Transmission Flush

[turborich]

JoshMcMadMac, You are correct, I misread your post. I apologize as it was my fault.

 

[krajik1]

I just recently did my tranny flush and brought near death to it. It started slipping and hammering into gears when shifting my opinion is that if u have never done it don't do it. It will cause it to malfunction

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

I just recently did my tranny flush and brought near death to it. It started slipping and hammering into gears when shifting my opinion is that if u have never done it don't do it. It will cause it to malfunction

Sounds low on fluid.

 

[krajik1]

Sounds low on fluid.

I've had it topped off 3 times with slip fluid and a whole new pan plug and filter it doesn't seem to do it at high rpms tho so idk what could be the problem

 

[HiImBrian]

I've had it topped off 3 times with slip fluid and a whole new pan plug and filter it doesn't seem to do it at high rpms tho so idk what could be the problem

If you've had it topped off 3 times you obviously have a leak somewhere....

 

[krajik1]

The first fill I screwed p the screw so I had to flush it again and do it and I added the slip fluid and it still does it and it does not leak now

 

[Pepse]

Well I read every post for this situation. To me the answer is "whatever you do is a crapshoot". Also, the consensus here is the same answers I get when asking "Should I flush or change fluid and filter"? It is rather divided down the middle and everbody is right and wrong. Personally I really don't like the idea of flushing. I am in agreement with the main dude at the Transmission shop near where I live. He states that unless you run the transmission backwards you are NOT cleaning it out properly. I called this place when researching Ford Explorers. Being that I have heard many many horror stories over the life of the Explorer; POS motor, POS tranny. And being a Ford enthusiast for nigh on 50 years I still wanted to get an Explorer/Mountineer vs. Escape/Mariner. Mainly as a backup vehicle/occasional tow a small trailer vehicle/and to get out of the D$#@m driveway in the winter vehicle. So, as for me? I am getting too old to crawl under and do my own tranny filter/fluid thing. So, I will take it to this Trans shop and spend money for them to do it for me.

Anyway I am new here and I bought a 2003 Explorer XLT 4WD wit 103300 miles on it. It has the 4.0L V-6. I have no clue as to whether or not the tranny has been touched before I bought it. My plan before today's 160 mile trip was to have the fluid/filter replaced, regardless. So, one reason for this post is that when going on this excursion (No pun intended) Saturday I noticed that when going up Not very steep grades the trans would drop back to 4th gear (I have made this trip may times with my '03 Sable LS Premium and my wife's 05 Taurus SE and neither car has downshifted in these areas whereas my Explorer did). Now to me it really didn't seem like a slip but more like the SUV is underpowered. But then I am posting because I am not sure. Outside of 2 standard size people there was no additional weight in the SUV for this trip. On the way up I had the A/C on and on the way back I had the A/C off. No diff. Other than this the trans shifts rather smoothly.

Opinions?

Later. Pepse.

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

Well I read every post for this situation. To me the answer is "whatever you do is a crapshoot". Also, the consensus here is the same answers I get when asking "Should I flush or change fluid and filter"? It is rather divided down the middle and everbody is right and wrong. Personally I really don't like the idea of flushing. I am in agreement with the main dude at the Transmission shop near where I live. He states that unless you run the transmission backwards you are NOT cleaning it out properly. I called this place when researching Ford Explorers. Being that I have heard many many horror stories over the life of the Explorer; POS motor, POS tranny. And being a Ford enthusiast for nigh on 50 years I still wanted to get an Explorer/Mountineer vs. Escape/Mariner. Mainly as a backup vehicle/occasional tow a small trailer vehicle/and to get out of the D$#@m driveway in the winter vehicle. So, as for me? I am getting too old to crawl under and do my own tranny filter/fluid thing. So, I will take it to this Trans shop and spend money for them to do it for me.

Anyway I am new here and I bought a 2003 Explorer XLT 4WD wit 103300 miles on it. It has the 4.0L V-6. I have no clue as to whether or not the tranny has been touched before I bought it. My plan before today's 160 mile trip was to have the fluid/filter replaced, regardless. So, one reason for this post is that when going on this excursion (No pun intended) Saturday I noticed that when going up Not very steep grades the trans would drop back to 4th gear (I have made this trip may times with my '03 Sable LS Premium and my wife's 05 Taurus SE and neither car has downshifted in these areas whereas my Explorer did). Now to me it really didn't seem like a slip but more like the SUV is underpowered. But then I am posting because I am not sure. Outside of 2 standard size people there was no additional weight in the SUV for this trip. On the way up I had the A/C on and on the way back I had the A/C off. No diff. Other than this the trans shifts rather smoothly.

Opinions?

Later. Pepse.

To call the transmission a POS is a bit excessive; to call either of the engines a POS is just down right wrong.

To address your concern, it sounds perfectly fine. Honestly yes, I tend to agree that the 4.0L is a bit underpowered for a 4500lb SUV, but that is most likely not the issue. This is a 5-speed transmission, whereas your other vehicles are 4-speed. It is not uncommon for the transmission to drop out of over-drive to keep the engine from bogging down. It is also possible that you are just feeling the torque converter un-locking. Definitely get the transmission filter and fluid replaced.

 

[Pepse]

As for the engine/tranny bit? Let me refrase that. I have heard "a lot" of negative things about the motor and tranny since the Explorer came out in 1992. The 4.0L is/was notoriuos for cracked heads and the tranny has the same poor quality as the Taurus trannys from '86 to 2000. They are weak.

Now remember this like, I said I have been a Ford person for almost 50 years. I also critsize badly? when I see appropriate.

Now as for my Explorer? Yeah, I see the problem as you state it. It would probably be better if I run that route in 4th gear or at least drop it to 4th when approaching those small hills. Then too, I think if I put in new plugs it might help, a little. Since they are (I'm sure) original.

Later. Pepse.