Read alot now a few questions for those in the know. 5r55e

[Jorgen]

Lets start with a little quick back ground: 98 Explorer Sport, 189k miles, Unknown history prior to December 2005, no trans work since December 2005; I was driving my explorer home from a trip to Cincinnati to visit family for christmas when about 25 miles from home I started having some slipping and had to have excessivly high RPM's to get the thing to maintain speed, (OD light had been flashing on and off from about 2 hours from home and I didn't get a chance to get to checking anything and needed to get home) I finally get to a spot where I can get off the expressway and into a parking lot and the car at this point is barely moving under gas. I get it into the lot and my Fiance's parents come pick us up. The entire bottom side of the car is soaked and the back has some trans fluid spray on it, the trans when hot seems to be aout 1-2 qts. low. Towed home and then try again to move it today (after 4 days of sitting) pulls out of the garage fine with whirling sound and moves around some, then starts the same issues again.

Background done.


So my basic question's are: (with my assumption being it is shot)

1. Is there any way that rebuilding the VB and replacing the EPC (i think that is the correct name) and flush fluid that the transmission isn't completely toast? (don't know if it is worth putting $900 for a rebuilt trans into a 98 ex wth 189k)

2. How much time will it really take to pull and or put in this transmission? 3 hours to pull and 4 to install?

3. Any fixes at all that might make it last another 10k for a few hundred bucks without pulling the whole trans?

4. Anyone want to buy a 98 Explorer for $1,500 so I can buy something o replace it as my daily driver.


Sorry for the question (I know how pissy some people get about Newbies reading, searching and not asking questions on fastougar.org) as I am sure alot fo this information is on this forum but I haven't been able to find much in my past few days of reading info on this problem. I can if need be replace the transmission in my garage but I just got finished doing and Engine swap in my Cougar and don't want to start a huge project going into the winter. Thanks for any help.

 

[xplrsport01]

sound kind of like a torque converter

 

[Jorgen]

That is something I was leaning toward as well, since Once the fluid heats up a little it just doesn't lock up anymore and lets it just free spin. That would be alot cheaper, then I could just drop the trans, replace the TC, the VB and put it back in with fresh fluid.

 

[Glacier991]

This transmission NEEDS fresh fluid and a little tlc to last. The EPC is probably weak, and along with old fluid may have contributed to your issues. You clearly overheated the tranny and it boiled out some fluid. Large danger that in the process you glazed some frictions.... BUT..

You COULD FLUSH the tranny.... NEW Mercon V, no substitutes.... THEN, yes THEN.... drop the VB and replace the EPC and while you are there do the FORD mod.... (I'll stop short of a VB rebuild here at this time)... button it up, top off the fluid and pray.

You could also put your name on a list to be a guinea pig for this:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175065

Might save you some $$ in the above process.

Will all this fix your problem? maybe. Can I guarantee ANYTHING? Nope.

 

[Jorgen]

This transmission NEEDS fresh fluid and a little tlc to last. The EPC is probably gone, and along with old fluid may have contributed to your issues. You clearly overheated the tranny and it boiled out some fluid. Large danger that in the process you glazed some frictions.... BUT..

You COULD FLUSH the tranny.... NEW Mercon V, no substitutes.... THEN, yes THEN.... drop the VB and replace the EPC and while you are there do the FORD mod.... (I'll stop short of a VB rebuild here at this time)... button it up, top off the fluid and pray.

You could also put your name on a list to be a guinea pig for this:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175065

Might save you some $$.

Will all this fix your problem? maybe. Can I guarantee ANYTHING? Nope.

I read the VB Diary but didn't have how to remove it, it this puppy removeable by remoing the pan and the filter? as well as having access to the EPC without dropping the transmission.

 

[xplrsport01]

once u take the pan off u'll see the filter and behind that is the valve body but i'v done a couple on mine remember there is a torque spec on those would b inch lb's and what order to tighten them in i would look it up in a haynes manual as for your other ? i assume u can get to it with out drop the whole trans

 

[Glacier991]

The TC failure would (as a rule) throw a separate code. (Although a non locking TC WILL cause considerable heat and possible overflow as a result... so not a bad call all in all... and not IMPOSSIBLE, even without a code - and the codes do cover a range of gears). Yet, I am doubting this as a primary diagnosis.

The VB can be dropped by dropping the pan. The EPC can be replaced by dropping just the pan and removing a bracket.

 

[ff2024]

Yes, just drop the pan and the filter. then there are 23 bolts that hold the VB in place. The VB diary has the torque specs and order they should be torqued. As for the TC, sorry but you gotta drop the tranny for that one.

 

[gijoecam]

I wish I could afford the $1500 to off-load it for you, but I'm in the middle of planning a wedding.... I could certainly use a spare vehicle to pillage for parts for my daily driver.....

Good luck!

-Joe

 

[Jorgen]

I wish I could afford the $1500 to off-load it for you, but I'm in the middle of planning a wedding.... I could certainly use a spare vehicle to pillage for parts for my daily driver.....

Good luck!

-Joe

Come on, you know you want it, but actually that is part of the reason I wouldn't mind selling right now and buying something else, I am also planning a wedding right now.



Thanks for all the input and help guys.



Well I guess I am going to try a flush, there is a transmission shop at the end of my street so maybe I will push it over there tonight and have them flush it for me, then bring it back to the garage (pushing again) and drop the pan, drop the VB, do the EPC, the "FORD mod" (that is the for fix for their ****ty VB design right?) and look the VB over and see if a full rebuild is needed, then put it abck together and hope and pray it works and I can use it as a daily driver again for the rest of the winter.

Any other ideas? Anyone want to tell me that this is a stupid idea and a waste of money? Any encouraging stories from people in similiar positions that did something like this and got it work work for them without rebuilding the whole transmission?

 

[quasarsky]

see if they will let u do the work when they drop the pan for the flush, then they do the flush once your work is done. otherwise thats alot of quarts of tranny fluid.

 

[Jorgen]

I have done a little searching but couldn't find it, does ford have a part number for the EPC? and or that ford fix kit? I was tryign to find them on teamfordpart.com (pretty deep discounts on stuff there usually) and didn't come up with anything. Those two things, a filter and a pan gasket are the only things I need other than fluid. If the guy who looked at it tonight doesn't come back and want to buy it I think I will order these parts and see if I can get hr to drive again.