fluid, problem improves for a bit
• Drive it, flush some, add some, etc, the first drain was horribly black and sparkly
• Drive it to and from work a few times , 16 miles a day or so, gets to where I have to add a couple quarts to get it to move but makes it to the destination.
• Problem gets so bad I can’t back out of my driveway, lo and behold it is empty again
• Figuring I had not reconnected the line I used to drain it properly, I get down and adjust that
• After backing halfway down the driveway to test after adding 5 quarts, I find profuse leaking
• An entire line seems to be completely missing or detached and I’m not sure where it should connect to

Is my clutch likely bad now? Or would it stand to reason that, the clutch wasn’t the problem , the huge leak and lack of fluid was, and while it certainly was bad to run it low, it did shift fine last time I got it home, that it I fix the leak the clutch may still have a few miles left ?

It made it from Florida to Oregon and I’m really hoping to stretch it a bit longer 237k miles.

 

[C420sailor]

Black and sparkly…your bands and/or clutches are probably burnt to ****.

Nothing will kill a trans faster than running it with low/no fluid.

Low fluid causes low pressures which results in slipping which creates heat which burns the frictions which results in more slipping.

You can try fixing your leaks and refilling with fluid minus a quart or two and dump in something like Lucas Trans Fix. That thickens the fluid and can help boost your pressures some. May get a few more miles out of it. May.

Reality though? That trans is likely shot to ****.

 

[whiterabbit410]

Black and sparkly…your bands and/or clutches are probably burnt to ****.

Nothing will kill a trans faster than running it with low/no fluid.

Low fluid causes low pressures which results in slipping which creates heat which burns the frictions which results in more slipping.

You can try fixing your leaks and refilling with fluid minus a quart or two and dump in something like Lucas Trans Fix. That thickens the fluid and can help boost your pressures some. May get a few more miles out of it. May.

Reality though? That trans is likely shot to ****.

that is unfortunate. i did run it with some of that and it did help until obviously it drained out.
so what are my options? is this thing worth keeping? to save up 3k for a used car or 3k for a transmission?

 

[Mbrooks420]

Depends on the rest of the truck. OHV?

 

[whiterabbit410]

Depends on the rest of the truck. OHV?

i think the engine and truck are solid...if i can get a better transmission in it to last, i wouldn't mind swapping an engine when that time comes too...but then again, I'm 26 and very poor....i'm taking the bus for long enough to consider my options anyway...i could sell the tires and scrap it for about 550 altogether....but I do love this thing

 

[C420sailor]

I wouldn’t pay to have a shop rebuild it. Not worth it unless the rest of the truck is cherry. At that mileage, doubtful.

You could try a junkyard trans, but that’s a gamble. And you’d have to do the swap yourself.

If you can remove and reinstall yourself, you may find a good shop that will do a ‘carry out’ rebuild for you.

 

[whiterabbit410]

If I was really stubborn and arrogant, and dropping 3k on a replacement car - with unfamiliar problems - is as much of a gamble as spending 3k more on this truck - with familiar problems - i wonder if purchasing this would be worth it ? and paying a professional to install it?

Transmission for 1997 Ford Explorer 4.0L

5-Speed Automatic Transmission for 4.0L 1997 Ford Explorer Remanufactured, and rebuilt Transmissions available. Call Now (888) 242-2605!

reman-transmission.com

 

[EB4X]

So you have the SOHC 4.0.... junk this Explorer and start over....you're going to have failing timing chain guides/ cassettes any time soon with being at 237K.

(Rebuilt 1997 Ford Explorer automatic Transmission​

Options:AT, 6-245 (4.0L), SOHC)

 

[C420sailor]

You still have to R&R it or pay someone. In that case, pull your current one and bring it to a local shop and they’ll rebuild it for far less. Plus you’ll have a local person to call/see if they screw it up.

 

[whiterabbit410]

well, i know for %200 i won't find anyone trustworthy to do the work well, nobody who will want it fixed as bad as i do.
so, i guess she has finally ford exploded, and i should be scrapping it - and yes, in my life, with my luck, i will pay thousands to get a reman trans put in, only for the engine to bust and for some horrible medical emergency to happen to me that day. i guess the safest bet is to liquify it and hope i can get a few hundred hours a week until march.

 

[94Eddie]

Ford vehicles with the 4.0L SOHC and 5R55 transmission put many owners in the position you are in now. If you are 26, poor and taking the bus then a 237k mile '97 Explorer with a dead 5R55 transmission with a very likely soon to be dead 4.0L SOHC engine is the last vehicle you should own. Trying to keep it on the road will only make you poorer and riding the bus even more. There are plenty of good inexpensive, dependable cars available but they are older, ugly and boring. Three grand is more than enough to buy one. Buy a car that isn't going to keep digging the hole you are in deeper. An older Taurus can be a great vehicle. As can a Crown Vic, older GM models with the 3800 V6s, older Toyotas/Hondas etc. Educate yourself on how to vet specific vehicles to check them out before you buy one. Research on YouTube whether a vehicle you are considering is reliable and how to check them out before making a purchase. Crawl under it, in it and over it and look for existing problems etc.

I am not trying to come off as harsh. Keeping a 237k mile '97 Exlorer on the road that has a dead transmission and an engine that is likely living on borrowed time is just not a problem you should be worrying over in your current financial position. Sell this one and put the proceeds toward a vehicle that you have to worry about far less. Then work on how you get yourself out of being poor. I always recommend people looking to earn a good living concider one of the trades for a career.

 

[donalds]

I'd move on
This could snowball fast
I know
I replaced both lmao

 

[Mbrooks420]

If you’re dead set on an explorer find a second gen V8. Being poor, though, I’d forget about the Explorer altogether. They are inefficient, costly pigs to run.

 

[410Fortune]

First off are we sure this is a sohc? 97 control trac can be ohv as well

Looks like the fluid has been puking out of the vent tube, not good!

I would only consider saving this truck if it’s a ohv 4.0 or the sohc engine has been replaced previously

 

[EB4X]

/\ The link OP posted is for a SOHC trans... unless he just typed in "Explorer 4.0" and came to this link.... Poster....which 4.0 do you have?

 

[EB4X]

The Chevy Cavaliers have very long lasting engines (GM 2.2).....300K and upward...here's one in your area that suddently wont start...maybe something cheap and simple like a bad crank or cam sensor....for $500 you could have mint looking reliable economy car ..only 152K on it..... contact them and ask if CEL is on....and if they got any codes and ask if you could pop in a part while on their property.... I don't know...just throwing out there....

2002 Chevy Cavalier 152k - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...

Hello there, This is a well taken care of car with regular oil changes, good tires and brakes. Was a great running car, then it just stopped running. It will crank and sound like it wants to start,...

portland.craigslist.org

READ THESE REVIEWS:

Used 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Consumer Reviews - 156 Car Reviews | Edmunds

View all 156 consumer vehicle reviews for the Used 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier on Edmunds, or submit your own review of the 2002 Cavalier.

www.edmunds.com

 

[C420sailor]

you can’t go wrong with a low-ish mileage early 2000s Japanese car. Just no CVT. My sister has an 01 Toyota Camry, very reliable. When I lived in Japan, I had an 01 Honda Civic hatchback. It was so reliable it was almost boring.

 

[EB4X]

/\ Those wont sell cheap...and you're among us die-hard patriots here.... import is a cuss word.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Import is only a curse word if you’re afraid to compete with them.

 

[94Eddie]

The Chevy Cavaliers have very long lasting engines (GM 2.2).....300K and upward...here's one in your area that suddently wont start...maybe something cheap and simple like a bad crank or cam sensor....for $500 you could have mint looking reliable economy car ..only 152K on it..... contact them and ask if CEL is on....and if they got any codes and ask if you could pop in a part while on their property.... I don't know...just throwing out there....

Any decent non-turbo four cylinder with a manual transmission that is in decent shape, has no fluid leaks and runs well is a good bet, IMO.