Question for guys with auto problem

[Adam Berger]

I have been reading a past thread relating to auto gearbox problems with slipping and no engine braking and the fix involving replacing gaskets. I would like to ask those who have had this problem whether what I am about to describe seems like the same problem, here goes:

I did a service on my Ex at 100,000km (60,000miles), part of this included changing the tranny fluid on my 5 speed auto. I dropped the pan, replaced the filter and filled it back up with new Penrite synthetic ATF. When I started it and put it into drive, it slipped like hell until the new fluid circulated around. After this it continued to slip, so I checked the fluid level and put more in. I then took the car for a long drive to my dad's house. When I got there I checked the level and topped it up as it had dropped.

The next day, I reversed out of my driveway, and it slipped after putting it into drive and it sat there for about 5-10 seconds with the revs climbing until it finally took off. This has been happening for weeks, meanwhile constantly checking the fluid level. I left it incase there was any air trapped in the gearbox. It still hasn't gone away.

Today I took the car for a drive after putting a fraction more fluid in (the auto shop suggested to put a little bit more in) and it did the slip thing as normal. Mind you, the fluid level is now over full so it can't be low. After my long drive today, I pulled into town off the freeway and the gearbox just started slipping while doing 60km/h (37mph). The tacho started climbing and dropping on its own without me altering the pedal and it would keep on doing. It is almost like it is shifting in and out of a lower gear.

After I left town this evening and accelerated to freeway speed, it slipped like hell again and had no power at all. After I got home, I checked the fluid which was still overfull and I jumped on this site and did a search where I found that a broken gasket can cause slipping. The gearbox was absolutely perfect before the oil change. I wonder if by changing the fluid, it cleaned out the gearbox of gunk and opened gaps in the gaskets and by now having too much fluid has caused the gasket to blow out today? I've heard that too much oil causes high oil pressure in the gearbox.

I am keen on replacing the gaskets mentioned in a previous post but would like to get other peoples opinions first.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Adam, there's three things that typically go wrong with the 5R55E. The first is loose bolts holding the valve body. Second is a torn/blown gasket that seals the separator plate. The third is a cracked shift solenoid mount.

I would drop the pan again, and inspect the bolts, gasket, and solenoid mount. I suspect you have a cracked solenoid mount causing the slipping, but there's no way to tell without taking a look.....

 

[BensBud]

Adam,

I would not have guessed you could get an Ex in the land of Oz! My father grew up in Melbourne, my mother in Perth and I have a brother currently living in Sydney. All of my non-immediate family are down-under.

Was the transmission showing any signs of trouble before the change (100km service)? Were you running synthetic before the change too? I know your weather has been relatively cool with one or two hot days recently, have the symptoms changed at all with the wild temperature shifts?

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Adam, I didn't mention the obvious. First check the filter O-rings; maybe they slipped during the installation, or one has broken. This would allow air to be sucked in, and certainly cause slipping!

My sister and her husband vacationed in Austrailia two years ago. They loved it! They talk about moving there. I hear the immigration laws are pretty strict, though.....

 

[Adam Berger]

To answer BensBud's questions, the gearbox was absolutely perfect before, or so it seemed. I didn't have what you would call extreme engine braking and it had what ever oil the factory puts in it. To Runnin'OnEmpty, what can be done if the solenoid mount is cracked? Can you damage anything by removing the valve body? What are these O rings you are talking about? I never saw any O rings when I changed the filter. The symptoms don't change with the weather but it generally only happens when the car is cold ie. left overnight. But as I wrote earlier, it just got worse yesterday by doing it while driving where as for the last few weeks, it only did it on start up.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Adam, since you didn't see any O-rings and the slipping started immediately after the filter/fluid change, I'll bet that's the trouble. There are 2 O-rings, (about 1" and 3/4" in diameter), that fit over the tube openings on each end of the filter. The old O-rings should have come out with the old filter. They must be re-installed on the new filter, or new ones installed.

If these O-rings aren't installed, air will be drawn into the system, and the transmission will slip badly.

The other repairs can be done with the pan off, but I'm sure the missing O-rings are your problem. I would look into this very soon......

 

[Opera House]

I'd go with the O rings too

If you threw out the old filter you can probably get them in an O ring kit at a hardware store. When you drop the pan tighten all the bolts on the valve body and the four on the reverse servo. These tighten to 8-9 ft-lb which is just a good hand twist. Guarantee they will be loose. This transmission has some areas where the bolt spacing got a little wide. This causes the gaskets to blow out when the gaskets shrink with age. Do this and you will be trouble free for a long time. Droppy the valve body is a little tricky without a manual. Never tip one over because things will fall out. Not hard but a problem if you don't have something that tells you where they go.

 

[Adam Berger]

Well I dropped the pan today and pulled off the filter and what do you know, no O rings! But of course I already knew that cause I never put any on and never noticed them on the old filter. Not to worry, I went to Ford and got some and while I was there, I got all the gaskets for the valve body. I thought I might aswell take a look and change them anyway. That way I should never have a problem. As it turns out, the gaskets were all intact. I think the worst part is the cost of new transmission fluid as I didn't want to use the old (fairly new though) fluid as it dripped all over everything and collected dirt on the way. Thanks for all your help guys, you've been a great help. Hopefully I can help you guys out one day.

 

[Adam Berger]

I thought i'd add something. I still can't explain why it slipped yesterday while driving as it had never done that during my trouble period. I guess i'll have to wait until Monday to find out as I had to order one gasket. Luckily i'm still on holidays!

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Glad you got it fixed, Adam. Lots of times it's something simple that's easily overlooked. The slipping was probably caused by air bubbles getting into the transmission pump where the O-rings went. Maybe the fluid went to one side of the pan when turning a corner, or to the rear when accellerating, allowing air to enter the pump. The air would then cause the fluid to foam and reduce the line pressure, causing slippage.

Enjoy the remainder of your Holidays.
G'day, Mate!

 

[Adam Berger]

I have a theory on why it got worse two days ago. I changed my upper ball joints and while I was at it I thought I would raise the front a bit cause it looked like it had sagged. So by doing this, it basically leveled out the car where as before it at a lean. I think that while it had a lean, it was easier for the fluid to be picked up and when I leveled the suspension, the fluid would of course level out dopping the fluid level at one end. What do you think?

Do you guys think that "g'day mate" is all that we aussies say? I must admit, I do say it though!

Thanks again.

 

[BensBud]

Originally posted by Adam Berger
Do you guys think that "g'day mate" is all that we aussies say? I must admit, I do say it though!

Naice! ...good on ya for figuring it out!

Have you added the o-rings yet? Just wondering if we're still speculating, or if it's actually been confirmed that the missing rings were the cause and it's been fixed.

 

[Adam Berger]

It's beginning to look like o-rings were the cause. I can't confirm until Monday as I am waiting on a gasket. I am changing the gaskets to be sure the other problem wont happen (broken gasket).

 

[Adam Berger]

Well guys, to all that were following this thread, it did turn out to be the o-rings. I ended up changing the gaskets as a precautionary measure. The gearbox is as good as new and has excellent engine braking. Thanks for everyone's help.