Transmission: let it die?

[jumpjets]

I recently acquired a 2002 ford explorer 4.0V6 with 88K hard inner-city miles, which I use almost exclusivley as my boat towing rig.

According to ford, it has a sealed transmission which only needs service every 150k miles. However, this vehicle has lived a hard abused life of inner city driving, and now it only tows a heavy load.

Normally, I would install a heavy duty cooler, and fill it with synthetic fluid, then count on it to be good. However, it requires special tools and a scanner to do a trans fluid change. It has no dipstick, and I can't just change the fluid and filter in my driveway. I would have to get a ford dealer to install the trans cooler and the syn fluid, which would be expensive.

Furthermore, it is often said that abused transmissions are best left alone, since they are held together by thier own internal gunk and grime.

Should I be proactive and take precautionary steps to "hopefuly" keep the transmission alive, or just leave it sealed and let it die a hard death?

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Transmission: let it die?

As long as your not exceeding the vehicles tow capacity I would leave it alone.

 

[JB]

Re: Transmission: let it die?

I gather that it ain't broke. Yup, I think you don't fix it.

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Transmission: let it die?

I had a 2000 explorer with the 4.0 for 10 years, replaced the transmission at 97000 miles and was good until I sold it last year with 168000. I towed a 87 Chapparral 18' for 5 of those years. I always hated that thing, I felt it should have more power with a 4.0 liter V6. Upgraded to a Tahoe with 5.7 and a deep hul 20 footer. Night and day difference.

 

[jpwilly]

Re: Transmission: let it die?

Change the trans fluid. You wouldn't not change your motor oil would you?

 

[CobiaXL]

Re: Transmission: let it die?

Most automatic transmissions fail due to a breakdown of the transmission fluid caused by overheating.Add a cooler and a temperature gauge when you change out fluid.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Transmission: let it die?

88,000 hard inner city miler ROFL..... My ford has 316,000 hard interstate/city towing heavy for most of them and it is currently on it's second transmission..... I've never owned a vehicle with that low of mileage..... LOL
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That said.... I'd say get that getting the trans flushed and new fluid (as recommended by ford) installed early would not hurt anything and wouldn't be a bad idea but I wouldn't bother with it myself..... I also suggest looking into changing the fluid yourself.... I'd be VERY surprised if I couldn't find a way to change it myself with the help of google.

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: Transmission: let it die?

I have a 2005 Ford F-150 Super crew with the 4.6L engine and 138,000 on the odometer. The owners manual states that I should change the tranny fluid every 30,000 miles and that's what I've done. The transmission still runs strong and I've been towing my 21' boat around with ease.

I say go ahead and have the fluid changed at the Ford stealership.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Transmission: let it die?

What is the explorer worth and how much will it cost to do the maintenance and install a cooler? What is it worth to you? Now decide if the cost is less than either the car's value or its value to you. If it exceeds them, then don't do it.

Lots of Fords out there for sale.

 

[canoemang]

Re: Transmission: let it die?

You can always find an aftermarket transmission fluid pan, gives you 3 or 4 extra quarts and if you dont have one already, install an aftermarket cooler. That should manage your transmissions cooling issues.. granted this is all preventitive maint. At minimum if your mech inclined save the cash and do it yourself.

I already had the trans cooler but i added a deeper pan and sythetic fluid.. havent noticed a difference but it again is preventitive..

 

[jumpjets]

Re: Transmission: let it die?

That pretty much settles it. I'll install a cooler right away and do a fluid change myself. It doesn't look too hard. If I've done engine swaps, I can do this.

 

[justchecking]

Re: Transmission: let it die?

Your Explorer should already have a pretty good cooler (it will be between the condensor and radiator). You can see it by pulling off the plastic cover on top (I think it slides to the left then up). I would get the fluid changed every two years or so since you can't check the level or color. My original 02 trans lasted 177,000 miles. I probably didn't change the fluid the first time til about 100,000. I towed a fair amount. When towing anything heavy or with a lot of drag you should turn the overdrive off.

You can get a scangauge that plugs into the diagnostic port under the dash and read up to four 'gauges' at once including transmission fluid temperature. My fluid temp is always in the right range with the standard ford explorer trans cooler.

If you decide on electric trailer brakes the connector for the controller is behind the glove box. You can also replace the four wire connector with a new ford 7 wire. It plugs on the passenger side by the rear bumper.

 

[jumpjets]

Re: Transmission: let it die?

Your Explorer should already have a pretty good cooler (it will be between the condensor and radiator). You can see it by pulling off the plastic cover on top (I think it slides to the left then up). I would get the fluid changed every two years or so since you can't check the level or color. My original 02 trans lasted 177,000 miles. I probably didn't change the fluid the first time til about 100,000. I towed a fair amount. When towing anything heavy or with a lot of drag you should turn the overdrive off.

You can get a scangauge that plugs into the diagnostic port under the dash and read up to four 'gauges' at once including transmission fluid temperature. My fluid temp is always in the right range with the standard ford explorer trans cooler.

If you decide on electric trailer brakes the connector for the controller is behind the glove box. You can also replace the four wire connector with a new ford 7 wire. It plugs on the passenger side by the rear bumper.

Thanks for the info! I just found the trans cooler, and it's much bigger than I expected. I'll do a fluid change with full synthetic very soon. I read on explorerforum about the pre-wired trailer brake controller harness and 7pin harness hookups in the rear. I'll be modifying those as soon as i can as well.

177k is alot of miles for an explorer trans. I really hope mine lasts that long.

 

[justchecking]

Re: Transmission: let it die?

Your welcome. If you have the 1-1/4" receiver you can replace it with a 2". The plastic bumper comes off with a few clips (takes less than 10 min after you know how) then the metal bumper is held on with a few bolts (Ford started welding it in 2006). You can replace with one from a junk yard relatively cheap or a new one is only a couple hundred. I replaced mine with a 2" so I could use a weight distributing hitch some times. I do have the 3.55 rear end so I don't tow above about 3500 Lbs.

I've been doing an experiment seeing how many miles mine will go til the engine goes. However, I've spent about $4000 in repairs (trans, evaporator, wheel bearings) the last 25,000 or so. (155,000 to 180,000).

Explorer forum is a great place!

 

[jumpjets]

Re: Transmission: let it die?

Your welcome. If you have the 1-1/4" receiver you can replace it with a 2". The plastic bumper comes off with a few clips (takes less than 10 min after you know how) then the metal bumper is held on with a few bolts (Ford started welding it in 2006). You can replace with one from a junk yard relatively cheap or a new one is only a couple hundred. I replaced mine with a 2" so I could use a weight distributing hitch some times. I do have the 3.55 rear end so I don't tow above about 3500 Lbs.

I've been doing an experiment seeing how many miles mine will go til the engine goes. However, I've spent about $4000 in repairs (trans, evaporator, wheel bearings) the last 25,000 or so. (155,000 to 180,000).

Explorer forum is a great place!

I installed a valley aftermarket 2" hitch. It works great. My trailer currently weighs about ~4500lbs with the boat and fuel on board. That puts my GCWR close to 9000lbs total if I have a passenger in the explorer.

The V8 3.73 Explorer is rated at 10,000 GCWR, but my V6 3.55 is technically rated at 8000 GCWR, so I'm a bit outside fords recomended GCWR.

I figured that synthetic trans fluid, a scan gauge, functional trailer brakes, and heavy duty aftermarket Explorer brakes would keep me and surrounding traffic safe. I also drive extremely conservatively when I'm towing.

Is my logic flawed? Should I beef up my explorer, of just look for a bigger tow vehicle?

Also, double check my trailer weight logic: my boat is rated at 3300lbs dry, and I keep about 200lbs of fuel in it, and about 50lbs of gear. I am assuming my dual axle trailer weighs ~1000lbs.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Transmission: let it die?

Sounds like you have a good handle on it. I wouldn't run out and buy a bigger tow vehicle, but a 1/2 ton would be a night and day difference.
The wife's car is a 97 explorer and she's lucky to put 5000 miles a year on it now, but it went thru 4 teenagers, 3 boys, so at 90,000 the trans went. All is good now with 170k and still strong enough to take it to Ft. Lauderdale last year without a problem. Two of the boys and their wives have had a total of 4 explorers and all were without trans problems, all were high mileage when traded in.
Hmmm, wonder if they drove their explorers different than mom's ?

 

[boatnut74]

Re: Transmission: let it die?

I used to work at a Ford dealer and those transmissions were a pain to change fluid in. You could do it yourself, but it would be very messy and you would waste alot of expensive fluid. It's a poor design in my book. I like to change my fluid and filter once a year as all I really do is pulling. I have an 07 F150 that the transmission went out at 36k. Trans temp got up to 260 degrees and cooked it! I have a trans temp guage and it makes me feel at ease while towing.

 

[MarkySparky]

Re: Transmission: let it die?

That's what they told me about my 98 VW Jetta- it's tranny is supposedly "lifetime no service". BS! I just did a little searching on internet and found simple instructions to change it myself. Mine was slipping, and now its not. You will probably find with a little searching online, a fairly easy DIY method to change your own oil. Don't let naysayers scare you away from what I found to be a fairly simple job. Or, just upgrade your tow vehicle to something more powerful and serviceable. BTW, here's a couple results of a quick search: how to check oil etc.,<http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1i/bl066i.htm> and a class-action lawsuit/recall information page :<http://www.lemonlawclaims.com/2002_ford_explorer_transmission.htm>. In other words, I wouldn't just let it die. I would either trade up or service it. If you didn't want to do it yourself perhaps try a local shop rather than dealership, and let them know you researched it and its not that hard a job so they don't rip you off.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Transmission: let it die?

88000 "city miles" is nothing these days, but it pays to do your maintenance. Consider, too, what your "towing" means--short hauls <20 miles on flat land (New Bern) or 150 miles every weekend in the mountains? If the former, I wouldn't worry either--although that is a big boat you are pulling.

Now, the engine in some of the explorers is a whole 'nother problem. A minor problem at the timing "chain" and you have to buy a new engine. BTDT.

 

[justchecking]

Re: Transmission: let it die?

Yes the Explorer timing chain rattle. Mine has rattled for about 106,000 MILES. I found that certain oil filters contribute to the problem. I am currently running a valvoline oil filter which seems to be best reducing the rattle. Search ExplorerForum for info.

Since I posted back in early July I towed my camper 1100 miles passing through West Virginia and saw some pretty high temperatures on the Scangauge (it was 95F outside). The avg temp of the trans fluid is 175-180. On this trip I saw up to 224 a few times climbing hills. It would come back down when going down the other side. This was on the rebuilt trans which has 5000 on it (the explorer is at 182,000). I'm going to keep it til this set of tires wears out in about 2 years or the engine dies (it does not burn oil). The trans has a 2 yr warranty.

It tows the BOAT great!

One last thing, only get the fluid changed, don't do a flush. And another thing. If you do have a trans problem find a place that can fix it as opposed to a rebuild. Mine had a servo replaced at about 125,000 miles for a few hundred bucks, which carried me another 50,000 miles. The rebuilt trans still has that servo in it so I only paid for it once.