Hi I am going to be looking at a 1993 ford Explorer for sale here in Nanaimo(there asking $2,500 185,000kms)The guy says that is using tranny fluid,about a liter a month?and he uses more when he is towing his boat it doesnt leak out on the ground it just disapears!!!.Does this sound like somthing you guys have heard of before?Is there anything else i should look for when inspecting it?thanks James.

 

Well this is what I came up with on KBB.
If the trannys leaking or using fluid, with 185000 miles. Plan on having a rebuild! Maybe not right away but soon.
http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/Pric...uizConditions=

 

Sounds to me like the transmission modulator valve is bad. Pretty much everytime you're losing tranny fluid but can't find a leak, it's the modulator valve. When it fails, tranny fluid gets sucked into the combustion chamber, thus the mysterious loss of tranny fluid. Not a big deal but a pain to get to if you're doing it yourself.

You may want to ask the seller if any of the vacuum lines get blown off the vacuum tree. That's another sign of a bad modulator valve. Check the vacuum lines on the vacuum tree to see if any of them are wet. Guaranteed if one is, it'll be tranny fluid.

 

i agree with backin72. first thing i tohught of is modulator. there should be a small vacuum cylinder (modulator) on the side of the transmission, with a black vacuum hose going up to the intake manifold. the little cylinder has a diaphram inside, and it is briken.

 

The trans on a the Gen I Explorers are a weak point. A rebuild will cost 1500-2000. You should also check the radius arm bushings and look for rust in the rear dog legs and quarters.

 

most likely culprit is the vacuum modulator

 

I agree with everyone else: vacuum modulator. You can try repairing the modulator but these transmissions seem to have a life span of about 175000 miles so you would be running on borrowed time. If everything else on the Explorer is in really great shape and functioning properly then buying it might be a consideration, but not for $2500. You should also ask if the lower intake manifold gasket and head gaskets have been replaced. Can we assume it's 4WD? If so, does it have manual locking hubs or the original auto hubs?

I have a '91 4WD that I've owned for many years and I'd pay for the rebuilt trans to keep it running but I'm very attached to it and it runs really great.

 

Well if it helps you out I bought a 92 explorer, 2 years ago with 95,000mi and no leaks for $1800 US, and doesn't use any fluids, and runs like a champ.

 

One, this guys asking price is too high. 2, a transmission that looses fluid has more than likely run low on fluid. Low fluid will damage the transmission, so it is probably a time bomb. It is possible that the modulator just needs to be replaced and all will go well. But if the transmission has overheated as a result of running low on fluid, you will be possibly looking at a partial rebuild at some point in is not to distant future. This being the case, if the price was somewhere in the $1500 - $2000 range, it might be worth considering.

 

I agree. Use that theory to try and get him down to about $1800. If you do, you either get a deal by only having to replace the modulator valve or you have a little extra cash to put towards any tranny repairs.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

 

Hi. I have a 1993 Explorer just reaching 185,000 miles. This car has been a GREAT CAR, with literally no problems other than, water pump, fan clutch, & thermostat. Today the transmission slipped out of gear on the freeway going about 70MPH. After getting off the freeway it would not get out of second gear. When I went to park it, I put it in reverse and it started to move forward, but acted like it wanted to go in reverse. I put some fluid in and drove it home.
Everything I have read seems to indicated these A4LD tranny's don't last much more than 175,000 miles. I am going to change the filter and gasket for now, and go from there, but I am no tranny expert.

I LOVE MY EXPLORER, and do not want to "PUT ITTO REST," if you will. My finances are tight right now and I myself am also wondering if mine is going to start becoming a money pit.

 

They don't last more than 175,000 miles with the factory bands and the typical maintenance they receive, which is a fluid change only after they start to act up. When you get one rebuild, you can beef up a lot of the components, stronger bands, better stronger torque converter, increased pressure, and add a better tranny cooler for good measure. When properly maintained with better components, you can get over 250,000 miles without another rebuild. The next rebuild will likely be just a partial rebuild.

Find a reputable tranny shop, one where the owner is in shop, and prefferably one that is not a chain. Many will do a free initial diagnosis and test drive, otherwise they will have to do a RDI, which does cost a bit more, but allows them to fully determine the transmissions condition. Don't pursure the RDI unless you are planning on actually fixing it. Use your own best judgement and decide on the condition of the rest of the vehicle. If the engine is good and strong, and the body is in good condition, a rebuild may be well worth it.

 

I am having some trouble with shifting into reverse. It shifts in fine but makes a "thunk" and jerks the truck. You mentioned the radius arm bushings. MIne are shot but I was thinking that I would fix them when I did a suspension lift. Can you elaborate on how they might affect the transmision? If it could help solve my problem, I may do it now.

U joints, differential, rear suspension and fluid levels are all good. Tranny flushed.

 

I am having some trouble with shifting into reverse. It shifts in fine but makes a "thunk" and jerks the truck. You mentioned the radius arm bushings. MIne are shot but I was thinking that I would fix them when I did a suspension lift. Can you elaborate on how they might affect the transmision? If it could help solve my problem, I may do it now.

U joints, differential, rear suspension and fluid levels are all good. Tranny flushed.

 

after 3 tranny swaps you will get good at it