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Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

6386 messages,  Last post on May 27, 2013 at 6:07 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer

    

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Messages Page 376 of 640

#3745 of 6386 Re: Ford explorer transmission problems Please HELP!!!!! [chuck1] by electricdesign

Jun 02, 2005 (8:26 pm)

Replying to: chuck1 (Jun 02, 2005 12:57 pm)
"She said she had the tranny rebuilt a year ago. It would appear (unless there is abuse here) that the rebuild was bad--not the transmission. If the rebuild was done properly, it would have gone a lot longer than a year, no matter how bad you say they are.... "
 
Yes....Exactly my point. My former post indicated the criticalness of rebuilding the tranny right, or it will not work for long. The point I made about how bad they are is twofold.
First, is the inheirent weakness of the design, with so my design flaws, they made many production changes from 1991 to 1994, first changing the band from the double wrap to the single wrap, changing clutch drums, planetaries, pump and thrust washers. They were full of weaknesses, and are a big part of tranny shops bread and butter.
Second, is the critical need to have everything exactly perfect in the tranny. You can't just let a part "slide " or "get by" because it looks ok, it must be critically examined, and measured, to be as good as new or else replace it. These trannys typically require so many new hard parts, that they typically need to be REMANUFACTURED with almost all new parts. Throwing them together with a set of soft parts and a few thrust washers will usually result in what Ladyc got, a failed transmission after a relatively short period of time. AND once it fails again, it must be completely redone over again, as everything is contaminated and ruined, meaning another new or rebuilt torque converter, cleaning and flushing the cooler and lines, tearing in down completely again and checking everything to the very last detail.
As I said, I built several of these, and I have delt with others who have built them. These trannys can hold up if they are used for light duty only, but the idea of a SUV built on a light truck frame is for service heavier than light duty. Myself, I drive rather hard and agressive, so they do not hold up well for me. An easygoing driver may have better luck with them. However, once they start to have problems, easygoing or not, they will eventually self distruct.
For those of you that are not familiar with transmissions, let me say that all transmissions are NOT created equal. They are like cars, some are better than others. Each has their own unique qualities, strengths and weaknesses. A good transmission technician know these qualities, and knows what to look for in a particular tranny, if he is experienced with that particular tranny.
Again, good luck,
E.D.

#3746 of 6386 Re: Ford explorer transmission problems Please HELP!!!!! [electricdesign] by chuck1

Jun 02, 2005 (8:36 pm)

Replying to: electricdesign (Jun 02, 2005 8:26 pm)
So-does this person have anything she can do? It's obviously a bad rebuild.

#3747 of 6386 Re: Ford explorer transmission problems Please HELP!!!!! [chuck1] by electricdesign

Jun 02, 2005 (8:57 pm)

Replying to: chuck1 (Jun 02, 2005 8:36 pm)
She did not say where she got it rebuilt at, but did say the warranty is expired. That doesn't leave too many options open. It's best to take it back where she had it rebuilt and see what they have to say, then go from there. They may be nice enough to rebuild it again at a discounted price, or she may have to shop around again, but I'd definitely ask around for a better warrenty. One year is pretty much standard, but there may be longer ones available. I don't deal with the retail shops very much, so someone else may know of places with better warrenties.
E.D.

#3748 of 6386 Re: Whistling noise [fdexp] by littleroy

Jun 03, 2005 (12:16 pm)

Replying to: fdexp (Apr 29, 2005 3:15 pm)
I'm with you on the "whistling". I had a 2004 Mountaineer and it started making this noise about a month after I had it. The noise is definitely coming from the rear of the vehicle on the left side. I have had it in many many times over the past 2 years and each time they fix something else, but it never really gets fixed. My wife and I upgraded to a 2005 Mercury Mountaineer Premier last week and today it started whistling also. Does anyone know what the heck this is and how it can be fixed? I'm so tempted to take it back and tell the dealer to keep it. All my respect for Ford/Mercury/Lincoln is slipping...

#3749 of 6386 Transmission Problem - Advice? by jkohnman

Jun 04, 2005 (12:07 pm)

Hi,
 
I've got a 1997 Explorer XLT with 140,000 miles. I think the transmission is going, but some of the things it's doing make me wonder. In the mornings it's usually okay, except when I accelarate hard, then it kind of jerks a bit, almost like it's missing, but once I get to speed it's okay. In the evenings (where the heavy LA traffic is) it does the same. If I turn on the Air Conditioner, it does not was to 'take off' from a light, but once I get up to 25-30 I can feel a surge of power in the truck, and I really take off from there fine. I really feels to me like the engine while working is having a problem with a load or something. After a couple of weeks of this, the other day the check engine light came on. It usually goes into gear when I start the car, but sometimes theres a delay before it engages (which is why I think at least part of this is transmission?)
Anyone have any ideas of anything OTHER than transmission that could cause this?
 
Thanks a bunch!
Jim

#3750 of 6386 Re: Transmission Problem - Advice? [jkohnman] by electricdesign

Jun 04, 2005 (8:07 pm)

Replying to: jkohnman (Jun 04, 2005 12:07 pm)
You did not mention what engine you have, and that is important, because that would tell us what kind of transmission you have. If you have the V6 SOHC engine, you have the 5 speed automatic and if you have the V8, you have the 4 speed automatic (4R70W). You also give us no service history. Is all the engine and transmission maintenance kept up to date? It is strange how you describe it to act DIFFERENTLY in the Morning than in the EVENING. Is that mostly because the type of driving is different?
"In the mornings it's usually okay, except when I accelarate hard, then it kind of jerks a bit, almost like it's missing, but once I get to speed it's okay." That may indeed be due to a miss in the engine. Check Spark Plugs, make sure they are the correct type and gap, make sure the spark plug wires are in good shape. Bad spark plugs and spark plug wires can cause what you describe. Be sure to take your vehicle to a shop with a good diagnostic code reader, to find out what is wrong in the engine first, then check the transmission after the engine is running good.
"In the evenings (where the heavy LA traffic is) it does the same. If I turn on the Air Conditioner, it does not was to 'take off' from a light, but once I get up to 25-30 I can feel a surge of power in the truck, and I really take off from there fine. I really feels to me like the engine while working is having a problem with a load or something." In heavy traffic you seem to have a problem taking off, maybe lack of power or under some load pulling the engine down? This sounds most likely like the transmission is starting off in second gear instead of first gear. This could be caused by several things, valve body, soleniods, ect. You need to have a shop with a good transmission code reader pull the transmission codes to see what is wrong with it, then go from there.
Good Luck,
E.D.
 

#3751 of 6386 Re: Ford explorer transmission problems Please HELP!!!!! [ladyc] by electricdesign

Jun 04, 2005 (9:18 pm)

Replying to: ladyc (May 30, 2005 4:17 pm)
Ladyc, please go to the following site, they sell quality remanufactured transmissions with a 3 year warrenty.
 
http://www.jasperengines.com/reman-trans-process.htm

#3752 of 6386 Re: Transmission Problem - Advice? [electricdesign] by jkohnman

Jun 04, 2005 (9:53 pm)

Replying to: electricdesign (Jun 04, 2005 8:07 pm)
Thank you for your reply. You've given me a lot to think about. I'm not as good with the maint. as I should be, but I did have everything serviced about a year ago. Had a tune up etc, and had the fluid changed in the transmission etc. It seemed better up until a couple of weeks ago. I just keep wondering if I should put the money into it if it is the transmission. With as much 'stress' miles I have one it, I'm worried it's might be just the start of stuff. I have LOVED this vehicle, so I hate to write it off too fast.

#3753 of 6386 Re: Transmission Problem - Advice? [jkohnman] by jkohnman

Jun 04, 2005 (10:00 pm)

Replying to: jkohnman (Jun 04, 2005 9:53 pm)
Darn, forgot to mention, I have the 6 cyl. with the 5 speed trans.

#3754 of 6386 Re: Mountanier Engine Warranty [fjwelding] by nvbanker

Jun 05, 2005 (10:51 am)

Replying to: fjwelding (May 30, 2005 9:26 am)
I hope you kept copies of those receipts. Ask to see the service manager. If he can't be reasoned with, ask to see the General Manager of the dealership. No luck there, then ask to see a Ford Representative. That may take a week or two, but be patient. There is no way Ford would deny your claim - this is a dealer problem, not a Ford problem. Ford won't deny that claim, if it's as cut and dry as you're telling us.

Messages Page 376 of 640

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