Tranmission issue

[05explorerXLT]

I have a 2005 Explorer 4.0 XLT with 85K miles on it. My symptoms are a one second lag when putting it in reverse or drive before it engages in gear. Also, when at a stop light and you go to take off there is a slight slip feeling before it bangs into first gear and the other gears have this issue as well when it is up-shifting. Would a fluid/filter change help with this issue?

EDIT: I wanted add that I have no visible codes telling me anything is wrong.

 

[DAT05EXPLODER]

fluid and filter change may help as it did my 05, but also you may want to look into the servo fix. have you gone to autozone to check for codes? the CEL does not have to be on to have tranny codes.

 

[Ted22]

Mine is doing same at 77k... I'll be following!

 

[tmaher]

http://www.fordservoboretransmissionfixsolution.com/

 

[Ted22]

$200 is tempting for a fix! I do have pretty bad luck guessing on components... Is there anything else that can cause these symptoms? $1600 is a lot for a rebuilt, but It's not too hard to get there with 300 here and there chasing a problem

 

[deaconblues]

You've probably already checked this, but.....

Low fluid level could cause your symptoms. I'd double-check the fluid level (with the engine running) on level ground, right after having run it through all the gears once or twice.

 

[Ted22]

So I checked the fluid yesterday. When I took the plug out it dripped with a broken stream. I went ahead and added fluid a few ounces a time, but after a whole quart the rate of dripping/broken stream did not change. I only had one bottle, so I just put the plug back in. It drives much better.

Do you fill until the stream is solid coming out, and then seal it up when it first breaks up? The only thing it's doing now is: if you aggressively stop over a few hundred feet, it takes awhile for the torque converter to catch.

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

So I checked the fluid yesterday. When I took the plug out it dripped with a broken stream. I went ahead and added fluid a few ounces a time, but after a whole quart the rate of dripping/broken stream did not change. I only had one bottle, so I just put the plug back in. It drives much better.

Do you fill until the stream is solid coming out, and then seal it up when it first breaks up? The only thing it's doing now is: if you aggressively stop over a few hundred feet, it takes awhile for the torque converter to catch.

You are still low on fluid from the sounds of it. The procedure suggests that you check the fluid warm with the vehicle running and a slow, steady stream should come out. My experience is that you cannot overfill, as if you do it will vent out and most never add that much fluid anyway.

 

[Ted22]

JoshMcMadMan-

my gut is telling me i'm still a bit low as well... I've read a lot of places that you allow to run until it drips... I'm thinking it is more of a fill to a solid stream comes out then as soon as the steam breaks up it is at the right level...

Veicle running and warm... exhaust pipes hot

 

[esclamada]

Here's a nice video, very informative..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUP-nOsoJMA




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[Ted22]

I had seen that... He edited out a segment of it draining... Mine definately had more coming out than he did at the end, and it was under filled. It is driving pretty well now so I'm going to leave it.

What are the symptoms of an overfill situation?

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

I had seen that... He edited out a segment of it draining... Mine definately had more coming out than he did at the end, and it was under filled. It is driving pretty well now so I'm going to leave it.

What are the symptoms of an overfill situation?

Nothing, unless it is overfilled to the point where it comes out the vent tube. Then you will see what looks like a scary amount of fluid all over the transmission, as the little bit of fluid that gets pushed out of the vent will foam causing it to go everywhere.

 

[05explorerXLT]

I also noticed that the transmission shifts better when it is completely cold.

 

[05explorerXLT]

Maybe a stupid question but what type of socket and size is required to remove the plug where the transmission fluid fill adapter screws into? Thanks.

 

[DAT05EXPLODER]

It's a torx and I believe a t30 is the size if not then its t25.

 

[Ted22]

T30

 

[05explorerXLT]

Since starting this post my transmission symptoms have gotten worse so I went ahead an ordered the adapter and pump. Fingers crossed that adding fluid will solve my issue.

 

[deaconblues]

I used a weed sprayer to make this easy.

I think Home depot had them for 10 bux for spraying stuff like Roundup. Took some clear tubing of the type I also use for bleeding brakes and forced it onto the nozzle end. The tubing inserts nicely into the drain plug center hole. I think it can hold a gallon or so of fluid. Just fill, pump it up, insert the tubing into the drain plug, and lock the nozzle valve open and it fills nicely.

 

[05explorerXLT]

So I checked the fluid yesterday. When I took the plug out it dripped with a broken stream. I went ahead and added fluid a few ounces a time, but after a whole quart the rate of dripping/broken stream did not change. I only had one bottle, so I just put the plug back in. It drives much better.

Do you fill until the stream is solid coming out, and then seal it up when it first breaks up? The only thing it's doing now is: if you aggressively stop over a few hundred feet, it takes awhile for the torque converter to catch.

I just did the new fluid fill and have the exact same symptoms as you do still with the torque convertor taking awhile to catch on aggressive stopping. It shifts much better thru each gear now when your cruising but still has a hard thud when I put it into either driver or reverse.

 

[deaconblues]

Is the reverse and drive engagement still delayed, or just jerky?

Mine would act up after a hard stop until I added still more fluid. I think the fluid sloshes forward on a hard stop and maybe this causes the operating pressure to go down as if the fluid level is low. I added fluid with the truck facing downhill slightly to simulate this low fluid condition. Also important to add the fluid shortly after having shifted through all the gears, and while the engine is running.

From what I've been through with this, I'd rather be slightly overfilled, than underfilled with the clutches slipping and jerking.