transmission issue...need help please

[kloadman97]

Have a transmission problem with my Explorer that I hoped someone could help me with. Recently my friend and I changed the transmission fluid and filter on my '97 Explorer. Since then it has developed a hitch so to speak. When I first get in and drive the car has trouble shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. I start out and get up to about 2000rpm, the engine revs up to 2500rpm or more, then shifts hard into 2nd gear. Sometimes if I have to back out of a parking space, it takes a second for the transmission to kick in after I have shifted to drive. This continues for about 5 minutes or so of driving, and then appears to go away. At first I thought it might be the fluid level, but I have checked it when the engine was cold and when it was warm, and everything appears to be in order. I'm kinda stumped and I can't seem to find the info in the Chilton manual, so I was hoping someone on here might have an idea or two. Thanks for your help!

 

[Opera House]

I think the filter is not mounted properly( dropped down) or you forgot the O rings. In either case, you are sucking in air till the fluid warms up and expands. If you search the site you will find you are not the first one with this problem.

 

[kloadman97]

O rings? as in multiple rings? or are you simply referring to the gasket of the transmission pan...which we replaced when we changed the fluid. Unfortunately I was not under the car with him so I can only offer so much information. I will also take the time to search around. Any other thoughts for me though?

 

[have2goski]

there are 2 o-rings that go on the actual filter when you install it.

 

[kloadman97]

the plot thickens...

Well we may have located the issue. Neither myself nor my friend who helped me remember any o-rings in the box with the new filter and pan gasket. Am I going to have to run the car down to AAMCO or something to finish this off, or will the local Advanced Auto Parts that sold me the filter have something like that readily available...especially since it seems they shafted me on it the first time.

 

[Blee1099]

Re: the plot thickens...

Originally posted by kloadman97
Well we may have located the issue. Neither myself nor my friend who helped me remember any o-rings in the box with the new filter and pan gasket. Am I going to have to run the car down to AAMCO or something to finish this off, or will the local Advanced Auto Parts that sold me the filter have something like that readily available...especially since it seems they shafted me on it the first time.

It should have come with some o-rings. the last time I bought my filter there, it came with a set of o-rings that you had to put on.

 

[Opera House]

Still got your old filter? Probably not. You can pull them off that. Many hardware stores sell O ring kits for about $7 or you cna buy them individually. This filter has a recessed mounting hole. Some screws will bottom out before they fully snug up the filter. Some came factory with a larege washer that rests on the plastic and this is probably the safest.