My username says it all---5R55E, repair or replace?

[BigTrannyProblem]

OK, my first stop was the welcome center. I have read the FAQs and the Stickies on both this and the welcome forum. Lots of good info.

So here I am with a tranny problem. In this particular case, I am probably going to buy a rebuilt tranny and install it, but I would like opinions on this and the good and bad of that.

1998 5R55E with 130K miles

Unknown service history on tranny

When I bought it, fluid was pink as if it had recently been flushed


Symptoms:

Wife was driving it when CEL came on, also the overdrive light was flashing off and on. She drove it about an additional 5 miles after this started.:fire:

When I arrived on site (about 2 miles from our house) it had a little time to cool. I checked the fluid level and it was low. I smelled the fluid and it smelled OK also.

I got in it and managed to drive it about 1/2 mile up a hill before it started to die again. It was basically having to redline just to keep up momentum.

Sat there, let it cool about 15 min and managed to limp it home, still with it slipping all along the way and getting progressively worse as I got to our steep driveway. Waited another 15 min and made it up the driveway.

Filled fluid up to the proper level (after waiting about an hour to let it cool a bit). Went to drive it and same thing. Went a few tenths of a mile and then slipping and more slipping until stop. Manual shift to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, drive, or reverse made no difference.

Again waited for it to cool and then took it up the driveway. Looked at the underneath and it was coated with blood.

Rinsed that off and parked it in the garage and put a piece of old carpet under it. No leaks since then.

I guess it was leaking from a vent pipe???



Anyway, seeing as to how the mileage is high on this and how it has an exceptionally clean interior/exterior I was thinking of just buying a rebuilt unit and installing that (or having it installed.)

Can you tranny experts here let me know what your thoughts are on that? The snow is about to fly and we will need this on the road soon. The engine is really strong and clean. I have no doubts a rebuilt would be a great investment. The only doubts of mine are is this overkill? Could I get away with just a VB?

I don't have a code scanner. I do have tools. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Please keep in mind this will be transporting 2 infants regularly.



Thanks!!!

-Bill in Pittsburgh, PA

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! From what you are describing, it sounds like you have low hydraulic pressure. This could be from a failing EPC solenoid, bad VB gaskets, or loose VB bolts. Without assuming what the problems might be, I would suggest that you have the codes read first. AutoZone could read them for free. I would not waste money on an entire transmission without doing a diagnosis first. A transmission pressure gauge would be helpful in this case to check your pressure. Check this thread for more information: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117998

 

[ExploringNC]

I had the same problem with my 5R55E on my '98 SOHC. I didn't go threw the trouble of troubleshooting any pressure or solinoid problems after checking my fluid I new it was toast. I bought a 5R55E from a '97 OHV off e-bay for $200, spent two evenings to install and now I'm a happy camper. If you have the money to get a rebuilt then that would be the way to go but if not then I would spend the time to find a used one.

 

[BigTrannyProblem]

Thanks a lot for the opinions so far. Here is the financial situation if you are interested: I can afford the rebuilt tranny (around $900 shipped w/warranty). I cannot afford the labor for an install. So, it would be something me and a ASE cert friend would be doing. Was thinking of just going the VB route, but unsure right now. Any more thoughts?

 

[NHale623]

If it were my truck, before I decided to fix/remove/replace anything I'd follow BrooklynBay's advice and get my hands on a pressure gauge and see what it says. I'd also get my hands on a good scanner and see what codes I could find.

Rebuilding the valve body should be something that you and your buddy could do easily. For that matter, so should removing and replacing the transmission. It is a whole lot more work though.

 

[Stic-o]

Buy a new one! Mine went out at 114k. The service advisor at Ford said I could have it rebuilt, or for about 500-600 more get a new one. He said if I rebuilt it, I'd be back in a year. I bought a new one. I finaced it and still paying for it. However no problems after about 30k on it. She goes into the Ford dealer for a trans flush next week...(This is going to be funny ) I've heard and seen many trucks on here have a problem after they had the trans rebuilt. It's just not worth it in my opinion. Mine was $2700

 

[pj8847]

rebuilding the VB is one way to go, but since the tranny already puked out of the vent after overheating (from all the slipping) I'd bet the life of the frictions is just about up. The pump may be the culprit as well. (definitely get a pressure gauge on it before doing anything else)

I just did the VB in my truck due to a 2-3 shift flare and low pressure, but the damage was already done. The low pressure causing the slip from 2-3 wiped out the frictions in the direct clutch in less than a day (maybe 2), leaving me with a new VB, no 3rd and no reverse.

your slipping in all gears, and expelling TF out the vent, I'd get the whole unit redone. No sense in taking a chance just to have a complete failure soon after.

*edit* I'd also try and find a local rebuilder, having it shipped to you is a risk, since you have to install it, and if it has problems, would have to take it back out and ship it back.
Most local places will do a rebuild for the same price, if not a little cheaper, since your putting it in yourself. $700 to $900 is all you should have to pay if you just want the tranny (no labor for removing and installing, that's where the bulk of the cost is)

 

[BigTrannyProblem]

Thanks for all of your opinions. I am looking into purchasing a scan tool (for this and future use.) I am looking into the following options:

http://www.canobd2.com/tool/3110.asp

http://www.auterraweb.com/dyforwiusb.html

or

http://www.autoenginuity.com/


I want to keep it for future use, so please let me know an opinion on all 3. I have a notebook computer, so for the 2 that are software based it will be no problem.

Thanks again!!!

-Bill

 

[pj8847]

All 3 are fine and would serve their purpose.

For portability, the one in the first link is good.

If you don't mind lugging around your laptop, then I'd go for the one in the third link you provided.