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Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer 2006 and newer

859 messages,  Last post on Feb 28, 2012 at 4:00 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mercury Mountaineer, Ford Explorer, SUV

Messages Page 82 of 87

#805 of 859 2006 transmission problems corrected by fsmmcsi

Mar 14, 2008 (8:56 pm)

My 2006 Explorer V8 has exhibited some slight 1-2 upshift and downshift problems since it was new, but they were too slight for me to bother taking it in for service. I now have 34,600 miles on it, and the problem (occasionally feeling like being hit from behind on some stops, occasional jerky take-off from stops) had worsened, so I took it to Rancho Santa Margarita Ford. I especially appreciate the transmission mechanic's desire to having it right before returning it to me. He worked on it, and it was supposed to be finished at the end of the day Wednesday. However, when I arrived to pick it up, Duane in the service department explained that the mechanic was not statisfied with the way it shifted, so wanted to replace more parts. I picked it up this morning (Friday), and it is very, very smooth.
 
They did not have the paperwork ready when I picked it up, and I did not care, as it was warranty work, so I do not know what they replaced, although I think they will mail the paperwork.
 
I see that some of you seem to have the probelms return after the transmission was repaired. Is that correct?

#806 of 859 Re: 2006 transmission problems corrected [fsmmcsi] by gldnbr2

Mar 14, 2008 (9:17 pm)

Replying to: fsmmcsi (Mar 14, 2008 8:56 pm)
From my own experience I would say yes to your question. It comes down to a computer download that reprograms the transmission. It will shift smooth for a few hundred miles, but eventually comes back. I have had this done several times only to have it reappear. The last one has improved it more than the other downloads, but it still on occasion shifts with the feeling of "being hit from behind." Good luck, and I hope whatever was done will last.

#807 of 859 Re: 2006 transmission problems corrected [fsmmcsi] by dave1309

Mar 15, 2008 (7:31 am)

Replying to: fsmmcsi (Mar 14, 2008 8:56 pm)
I went thru the same process and had all the problems associated with the transmission. Returned to the dealer three times and the last time they had the new flash code program. The mechanic also replaced something called a valve body and cleaned that area of any gunk and buildup.
When I picked my Explorer up the mechanic also said that he wiped out the adaptive learning part of the computer and to give it a couple of days of normal driving. If I had any problems to bring it back.
I'm happy to I've been problem free with the tranny. Whatever the dealer did (my mechanical skills are not the best) worked. I think that replacing that valve body with a newly modified version did the trick.

#808 of 859 Re: 2006 transmission problems corrected [dave1309] by gldnbr2

Mar 15, 2008 (8:22 am)

Replying to: dave1309 (Mar 15, 2008 7:31 am)
Awesome! How long has it been since you had it repaired? After my last new flash it took a couple months before it began acting up again. I'll keep my fingers crossed that what your mechanic did will continue to work.

#809 of 859 Re: 2006 transmission problems corrected [gldnbr2] by dave1309

Mar 15, 2008 (9:14 am)

Replying to: gldnbr2 (Mar 15, 2008 8:22 am)
If I remember correctly the problem was finally fixed (hope) back in late November of 2007. No problems since..........need to find a piece of wood to knock on when I say that, don't want to jinx anything.

#810 of 859 Gas Mileage by sacmtnr

Mar 28, 2008 (3:33 pm)

Just returned from a trip to Florida from Northern Virginia. I was curious what the mileage for the entire trip might be so I didn't reset the mileage tracker until we returned home. The trip covered approximately 1900 miles. About 1400 of these were highway, with the rest being just general sight seeing and quite a bit of beach driving (aprox. 60 miles). Also sat in one highway backup on the way home where we only traveled about 5 miles in 2 hours. The total average mileage was 20.8. I was actually very surprised it was that high. I would have expected that for just the highway part of the trip. Will also mention that the vehicle always had 4 people in it.
 
A note on the transmission issues with the 6 speed, it's been about a month since I had the latest flash update (from late November/ early December actually) done and it still seems to be shifting slightly better. Like I said in an earlier post, it's not perfect but the latest update did seem to make it a little better so might be worth a try for those of you that haven't done it yet.

#811 of 859 Re: Gas Mileage [sacmtnr] by baggs32

Mar 28, 2008 (8:06 pm)

Replying to: sacmtnr (Mar 28, 2008 3:33 pm)
Good report. Thanks for the update.
 
While the tranny issues, minor and isolated as they seem to be, make be glad we went with the V6 in our '06 Explorer I think we'll get the V8 if we get a Mountaineer next year when the leas is up. Our best highway mileage came last Summer on a trip from Pittsburgh to the OBX where we averaged just under 22 mpg. Seeing that the V8 gets similar mileage it would be worth the extra $$ just to have the extra power. The hills around here make the V8 slightly strained at times.

#812 of 859 Re: Gas Mileage [baggs32] by sacmtnr

Mar 29, 2008 (7:12 am)

Replying to: baggs32 (Mar 28, 2008 8:06 pm)
There is definitely a big difference from the V6 to the V8. A friend of mine has an 06 Explorer with the V6 and when I drove that it was easy to see that it wouldn't take much to put a strain on it. Short of trying to pull your house down the street, there is not much that would stress out the V8. I have pulled an enclosed motorcycle trailer (800lb motorcycle inside) and the only way you can tell it's back there is because you can't see out of the rearview mirror. Power and passing speed is very impressive. In my opinion V8 is the only choice.

#813 of 859 "fluttering" noise by allieoop1

Mar 29, 2008 (9:31 am)

I own a 2006 V6 Mountaineer with 43000 miles on it. Since my first oil change at 3,000 miles the car has had what I call a "flutter" that lasts from about 30 mph to 50 mph whenever I'm accelerating. It sounds similar to the sound you get when you put a playing card in the spoke of a bicycle tire. I've complained about it to the dealer every 3000 miles when I take the car in for oil changes but they haven't been able to figure out the problem.
 
Has anyone else had this problem? Were you able to get it fixed?
 
Thanks

#814 of 859 Re: Gas Mileage [sacmtnr] by gldnbr2

Mar 29, 2008 (7:33 pm)

Replying to: sacmtnr (Mar 29, 2008 7:12 am)
I just returned from a trip from Chicago to Memphis and back and I did average slightly under 21 mpg on the highway. I thought this was good for the V8.
 
I have pulled a 3100 lbs trailer with this Mountaineer and found the V8 more than capable of handling that weight.
 
As for the transmission, after the November flash it has worked better, but not perfect. Too bad this problem has left such a sour note with me towards Ford Motor Company's ability to recognize and admit there is a problem and satisfy their loyal customers.

Messages Page 82 of 87

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