Bad shuttering
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Bad shuttering
Hey guys, first off, I have a '98 Expedition with the 5.4. We bought it used just recently with about 140k miles. Now it has just over 141k miles. I noticed a bad shuttering in the transmission at about 40 mph when it does not want to shift out of overdrive. This occurs mostly on hills where it needs to downshift, but also on flat ground when I need to pick up speed. With overdrive off, it is just fine and does not shutter. This past Saturday, I had the transmission flushed at a dealership to the tune of $110. They "did not notice any metal shavings in the transmission pan" so I figure my transmission is fine. Is this shuttering something I need to be worried about? Do I need to let it downshift when I start feeling the shutter so as not to further hurt the transmission? Also, will I be able to get another year out of it before I need to replace it?
On a side note, it's got a 3" body lift on it and Goodyear tires (285s) and my first tank I averaged 9 mpg and so far this tank, at 80 miles, I've been averaging 9.7.
Thanks again,
-rockstate
On a side note, it's got a 3" body lift on it and Goodyear tires (285s) and my first tank I averaged 9 mpg and so far this tank, at 80 miles, I've been averaging 9.7.
Thanks again,
-rockstate
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I don't think it's bad gas because this is my second tank from the same BP Amoco that has never given me a bad tank before.
Ibarria, would the transmission fluid be low already? It's only been two days since it's been flushed and refilled. The dealership said that it was in need of being changed but it wasn't extremely dark.
Buzzard, from what I've described, do you think I can pull another year or so out of this torque converter? My other Expedition, also a '98, has the shutter coming from a stop just after I let off the brake before I accelerate. So far, it hasn't given up, so I hope this one is in better shape than the last one.
Thanks for your quick replies,
-rockstate
Ibarria, would the transmission fluid be low already? It's only been two days since it's been flushed and refilled. The dealership said that it was in need of being changed but it wasn't extremely dark.
Buzzard, from what I've described, do you think I can pull another year or so out of this torque converter? My other Expedition, also a '98, has the shutter coming from a stop just after I let off the brake before I accelerate. So far, it hasn't given up, so I hope this one is in better shape than the last one.
Thanks for your quick replies,
-rockstate
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From: Foothills of NC
The problem you describe can also be caused by spark plugs that need changing, a bad coil pack, or a bad spark plug boot on the coil pack.
I have read on many forums your exact problem that was thought to be a torque converter, but a tune up fixed the problem.
I would bet your problem is with the #4 COP or plug, as water is bad to leak on that COP.
If the problem is indeed a torque converter, then put a tube of Dr. Tranny Instant Shudder Fix in the transmission.
LINK:http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/t...dder_fixx.html
I have used this product myself on a 95 T-bird I owned that had a bad shudder, and this stuff almost completely cured it.
A true shudder usually happens under light throtttle conditions, just as the TC starts locking up in OD, usually around 45 MPH.
I have read on many forums your exact problem that was thought to be a torque converter, but a tune up fixed the problem.
I would bet your problem is with the #4 COP or plug, as water is bad to leak on that COP.
If the problem is indeed a torque converter, then put a tube of Dr. Tranny Instant Shudder Fix in the transmission.
LINK:http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/t...dder_fixx.html
I have used this product myself on a 95 T-bird I owned that had a bad shudder, and this stuff almost completely cured it.
A true shudder usually happens under light throtttle conditions, just as the TC starts locking up in OD, usually around 45 MPH.
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Originally Posted by rockstate45
I don't think it's bad gas because this is my second tank from the same BP Amoco that has never given me a bad tank before.
Ibarria, would the transmission fluid be low already? It's only been two days since it's been flushed and refilled. The dealership said that it was in need of being changed but it wasn't extremely dark.
Buzzard, from what I've described, do you think I can pull another year or so out of this torque converter? My other Expedition, also a '98, has the shutter coming from a stop just after I let off the brake before I accelerate. So far, it hasn't given up, so I hope this one is in better shape than the last one.
Thanks for your quick replies,
-rockstate
Ibarria, would the transmission fluid be low already? It's only been two days since it's been flushed and refilled. The dealership said that it was in need of being changed but it wasn't extremely dark.
Buzzard, from what I've described, do you think I can pull another year or so out of this torque converter? My other Expedition, also a '98, has the shutter coming from a stop just after I let off the brake before I accelerate. So far, it hasn't given up, so I hope this one is in better shape than the last one.
Thanks for your quick replies,
-rockstate
Cheaper than buying and having a new converter installed!
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rockstate, that's a tough call. If you need 100% reliability, then a rebuild and toque converter replacement is probably in order. My tranny had the shudders for a couple years (regular fluid/filter changes usually helped a lot) then finally lunched itself one night after a 180 mile trip (with around 120K miles on the ticker).....thankfully I was at my "home away from home" and had other vehicles available while mine was out of commission.
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Thank you all for your replies!
yardbird, I went to O'Reilly's to see if they had any Dr. Tranny Instant Shudder Fix. Sure enough, after $7.30 I walked out of the store with a 2oz. bottle. I tried to do a little research on this site before I posted this, so is this a one bottle fix, or do I need two? Also, one person commented it might not work with Mercon V as the Mercon V fluid itself has a "friction modifier" in it. Can you tell me anything about that? On the package itself, it mentions "Do not use in CVT applications or in transmissions that require Ford Type F ATF." Thankfully, I do not run a CVT nor a Ford Type F ATF. I believe the Ford Type F is for use in older vehicles, correct?
Anyway, to recap - one or two bottles? And is it safe with the Mercon V?
Thanks again,
-rockstate
yardbird, I went to O'Reilly's to see if they had any Dr. Tranny Instant Shudder Fix. Sure enough, after $7.30 I walked out of the store with a 2oz. bottle. I tried to do a little research on this site before I posted this, so is this a one bottle fix, or do I need two? Also, one person commented it might not work with Mercon V as the Mercon V fluid itself has a "friction modifier" in it. Can you tell me anything about that? On the package itself, it mentions "Do not use in CVT applications or in transmissions that require Ford Type F ATF." Thankfully, I do not run a CVT nor a Ford Type F ATF. I believe the Ford Type F is for use in older vehicles, correct?
Anyway, to recap - one or two bottles? And is it safe with the Mercon V?
Thanks again,
-rockstate
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From: Foothills of NC
I had Mercon V in my T-bird. One tube did the trick, but if the problem is severe, two may be needed.
If the clutches in the TC are completely worn out nothing may help much.
But, I do know this stuff works great, and I had it in for 1 year before I sold the car, and as far as I know it is still going.
If the clutches in the TC are completely worn out nothing may help much.
But, I do know this stuff works great, and I had it in for 1 year before I sold the car, and as far as I know it is still going.
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Ah thank you yardbird! I'm going to dump it in tomorrow (filler tube) after I drive home from school with the transmisison warm, then take it for a drive to let the converter shift in and out.
Thank you again,
-rockstate
Thank you again,
-rockstate
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Will this Dr. Tranny product fix the shudder I'm experiencing in my other Expedition? It mostly shudders upon acceleration coming from a stop and while rolling forward after letting off the brake. It exhibits just a tid bit of shudder at 40ish but I'm more concerned about the shudder from a stop.
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Okay, I dumped it down the transmission and it seems to have calmed the shuddering. It's not completely gone but I think that one more tube may do the trick. Thanks for all your great advice and I'll let you guys know how it works with another tube down the hole if I decide to go that way.
-rockstate
-rockstate
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Well, it seems like the shuttering has disappeared. I bought a second tube this afternoon just in case. If the shuttering is for sure gone then I'm going to dump it into my other Expedition that shutters from a stop.
Btw, I'm going to hijack my own thread here but we're taking the Expedition (shuttering from a stop with 133K - that one) on a trip to South Carolina here in a few weeks for spring break from KS/MO border. Is there anything that needs to be performed before traveling that distance? It for sure needs an oil change which will be taken care of, but I'm debating on whether or not having them replace the tranny fluid. Can anybody help me out there? Also, it's in need of a starter as it will occasionally make the "screeching" sound when trying to start, then miss.
Thanks,
-rockstate
Btw, I'm going to hijack my own thread here but we're taking the Expedition (shuttering from a stop with 133K - that one) on a trip to South Carolina here in a few weeks for spring break from KS/MO border. Is there anything that needs to be performed before traveling that distance? It for sure needs an oil change which will be taken care of, but I'm debating on whether or not having them replace the tranny fluid. Can anybody help me out there? Also, it's in need of a starter as it will occasionally make the "screeching" sound when trying to start, then miss.
Thanks,
-rockstate