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Ford Escape Mazda Tribute Maintenance and Repair

4133 messages,  Last post on Mar 24, 2013 at 5:59 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute, SUV

    

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Messages Page 333 of 414

#3319 of 4133 Re: electrical problems after battery drained [blakeescape] by tcline

Mar 21, 2006 (11:24 am)

Replying to: blakeescape (Mar 20, 2006 11:55 am)
I know about the radiator fill light, I had the exact same problem with my 2001 escape. Unfortunately you have to replace the overflow tank. It is a one piece sealed unit that houses the sensor. The sensor is nothing more than a ball that floats in a tube inside the tank. I guess over time the ball gets gunked up and sinks on it own, making contact with the sensors so the low light is constantly on. I tried at first to take the tank off and clean the ball/sensor but it is also enclosed (no way to get at it). Dont go to Ford on this one, they wanted close to 80.00 for the tank alone. I went to some ford parts stores online and ordered it for about 50.00. It is easy enough to put it on yourself. There are two screws holding it down and the tube is attached by a clamp. Hope this helps.

#3320 of 4133 re: blackeescape by tfzny

Mar 22, 2006 (4:10 pm)

hi everybody. I work at AAMCO and I actually came across this website because a friend of mine is looking into buying a new mercury mariner and asked me to see what I could dig up about it-- if anyone has any info, please let me know
 
anyway...about that od light -- you need to get that thing into a tranny shop FAST!!! escapenut is right, the CD4E really ought to be called the CD$E. We see a LOT of car owners replacing these-- at low mileage, as compared with other domestic transmissions. But, if you go to a shop where they actually repair the transmission onsite, and if you catch the problem as early as possble, you can save yourself some money. Just FYI: the base price including torque converter should be $2621.18 or less (depending on labor rate)... most places will give you this information if you push for it -- ask least 3 times. As far as worst case goes... just hope you don't get there. I honestly think it was some kind of joke that ford stuck this transmission into this vehicle... it really does not seem appropriate given the other transmission options they have.

#3321 of 4133 re: blackeescape [tfzny] by blakeescape

Mar 22, 2006 (10:28 pm)

Replying to: tfzny (Mar 22, 2006 4:10 pm)
Wow thanks for the input... Taking it to see what I can get for trade-in tomorrow... :| Luckily I got it for pretty cheap...

#3322 of 4133 Re: electrical problems after battery drained [escapenut] by blakeescape

Mar 23, 2006 (5:01 pm)

Replying to: escapenut (Mar 21, 2006 8:07 am)
Well, traded in for a new Ford Focus. For trade in, they gave us exactly what we bought it for.. ($7000)

#3323 of 4133 Re: EGR??, IAC?? Help [patcal] by sfaguy

Mar 29, 2006 (8:10 pm)

Replying to: patcal (Jan 17, 2006 7:34 am)
Did cleaning/changing the IAC work for you ?

#3324 of 4133 Re: 01 Tribute Completely Dead [nitelite] by sfaguy

Mar 29, 2006 (8:15 pm)

Replying to: nitelite (Jan 17, 2006 3:17 pm)
Did filing a complaint work for you ?
Have you tried the IAC replacement, and did it work ?
I have basically the same problem.
 
I have had to change my PCM because of a burned out capacitor. Does anyone know if this is common, and what causes it ?
The capacitor is the largest or 2 beige w/ a brown stripe surface-mounted capacitors w/ markings 476/10k/125 near the back of the PCM.
 
J.D.

#3325 of 4133 Re: 01 Tribute Completely Dead [sfaguy] by blakeescape

Mar 30, 2006 (3:09 pm)

Replying to: sfaguy (Mar 29, 2006 8:15 pm)
If you are referring to me, I did not fill out a complaint.. if there is a way, do tell me. I don't have the lemon escape anymore, but I still think Ford should know people are having problems. I didnt have anything fixed, I was just happy how much they gave for trade in, cause it was as much as we originally paid for the Escape in the first place a year ago.
My problems were more serious... transmission was slowly going out on top of all the other things I mentioned up above.

#3326 of 4133 Re: Transmission Problems Explained [tonyford] by pdc2

Apr 01, 2006 (4:06 am)

Replying to: tonyford (Mar 12, 2006 12:13 pm)
Just lucky I read this post. I am about to do a flush and refill for transmission on my 02 XLT 4WD and the technician in a Ford dealership quoted the refill to be Mercon V. Thanks very much.
 
Is there a need for a flush and refill for the power steering system? The price quoted is Can. $139. I don't remember having this (or the transmission work above) done in all my previous cars.
 
Thank you again.

#3327 of 4133 Re: Transmission Problems Explained [pdc2] by tonyford

Apr 02, 2006 (5:46 pm)

Replying to: pdc2 (Apr 01, 2006 4:06 am)
The Ford technicians at the Ford Dealerships don't jack poop about transmission fluids, special service messages, techincal service bulletins. They could care less, they go to their job everyday just waiting to for the day to end so they can go home. These guys are just like anyone else who has a boring job.
 
As far as the power steering system, I have never done this on any car I owned. I am not saying it might not be a bad idea to do it, but it really isn't necessary. The Ford service manual says nothing about flushing the power steering system. It just tells you to make sure the fluid level is where it is suppose to be.
 
On a normal car with a good transmission, you are right, all this flushing and refilling is unnecessary, but the Ford Escape CD4E transmission is very problematic and even with extensive maintenance with the flushing and refilling thing, the trans still will likely go before its time. From what I heard, the CD4E is not engineered sturdy enough for the weight and V6 engine of the Escape. Ford used this trans in their smaller 4 cylinder cars and did some minor modifications so it could be used in the Escape. Ford needs to use a better and stronger transmission in future Escapes.

#3328 of 4133 Re: Transmission Problems Explained [tonyford] by pdc2

Apr 03, 2006 (4:15 pm)

Replying to: tonyford (Apr 02, 2006 5:46 pm)
Thank you very much and thanks also to all those who have given so much information on transmission fluid; difference between draining and flushing and quantities, etc.
 
I think it best to describe my experience of my visit to the Ford dealership this morning. I brought the Ford work estimate dd Mar. 29 which is -
      headed "Flush Automatic Trans CD4E"
QTY PART NUMBER PART DESCRIPTION PART PRICE EXT.PRIC
 10 FOCXT-2-LM12 FLUID-TRANSMISSION 4.33 43.30
 
(Plus labour $81 and shop supplies $8.51) 89.51
                                                     =132.81
 
As the actual bill came to only $119, I asked and was told that they only do draining and refill (about 5 litres)which they claim to be the maintenance service required by Ford. Since 50% of the fluid would be old oil, I protested and the service manager helped me dialed Ford.ca.
The lady at Ford.ca told me that the ford dealership service staff are the technical experts on maintenance services and if they say "flushing" means draining, Ford.ca backs them 100%.
The service manager asked me for my proposal and when I said I was prepared to pay the bill but that they should omit "flush" and correct the quantity of 10 to 5 litres (to prevent misunderstanding by other customers) in their estimates, he said that "flush" was in their computer system and difficult to change but that the quantity of 10 was incorrectly entered in my works estimate. He then graciously offerred to wave my payment entirely and also rejected my offer to make a charity donation giving him the donation receipt - he said he wanted his customers happy.
I post this message because I feel that the works estimate was misleading (indeed, I would never have questioned such maintenance bills had I not been reading this column) and this might alert some other owners.

Messages Page 333 of 414

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