Transmission advice

[SGF]

I currently find myself in that lousy situation where I have to ask myself, "to fix or not to fix".

I have a 94 Eddie Bauer that I've owned for a little over a year. For the last couple of months the transmission slips a little when the vehicle is cold. Lately it has been getting worse including occasionally doing it when warm.

I checked to see what a rebuild would cost because I've never walked out of a tranny shop with minor repairs. They said $1600!! I was sweating hearing $1000 but I had no idea it would be that much.

Now here is the problem. The X has 182,000 miles on it. When I bought it was in good enough shape that a $3,000 engine replacement was worth doing if it needed down the road. That is obviously not to far away considering the mileage. I didn’t plan on replacing the engine and transmission, and the transfer case isn’t getting younger.

I just can't see dumping about $5,000 into a nine year old vehicle. I really like the X but this feels like the first shovel full out of a money pit.

Has anyone had good luck with on-line/mail order tranny builders who have better prices? I searched this site and saw that a few people have been in this or similar situations. I'm willing to spend some money but not $1600. I don't have time to do it myself so my options are limited.

SGF

 

[Opera House]

Any history of maintenance?

Could be the filter is clogged. Of course a clogged filter means other problems. If you are thinking mail order, then I assume you are comfortable doing some mechanicals. Shipping is a killer. Ever think of rebuilding it yourself? There are also local people who will rebuild (repair) these for $250 if you pull it yourself. So far you haven't told us of a major problem that would require pulling the transmission. Some valve body work might keep you going for a while.

 

[bluevolume]

You are really at the point that I call "restore" rather than "repair". The vehicle is almost 10 years old, has a lot of miles, and you're realistically looking at replacing a lot more than the engine and transmission. Normal maintenance isn't going to keep your Explorer on the road anymore, so it really depends on how bad you want to keep it.

If the body and frame are in good shape, you really can replace everything else. After you swap out the engine and transmission, it won't be long till you'll be replacing the transfer case, both axles and diffs., wheel bearings, suspension springs, and part or all of the steering system, all the way up the column. Aside from that, you've got the body and interrior parts that must be showing their age by now -- door latches & lock, window linkages, even the turning signal handle & shifter.

For me it would be simple -- sell the truck whole or for parts, and get some new Ford fun. I've had a 91, 95, and now a 2000, and they just get better. I've always made my move when I felt like I was hitting the "restore" point. I definately could still be driving any of those old trucks, but I'm happier to spend my $$ for something newer.

Best of luck in your decision.

Blue

 

[SGF]

re. & update

The first thing I did when I bought this vehicle a year ago was to have the transmission completely flushed (not just drained) and a new filter put in. The old fluid was clean which was no surprise since the vehicle appeared well maintained. That's what is so frustrating about this. It's in nice shape, everything works well and I like it. I bought it with high miles with the hope that I'd get two or so years out of it, and then trade it in.

Both your points are well taken. My son checked with another local transmission shops yesterday. They said pretty much the same thing as the previous shop, which summed up, amounted to "complete rebuild". This one said about $1200. The shop I found on line would cost me about the same with shipping, etc. but I'd have to bay for the R&R. I've done it numerous times but I'm being realistic and accepting that I don't have time to do it right now.

 

[Opera House]

Could you define the slips?

One problem that all the A4LDs have is the low/reverse servo O ring that leaks and lowers line pressure. The speed governor, vacuum modulator TCC solenoid and the 3-4 shift solenoid also have problems. All these you could easily fix without removing the transmission. Define operation in manual1 & 2, reverse and drive, indicating shift points on the tach. Clean fluid sounds good and there could be hope.

 

[unpredictable1]

I'm at that point myself. My truck is in beautiful condition, but the OD in my auto tranny is toast. still drives fine, just can't hit 4th gear.

Shes currently for sale and it breaks my heart. right now I have her at 6900 Canadian (thats about 4500 US), one of the ads I had on a bulletin board someone took the whole ad (typical tear a phone number tag ad). So hopefully someone really wants it.

put another up in the same spot tonight my last one didn't last 2 days.

 

[SGF]

aggravation

I found a local shop that will do the overhaul. I've decided to have it done for lack of a better option. They are going to see what it needs Monday but I'm sure it'll be a rebuild for the $900 - $1200 they quoted. I'm guessing $1200 plus tax, if I'm lucky.

What really makes me mad is the darn lack of consensus on maintenance issues with engines and transmissions. The guy who does the tranny work has done it for 30 years and appears knowledgeable.
In the course of conversation he mentions that he does a lot of rebuilds on what he referred to as "Jiffy Lube" flush jobs. According to him, flushing does more harm than good. He says the full flushes loosen particles and contaminants that become abrasives inside. This stuff absolutely makes me nuts. I paid $120 a year ago for this service with a new filter, at a local garage. I did it to help the transmission last. He also told me that I should drain and change the filter every 30,000 miles. I believe that but I was surprised when he said "don't waste money on synthetics". He says they can prevent the tranny from warming to normal temperatures especially on short trips and that regular fluid with changes is the way to go.

I had heard that the components can be beefed up for towing. They feel it is unnecessary since they are already using good quality components that are capable of handling heavy duty use. I'm perplexed by this but since I would have paid more for that upgrade I'm inclined to think their comments are genuine, if not accurate. They also told me that they do all the mfg. service updates and that the seals that are available now are better than the originals.


You'd think with all the technology today we could develop an answer to these "what is best" questions. For this kind of money I want this thing to last.

SGF

 

[Opera House]

After you had it flushed

In an about 2 months you would have found the filter dirty again. New fluid loosens up a lot of sediment in the torque converter and clutch packs. Some add a cleaning agent that causes damage. The standard filter for the A4LD isn't worth anything because it is only a metal screen. Contamination then gets in the TCC & 3-4 solenoids. Ask him about putting in a MicroFelt filter for the 97 and later 5R55E transmission. Adding an external spin on filter is also a good idea.

 

[unpredictable1]

Funny, I had the same flush treatment done at a Lube place as well for the better of the truck to ensure its longevity (HAH!) Wish i knew this info back then *but*, after I ahd that done I had driven the truck for quite sometime with no problems.

Maybe its a 3-4 shift solenoid thats gone in mine....I'd change it if I knew what I was looking for and knew what to do.

 

[Opera House]

lbrowne, Knowledge is power

Like Canada, transmissions only seem foreign and exotic. Manuals are as little as $16 at www.bulkpart.com (oh, but you're in Canada). Check out www.atcdg.com and click on tech. Scroll down to A4LD problems to look at 3-4 solenoid and low/reverse servo. Just an air gun can fix a lot of problems in the valve body. Just don't see why there is all this fuss about transmissions. They are fun and easy after a little reading.

 

[SGF]

Fial results (I hope)

I never figured I'd get lucky on this one but it looks like I did. I dropped the X off Sunday evening so the shop could check it cold on Monday. After checking it out they thought the problem was with a pump that was absorbing fluid into the tranny case. That would explain the no puddles fluid loss I told him about.

They called Tuesday morning and said it ran like a champ. new pump. fluid and filter, total cost $134.00. The were able to replace it without pulling the transmission. My first ever lucky break in a transmission shop. Admittedly, I have no way of knowing what the rest of the tranny looks like but I'm not complaining. I'd have had to have replaced that pump anyway.

The way gas prices are going I may not be able to afford to drive pretty soon so it should last. Gas will cost as much as bottled water if this keeps up.

SGF

 

[Opera House]

Thats a good end

but the story doesn't make sense at all. It may be that the last filter wasn't installed properly, dropped down, and it was sucking in air. If the loss of fluid is correct, then it could have been a defective vacuum modulator valve. The engine would have sucked in small amounts of transmission fluid till the transmission started shifting funny. those are the only things that could have been done for $134 even at the friendliest shop other than replacing the low/reverse O ring. Guess we will never know.

 

[Ross-N-Chicago]

Look at the inline filters from SPX Filtran at www.bulkparts.com or consider the spin on secondary filter as well. I have 200K on my tranny and just added the spin on. Can never be too sure.

If you do a Google search for transmission failures you will find a lot of articles about trans flushes that can kill a trans b/c owners don't know to replace the filter before the flush, soon after and maybe even again after that. I agree, our filters are worthless but there are good aftermarket filters with better media to trap debris-I think SPX makes them too.

 

[SGF]

Correction to last post

After looking at my bill yesteday I realized I said pump instead of modulator. Sorry about that.

When I came to this board to make my correction this morning there was Opera House's post questioning what I wrote. That shows the knowledge level and attention to detail of the folks who post here. Thanks for keeping me honest.

SGF

 

[Ross-N-Chicago]

When I flushed mine 3000 miles ago I put on a new filter (old type, just screen) as well as a remote filter. My 4th gear is acting acting funny, and now that I've read this thread as well as started another a couple of days ago I think I may have clogged the valve body screen? or the 3-4 solenoid.

I just replaced the low/reverse servo o rings today with a little improvement.

 

[doraexplorer]

Tranny work is always expensive, but if you really feel that you love her its worth it---I have put a lot of money in mine but she's ten years old and now little things are going wrong --I can't imagine life without her-- Have you had the transmission flushed recently --like the posts above say its a bad idea along with stiring up all the debris -the new fluid is not of the same consistancy that your tranny is used to-- make sure you shop around though don't limit yourself to particular shops.The best and most cost efficent work I've had done has been by good old boys in their backyards and the local community college-if you buy the parts they will do it for free. Best of luck.

 

[unrealer]

My 95 X just came back from a looksy at the ford dealer. I will be needing a new tranny as well. Rebuilt tranny would cost me $3,000!!! That sucks.. Stuff in AK is expensive..

 

[G-rigged]

If your mechanically inclined go to a junkyard and try to find a low milage tranny pulled from a wrecked car. We got a tranny with around 30 -60k miles on it (i dont remember exactly) for 600 bucks. I'm not sure what it would be if you have someone else do it. I've always done my own repairs.

 

[silver stripe]

MY X JUST GOT A NEW TRANNY 2 WEEKS AGO, BUT FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS BEFORE THAT IT WAS IN THE SAME BOAT, SLIPPING BOTH HOT AND COLD, HESSATING TO GET IT ROLLING ECT........... MY AUTO BUDDIE SAID TRY A PRODUCT CALLED LUCAS TRANSMISSION FIX, WITH ATF CONDITIONER // AND IT FIXED THE ISSUE FOR 5 MONTHS TILL I GOT THE $1700 BUCKS AHEAD TO REBUILD IT.

IF INTERESTED HERE IS THE LINK FOR THERE SITE

http://www.autobarn.net/lucas.html

NOT SURE IF THIS STUFF IS IN THE UNITED STATES!!!!!

 

[silver stripe]

oops, sorry about the caps in the last log