cblandin
New Member
- Joined
- January 30, 2016
- Messages
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- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2000
So my stepson has a 2001 Explorer (134k miles) with the 5R55E transmission and recently began experiencing the dreaded shift flair followed by the flashing O/D light. I checked the code, got the not uncommon, P0733 "3rd gear code..."' which lead me to this forum (really well done info...Glacier's valve body diary is legendary).
Yesterday, we dropped the pan and valve body and did the Ford TSB (03-22-10), where we replaced the valve body seperator plate and gaskets with the new plate/bonded gaskets and replaced the little epc "plug" bit. The upper gasket was torn at the usual locations everyone finds. Got it back together and...no improvement. Dropped the pan again, and put in a new EPC solenoid. Same thing - no improvement.
So, we've done what appear to be the most common "fixes", but to no avail. As I read the 4,279 threads on the subject, the path forward is a lot more murky.
One of the more common themes beyond "rebuild the transmission" seems to be "just get a rebuilt valve body" from somewhere like CVB. So, my question here is "what exactly does a rebuilt valve body give me that I can't do myself"?
When I compare it to carburetor rebuilds I've done in the past, most of that consisted of disassembling the carb, soaking all the parts in (nice and caustic) carb cleaner, cleaning passages and reassembling with all new seals, gaskets, and a few other common wear parts (needle/seat, plungers, seals, float, etc.). It is important to note that 80% of the value in rebuilding a carb was cleaning all the passages out.
I assume a VB rebuild will check/replace the solenoids too, and maybe do a couple more "upgrades", but is the process essentially the same as above? Is it more complex simply because they don't sell a VB "rebuild kit" and knowing what to replace vs. keep just ends up being a bit difficult for the layman? Perhaps they can "cycle" solenoids and check for pressure, which I can't do. Is there any benefit to pulling it down, AGAIN, and removing all plumgers, check balls, springs, etc. and cleaning it or do we just bite the bullet and go for the rebuilt unit?
Thanks all!
Yesterday, we dropped the pan and valve body and did the Ford TSB (03-22-10), where we replaced the valve body seperator plate and gaskets with the new plate/bonded gaskets and replaced the little epc "plug" bit. The upper gasket was torn at the usual locations everyone finds. Got it back together and...no improvement. Dropped the pan again, and put in a new EPC solenoid. Same thing - no improvement.
So, we've done what appear to be the most common "fixes", but to no avail. As I read the 4,279 threads on the subject, the path forward is a lot more murky.
One of the more common themes beyond "rebuild the transmission" seems to be "just get a rebuilt valve body" from somewhere like CVB. So, my question here is "what exactly does a rebuilt valve body give me that I can't do myself"?
When I compare it to carburetor rebuilds I've done in the past, most of that consisted of disassembling the carb, soaking all the parts in (nice and caustic) carb cleaner, cleaning passages and reassembling with all new seals, gaskets, and a few other common wear parts (needle/seat, plungers, seals, float, etc.). It is important to note that 80% of the value in rebuilding a carb was cleaning all the passages out.
I assume a VB rebuild will check/replace the solenoids too, and maybe do a couple more "upgrades", but is the process essentially the same as above? Is it more complex simply because they don't sell a VB "rebuild kit" and knowing what to replace vs. keep just ends up being a bit difficult for the layman? Perhaps they can "cycle" solenoids and check for pressure, which I can't do. Is there any benefit to pulling it down, AGAIN, and removing all plumgers, check balls, springs, etc. and cleaning it or do we just bite the bullet and go for the rebuilt unit?
Thanks all!