Transmission experts, please chime in.

[Jfri247]

Howdy all, I'm not new to forums, but I am new to this one. I'll try to keep this short and sweet. Basically my goal is to get input from those of you that have had a similar issue, or have worked on an Explorer with this issue.

2008 Explorer Eddie Bauer, 3V 4.6, 6R60 tranny. 4x4


Purchased it used a month ago with 69k on odometer. Drive test seemed fine (I knew tranny could be an issue so I was feeling for it). Test was ok, motor was "flapping" on startup.

Flapping is the exhaust manifold, but what I want to hear about is this; this vehicle (especially when cold) is a bit "jerky" or "surgy" in first gear. Once it shifts to second, it works just fine and smooth all the way to sixth. Also, on a long distance trip we took a couple weeks ago, the vehicle would produce a harsh upshift from 5th to 6th after cresting a hill.

In other words after it would downshift to maintain speed going up a hill (75mph) when it shifted back to 6th it was a bit of a jerk. I don't know a whole lot about transmissions, but my research has turned up very little that is in agreement.

I would appreciate all input based on your knowledge and experience. The good news is this: vehicle came with a 3 month/3000 mile warranty on the powertrain, so it is going in to get fixed, but I want to be an informed owner when I have a discussion with the tranny tech.

thanks!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Did you check the transmission fluid level? Do you know when the fluid & filter were last replaced? Is the correct fluid in there?

 

[Jfri247]

I have not checked the fluid level myself. I also cannot speak to fluid and filter change as I acquired it used. It was a single owner vehicle with regular maintenance shown via the carfax, but alas I have assurity.

 

[MNgopher]

Our 2007 explorer with the 6R60 has some similar behavior, particularly the jerky 1st gear issue. It did not (and never has) had the bump shift issue in slowing down going from 2nd to 1st, but the engagement always felt jerky going 1-2.

Due to a recent pan leak at 101,000 miles, I had the fluid and filter changed. It has behaved much better since. The 1-2 jerkiness seems to be mostly gone. The previous owners paperwork indicated that they had the fluid and filter changed at 60,000, so I would not have expected as big of a change since it actually had been done. (owners manual suggests 150,000 miles+ on these) What fluid was used and how well it was filled by the PO - I don't know, but this time it was done at the Ford dealership, and we're happy with the results.

 

[Jfri247]

Update. got our car back. $6800 worth of work, all covered by warranty. Clutch line did not have good pressure, od clutch was burnt out. They had to drop the tranny to inspect and ended up replacing it. Seems to work good now, shift seems a little harsh from 1st to 2nd gear but other problems are gone.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Wow

69K and tranny was cooked ?
$ 6800 to fix it ?
OMG
Good you had a warranty.
Anything else done besides tranny ? Even at the dealer, it should not cost more than 5-6 K, or maybe I am still dreaming.

 

[banditxp]

Update. got our car back. $6800 worth of work, all covered by warranty. Clutch line did not have good pressure, od clutch was burnt out. They had to drop the tranny to inspect and ended up replacing it. Seems to work good now, shift seems a little harsh from 1st to 2nd gear but other problems are gone.

iv been trying to figure out mine for a while.
no did yours do this all the time even after it was warmed up?

Mine will do it from a cold start or if its been sitting for like 60+min.
but if i rev it a few times before i goto drive off it doesnt do it.

But what mine does is i give it a little gas just a bit to try to take off slow and it just jerks/bucks. been doing this since i got it at 42K miles. but i figured its something else. but maybe not.

 

[Jfri247]

Sorry to mislead, the $6800 includes the manifold replacement too, which was $1500 in labor alone. The tranny portion of my repair was closer to $4500.


Yes I mostly noticed the jerking when the car had been sitting for awhile. After it was warm, the jerking on takeoff was far less pronounced.

You could be having the same issue, poorly pressurized clutch line burning up the clutch.