Are the transmission problems avoidable??
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Are the transmission problems avoidable??
Are the transmission problems (2004) avoidable? was this the first year with the sealed transmission? Due to the fact that it is not easy to check the transmission fluid, do most of us just wait until there is a problem to get it checked? I know I did with my 2005 4.0 and paid the price.
I ask because I found a nice 04 V8 4x4 with low miles. I thought that the V8 was a more reliable platform, but it seems they have their share of problems.
If I flush the transmission fluid once a year would that prevent this problem? Or is it a design flaw which will inevitable happen?
Thanks for any replies.
I ask because I found a nice 04 V8 4x4 with low miles. I thought that the V8 was a more reliable platform, but it seems they have their share of problems.
If I flush the transmission fluid once a year would that prevent this problem? Or is it a design flaw which will inevitable happen?
Thanks for any replies.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
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I have a 2002 I bought with 20K miles. I took off the pan , cleaned and added the new 5 quarts in the pan at 30K miles. I did that again at 80K... I did that again at 130K... It now has 175K miles and shifts great. I never flushed the system, just cleaned the pan and new filter and 5 new quarts ( holds 13 total I think).
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So I have this theory, after many hours of reading, that the transmissions are not that bad. The main problem is the enclosed transmission. Also, add the fact that even in Ford's maintenance schedule Maintenance Schedules | fleet.ford.com (v6 2wd) does not give a specific mileage to change the fluid, only to check every 15,000 miles. So if ignored or forgotten, it seems like it would lead to many problems. Does this sound accurate to any of you?
Also does the V8 have the 5R55E transmission? I am having trouble find out?
Thanks for responses.
Also does the V8 have the 5R55E transmission? I am having trouble find out?
Thanks for responses.
Last edited by Dangwillo; Jan 8, 2015 at 02:07 PM. Reason: added link
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Best I can tell is it is a 5 speed.
IMO they are bad. Why must you change fluid so often to avoid failure? Not many other transmissions require this. Also, they drilled the servo bores into buttery aluminum. Good enough to make it past the warranty period I suppose.
I like the ratios, and when they work they are great.
FWIW, Ford never fixed these, even in Mustangs.
If it shifts good now, keep the fluid clean and drive on.
IMO they are bad. Why must you change fluid so often to avoid failure? Not many other transmissions require this. Also, they drilled the servo bores into buttery aluminum. Good enough to make it past the warranty period I suppose.
I like the ratios, and when they work they are great.
FWIW, Ford never fixed these, even in Mustangs.
If it shifts good now, keep the fluid clean and drive on.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
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transmission is electronic and has several solenoids and small piston bores... trash is your enemy.. You may not have to change oil every 50K miles, but WHY take that chance ? Your not changing the whole 13 qts, just getting any CRUD out of the pan and refreshing the oil with 5 new quarts........... Worst problem I think is NO DIP STICK... nobody checks the system and can be run LOW on fluid without knowing.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2006
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I haven't done anything to mine in 143K and its still fine. Early on at 4K and 8K (i think) the solenoid pack had been replaced under warranty. Other than that it has never been into or had any service done.
I don't baby it either, it regularly seen full throttle and full throttle shifts.
Occasionally there is a rough shift or delay when going between drive and reverse but it's rare.
BTW it's a v8 4.6 if that makes a difference.
I don't baby it either, it regularly seen full throttle and full throttle shifts.
Occasionally there is a rough shift or delay when going between drive and reverse but it's rare.
BTW it's a v8 4.6 if that makes a difference.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 96
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From: Elkridge, MD
I delayed changing the transmission fluid and filter in my 04 Explorer (125k miles) from fear of the unknown. After researching and collecting all the tools (listed below) I needed to perform the job correctly, it was really very simple and I wish I had changed it earlier. Make sure you clean the magnet inside the pan (mine had minor amounts of fine metal on it). Here's a list of what you will need:
New filter
New transmission pan gasket (they are reusable, I put a new one on)
5qt. Mercon 5 transmission fluid
Pump to refill transmission with fluid: Performance Tools Fluid Oil Pump W1139: Advance Auto Parts
OTC transmission fluid fill adapter: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/OTC-6604
Torx T-30 drive to remove the drain plug
10mm socket for the pan bolts
Hope this helps!
New filter
New transmission pan gasket (they are reusable, I put a new one on)
5qt. Mercon 5 transmission fluid
Pump to refill transmission with fluid: Performance Tools Fluid Oil Pump W1139: Advance Auto Parts
OTC transmission fluid fill adapter: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/OTC-6604
Torx T-30 drive to remove the drain plug
10mm socket for the pan bolts
Hope this helps!
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I took my 05 explorer to have the transmission fluid changed yesterday. I had a discussion with the manager and he said while the Explorers were bad (he had seen them with less than 40,000 miles go out), he said some Honda and VW were worse.
The manager also mentioned something to this effect. I asked him if they could evaluate the transmission of a potential used car I want to buy, and he said it would be best to take it to a dealer where they could do a 100 point inspection. He gave me the advice of checking the transmission by shifting thur the Reverse and Drive checking for delays or hard shifting.
He also did told me that it sounds like my rear diff is going out (it makes a whining noise in conjunction with acceleration). I thought it was a wheel bearing, but after reading up, I concur with their diagnoses. I may just pass on the 04.
Also, they drilled the servo bores into buttery aluminum. Good enough to make it past the warranty period I suppose.
He also did told me that it sounds like my rear diff is going out (it makes a whining noise in conjunction with acceleration). I thought it was a wheel bearing, but after reading up, I concur with their diagnoses. I may just pass on the 04.
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From: South Mississippi
The 5R55 S/W
In most cases you can stop the wine in Explorer rear ends by adding a small bottle of conditioner made by Ford for the Explorer rear end. On one of my 05 Explorers we never touched the transmission until 150K miles when it went nuts. When we began draining the oil it was very thick lots of metal very little oil. When it was torn down the complete overdrive band, clutches, drum and planetary had to be replaced the rest of the transmission looked almost new the servo bores were very tight. We replaced the torque converter because of the fact we did not want what was left in it back in the transmission. This is a 5R55S.
My other 05 Explorer has had the transmission serviced about every 50K miles and still going at 175K the long and short of this I must agree with Steve 100% if you want to keep it going you must service it.
My other 05 Explorer has had the transmission serviced about every 50K miles and still going at 175K the long and short of this I must agree with Steve 100% if you want to keep it going you must service it.
Senior User
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There is no such thing as a "sealed" transmission, just as there is no sealed differential. Both engines used in 2004, 4.0L SOHC V-6 and 4.6L OHC V-8 used the same automatic transmission, 5R55S.
The 5R55S may have fluid added fairly easily by removing a threaded access plug located at the right rear of the case, above the top of the oil pan impish
The 5R55S may have fluid added fairly easily by removing a threaded access plug located at the right rear of the case, above the top of the oil pan impish
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,066
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From: North Texas
over 220K on my old 04 Explorer on the factory trans. It had the solenoid pack done by dealer at 30K and again at around 60K. Then it got flushed by proxy at 74K when they did a pan gasket. It hasn't been touched since and shifts as good as you could expect for the miles. I did see a few torn down in the trans shop and its true that the servos are bored into soft metal and they eventually wear that bore out. There are aftermarket parts that are supposed to cure this but the trans guy said he has seen a few cases so worn out that even the new parts wouldn't work in them. 50K trans flushes are cheap and easy compared to replacing it though.
Last edited by 05MilMachine; Jan 25, 2015 at 12:00 PM. Reason: spelling
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