PREDICTED THE BUST, FIXED, ON THE ROAD AGAIN!Check out my transmission pan! With pictures

[Supercharged281]

My question is if this is normal wear and tear on a used transmission I threw in a year and a half ago. While doing so I cleaned out the pan so this is all new material. Keep in mind I've been in four-wheel drive a few times been through one winter and have put about forty thousand miles on it.

I'm throwing code P0715 - Input/Turbine Speed Sensor A Circuit

The fluid was black when I drained the pan and disregarding the normal terrible smell it also had a burnt smell to it.

In the pictures it shows some copper material and what looks to be fine bits of metal (paste) around the magnet. I only need this transmission to last another winter. I know it's not in the best of shape but how long you think I got with it? Any quick opinions are helpful feel free to school me if you'd like.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Seems like an AWFUL amount of sediment for 40k.

 

[94Eddie]

My advice is to drive it like a 90 year old grandmother going to church and it might last through the winter. The 5R55 transmissions aren't all that reliable and yours looks like it could go down for the count any day.

 

[mountaineer2004]

Mine has always been reliable. Still going strong at 262k. Just lucky, I guess.

 

[drdoom]

Seems like an AWFUL amount of sediment for 40k.

I agree. The magnet sludge of course is "normal", but I kind of see bits of thrust washer in there...

 

[94Eddie]

Mine has always been reliable. Still going strong at 262k. Just lucky, I guess.

How often have you serviced it over the 262k miles?

 

[mountaineer2004]

Twice only. Once at 100k, and another time at 175k. That's the truth.
I always joke it must have been assembled on a Wednesday morning lol.
After the weekend hangovers, but before they started drinking for the next weekend.

 

[94Eddie]

Twice only. Once at 100k, and another time at 175k. That's the truth.
I always joke it must have been assembled on a Wednesday morning lol.
After the weekend hangovers, but before they started drinking for the next weekend.

It is definitely is a statistical outlier. Looks like you are due for a third service.

 

[mountaineer2004]

Thanks! Well, I've never towed. Also, my driving style makes most grandmas look like Mario Andretti.
Now, I'm really going to take a risk and just drive till the tranny craps out.

 

[94Eddie]

I am fairly certain that the only reason you have seen 262k miles from the original transmission is due to the two services you gave it. Another service is chump change compared to the cost to handle a failed transmission.

 

[mountaineer2004]

That's true, but at this point, I'm just going to ride it till it goes. It can't go much longer.
I've always kept the OD Off, except when it's on the highways. Maybe that helped.

 

[Josh P]

You might get 40k more miles out of it driving like grandma. I'd still drive it like I rented it then there would be a transmission replacement thread shortly after.

 

[sport trac jr.]

My advice is to drive it like a 90 year old grandmother going to church and it might last through the winter. The 5R55 transmissions aren't all that reliable and yours looks like it could go down for the count any day.

If you have to go out if town drive it.......or like Donald around town going to Sonic or Wallgreens buy a mule and tower the Explorer to location......as a comfort pet mule drive............. everyone will be scared to say anything to you and park where ever you want....pull over the curb and over landscaping......push carts .......trash cans......what ever....

 

[X-LION]

Not normal on the copper looking pieces of material but the magnet is normal with small dark material.

 

[Kiwi Sam]

Mine has always been reliable. Still going strong at 262k. Just lucky, I guess.

our 2004 4.6 Ltd has 360000kms (223 600miles ) on original trans and going strong....................................

 

[Supercharged281]

Tore it down, rebuilt a few times, replacing and upgrading valve body and pump. Trans fluid mod and stick wouldn't budge. Tore down again FINALLY one way plastic sprag was broke apart. Can't tell unless you unseat it and check. It's yellow and at the front of the trans. Everything must come out to get to it. Make sure it only moves one way when you reassemble. Tell you what I can take him apart put them together with my eyes closed with nothing but a jack to get it out now though.

 

[joney]

My question is if this is normal wear and tear on a used transmission I threw in a year and a half ago. While doing so I cleaned out the pan so this is all new material. Keep in mind I've been in four-wheel drive a few times been through one winter and have put about forty thousand miles on it.

I'm throwing code P0715 - Input/Turbine Speed Sensor A Circuit

The fluid was black when I drained the pan and disregarding the normal terrible smell it also had a burnt smell to it.

In the pictures it shows some copper material and what looks to be fine bits of metal (paste) around the magnet. I only need this transmission to last another winter. I know it's not in the best of shape but how long you think I got with it? Any quick opinions are helpful feel free to school me if you'd like.

View attachment 423132 View attachment 423133 View attachment 423134

40k in a year and a half - lots of highway driving? Thought that was easier on transmissions.

 

[Supercharged281]

40k in a year and a half - lots of highway driving? Thought that was easier on transmissions.

In retrospect I've been pretty lucky with the thing. Milage has tapered off due to gas prices. Was doing a lot of "Door-dash" deliveries. Not a problem since I've changed out the sprag.
The Transmissions aren't very complicated and pretty reliable with the right upgrades.

 

[94Eddie]

Mine has always been reliable. Still going strong at 262k. Just lucky, I guess.

You're either very lucky or did frequent fluid changes over the years.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

You're either very lucky or did frequent fluid changes over the years.

325k on OE 5r55e here. 30k fluid changes