On my last trip down my overdrive light started flashing and I could hear a squeal when I stopped. If I put it in neutral the squeal went away. Anyone
have a guess what I'm dealing with and is there someone in the Mulege area that can work on (repair) transmissions?mulegejim - 12-28-2013 at 05:39 PM
I would start with Marcos under the bridge. I am sure you will get a lot of opinions.....Marcos has done well for me over the years.luv2fish - 12-28-2013 at 05:47 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Russ
On my last trip down my overdrive light started flashing and I could hear a squeal when I stopped. If I put it in neutral the squeal went away. Anyone
have a guess what I'm dealing with and is there someone in the Mulege area that can work on (repair) transmissions?
Hi Russ, I had a similar problem with a similar vehicle. Start with the easy stuff i.e. fluids also on the bottom of the truck right side of the trans
is a vacuum line, check that because they get brittle and break. Good luck...........Bob and Susan - 12-28-2013 at 06:23 PM
russ
end the pain...no rebuilders here
take the trans out and haul it north where there are parts
transmissions are tricky and one broken part inside means rebuildingncampion - 12-28-2013 at 07:04 PM
Don't know if you think you can get it to Loreto, but we have a pretty good trans guy here. Ruben is his name, but he is semi-retired and is not open
all the time. I could try to get a phone number if you're interested.mulegejim - 12-28-2013 at 07:39 PM
Check your U2U.Ken Cooke - 12-28-2013 at 07:56 PM
When I lost my Ford Ranger 4.0l transmission up in the Sierra San Pedro Martir, I could have had the truck towed to Ensenada and bolted in a similar
unit, but I towed it to the US where I really paid a pretty penny to have it rebuilt. $2,500.00 and 2 years later, the engine developed a misfire in
one of the cylinders. I sold it.Russ - 12-29-2013 at 06:00 AM
I googled it and there are a lot of things that could be faulty. Mostly with the torque converter. I'm hoping it's one of the easy fix problems
-----Bob and Susan - 12-29-2013 at 06:38 AM
russ...the torque converter is attached to the trans and uses the oil from the trans...
inside the trans, are little valves that open and close...really little
when a torque converter fails metal shavings get into the oil...
you need to rebuild...
you can't just replace the torque converter and the oil...
the trans is friedRuss - 12-29-2013 at 07:11 AM
I fear you are right but I have to try to get it so I can get it North.bledito - 12-29-2013 at 07:21 AM
they don't build em like they used to. plastic parts in an engine timing belt usually snaps on the explorers after 70,000 milesHook - 12-29-2013 at 07:27 AM
Russ, do a search on youtube, if you havent already. It could be something as simple as a valve body gasket that has failed. If the valve body gasket
fails, it plays havoc with the pressures that the valves need. You can fix THAT if you can get a gasket and if it's the problem.
Those Ford trannies of that era were definitely problematic.
I read that your Explorer actually doesnt have a tranny dipstick. Is that true?Russ - 12-29-2013 at 08:06 AM
Hook, Your right, NO dip stick. And much of what I've researched says it maybe the valve body gasket and that what i hope it is.Pescador - 12-29-2013 at 10:43 AM
Russ, I think that Jaime in Santa Rosalia is much better equipped and trained to do that kind of work. He is up by the Telmex office. I have a
number if you are interested.Russ - 12-29-2013 at 12:06 PM
Yes Please
Quote:
Originally posted by Pescador
Russ, I think that Jaime in Santa Rosalia is much better equipped and trained to do that kind of work. He is up by the Telmex office. I have a
number if you are interested.
willyAirstream - 12-29-2013 at 12:49 PM
Also, there is Alphonso, the tranny guy in the 3bay garage, east side of highway just north of town, just past the car wash. MulegeDavidE - 12-29-2013 at 01:16 PM
NIX NIX NIX the idea of yanking the tranny. The Ford dealer in La Paz has a computer diagnostic machine for transmissions BUT Mexican cars use a
different control system and servos (and ECU).
The ECU and sensors can cause horrible control problems. It's worse than a waste of time to try to allow a mechanic who does not rebuild regular
transmissions never mind an ECU (electronic computer controlled unit) try and figure this out.
If you cover the basic checks, listed above and have no joy, my opinion is to head north. Baby the hell out of the tranny climbing La Cuesta del
Diablo outside of Sta Rosalia. Stop in San Ignacio and pull the dipstick. Is is smoking hot? The trip ends there. Stop again, and do the same thing in
Guerrero, and Cataviņa. Check the temperature of the dip stick. It will be hot but not insanely so. Keep you speed down on the highway. Check the rear
of the vehicle for spots of tranny oil which is a bad sign. End of trip time.
I wouldn't want to try a transmission overhaul in Mulege any more than I would a kidney transplant.KurtG - 12-29-2013 at 01:18 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by bledito
they don't build em like they used to. plastic parts in an engine timing belt usually snaps on the explorers after 70,000 miles
Our 2000 4.0 Explorer has 260,000 miles and the engine has never been touched except for intake manifold gasket and a thermostat housing. Tranny was
replaced under warranty very early on and has been trouble free since. BTW, our tranny does have a dipstick.Russ - 12-29-2013 at 01:45 PM
DavidE , Thanks. That's pretty scary stuff. I hadn't planned to have the trans dropped. I am going to check the fluid and pull the neg battery
terminal and let it sit over night and then go thru the procedure to let the computers reload. Then I'll take it into either Mulege or SR and have
them drop the pan and check for any metal or other junk that would tell me the trans is messed up. If it's clean then I'll have them pull & clean
the valve body and put every thing back together and limp home or take the truck up and get parts. That's today's plan.
I do appreciate all your comments.... thanks
edit:
Of what I'm reading this tranny is 2002 on and is a 5 speed, no dip stick. I'll call Ford and ask to talk to a tranny tech also.
[Edited on 12-29-2013 by Russ]DavidE - 12-29-2013 at 03:40 PM
If you need to go north for a tranny or major hard parts, first stop in Sta Rosalia at ADUANA (the port dept) with a letter from a mechanic stating
clearly NO HAY REFRACCIONES EN MEXICO PARA ESTE MODELO
This will serve to get you back through the border tax free. Of course the aduaneros may IMPLY the passage through their office may be a little faster
with a tip. Use your judgement.
The only complete transmissions for a Ford that are dynamometer tested to work correctly are genuine Ford remaunufactured transmissions.
A squeal can mean a "belt" or it can mean a ready-to-fail bushing. Try driving the car with the transmission selector set to ignore "overdrive". If
the squeal and blinking light go away it is a hopeful sign. If not, the transmission definitely has a "control" problem. The transmission may be
seeking to run in overdrive and direct high gear at the same time. Needless to say this would be a "code blue" emergency. Try operating the car in 2nd
gear. If it works OK, i can tell you getting home at 40 mph is a hell of a lot better than on the end of a hook.
La Paz is not a choice option. The mechanic is only so-so transmission savvy and the parts department looks like field mice have emptied it.
Check before you do a damned thing, to see if the fluid for this model transmission is available in Mulege. Some newer ATF must be used, such as
synthetic or in my Dodge or failure will occur in a few thousand miles. Ford is the resource for accuracy. Your owner's manual would be reliable.
Gobs of black goo on a transmission pan consist of clutch and band friction material. Brass for bushings and steel shavings for pump gouges. No
transmission with your mileage will be free of goo or shavings but there is a limit that is "permissible". Anything that would clog a valve body
orifice would have to be shaved off the transmission after the filter. Look at the filter element. Is it fabric or screen? A screen is likely to suck
up garbage send it to the pump then from there onto the torque and control systems.
The "squeal" part bothers me.Russ - 12-29-2013 at 04:13 PM
Damn --- Ford will be twice as expensive but I don't want to have problems after problems. I just had Ford do a "transmission fluid exchange" and the
bill says they did an ATF flush. I had asked for a fluid and filter change and was told there was no filter.woody with a view - 12-29-2013 at 04:14 PM
they do a powerized flush instead of draining the fluid. most filters are just a screen that aren't worth changing.
