Keith N
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- July 3, 2016
- Messages
- 124
- Reaction score
- 16
- City, State
- Midwest
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2011 explorer xlt
Just sharing my story for information and knowledge. 2011 3.5 N.A. Have 96k miles. About a month ago I did two back to back transmission drains and fills. Before I started I checked level and it was barely on dip stick, which I found odd. We had car since 45k.
Anyway, after doing two drain/fills I had it low, but at least higher on dipstick. Was driving it days later and getting on it to merge on highway and it started bucking and acting weird 3500-4500 rpm. Acting like couldn't find a gear, downshifting, etc. No CEL. I was convinced it was fluid level related so added more. Now it was over the max line by 1/4". (very hard to tell level with this dipstick) Driving it days later did similiar thing. I pumped some out of tranny with 1/4" clear tube and got it just right. It has to be good now I thought.
Nope, got even worse on my next drive. So I was getting mad. Normally I back off it when it starts shifting or bucking, acting weird etc. This time I just kept my foot into and then CEL starting flashing. Went out after several seconds. No steady light remained. Later in day on ride home I did same thing, but now CEL stayed on. It was P0300, random misfires.
So, I focused on the misfire at least now. I put in new plugs first. Now it is back to normal. Of note, the original plugs looked rough. Gaps 70-80 (should be .050), rust on the porcelin. I put in Autolite Iridium and they seem good so far. No issues merging on highway now. Used dielectric grease on boots.
So my takeaways are I don't think fluid level is that critical on the tranny, at least low levels. Be careful trying to push your plugs to 100k or more.
Keith
Anyway, after doing two drain/fills I had it low, but at least higher on dipstick. Was driving it days later and getting on it to merge on highway and it started bucking and acting weird 3500-4500 rpm. Acting like couldn't find a gear, downshifting, etc. No CEL. I was convinced it was fluid level related so added more. Now it was over the max line by 1/4". (very hard to tell level with this dipstick) Driving it days later did similiar thing. I pumped some out of tranny with 1/4" clear tube and got it just right. It has to be good now I thought.
Nope, got even worse on my next drive. So I was getting mad. Normally I back off it when it starts shifting or bucking, acting weird etc. This time I just kept my foot into and then CEL starting flashing. Went out after several seconds. No steady light remained. Later in day on ride home I did same thing, but now CEL stayed on. It was P0300, random misfires.
So, I focused on the misfire at least now. I put in new plugs first. Now it is back to normal. Of note, the original plugs looked rough. Gaps 70-80 (should be .050), rust on the porcelin. I put in Autolite Iridium and they seem good so far. No issues merging on highway now. Used dielectric grease on boots.
So my takeaways are I don't think fluid level is that critical on the tranny, at least low levels. Be careful trying to push your plugs to 100k or more.
Keith
