I am having a problem that is probably not unique, but I can not get any results when I search the forum for answers...I am sure it is user error but I am frustrated as hell on getting answers out of this site.
Anyway, my truck issue is that my transmission started acting up today. Shifting from 1st to 2nd is delayed and 2nd to 3rd is also. If I hit the gas in 3rd it will react and then act like it is in neutral with no response from the accelerator other than a revving engine. I also have no reverse. I recently did the service on the tranny with new fluid and filter. Filled it with high mileage Valvoline Dex/Merc. I checked the fluid today and it is full and pink, so everything appears to be fine there.

Any help on this topic or my inability to come up with any results when I search this topic in the forums would be appreciated.

Jason
2001 f150 supercrew

 

It sounds like it is slipping from your post. When you say "with no response from the accelerator other than a revving engine" it sounds like the plates are not contacting well and your tranny is slipping. Mine did that recently and we had to do a rebuild. Turned out it had scored the back of the drive where the fluid actually pressurizes the discs - I'm not really sure how it all works so don't take my description as gospel - but it had to be sleeved when it was rebuilt.

One other thing - you said you used Dex/Merc but I thought this took Mercon 5 which was somewhat hard to find around here. I had to go to about 5 stores before I found one that had 16 quarts of a single brand.

 

Sounds like ya need a rebuild to me.

 

That is what I am expecting. I am researching this a little bit to see what direction I want to go. How long should I expect a rebuilt to last? A mechanic who is not a transmission expert told me probably 50K. He also said I could buy a new transmission from Ford if I wanted to have a longer life out of it. I am going to start comparing prices to see what makes sense.

Jason Harmon
2001 supercrew

 

Mjunk1 -

On the topic of the fluid I used. According to the bottle it is suitable for use where MerconV is called for in Fords models except those requiring MerconSP or Type F. So, I believe I used a suitable fluid based on what I read.

Jason Harmon
2001 supercrew

 

You can get a Ford remanufactured tranny for about $16 or $1800. And it comes with a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty.
That would be better and last longer then any rebuild in my opinion.

 

Thanks for the input. My dealer is telling me it would start around $3,500, which means it could be north of $4k, to get the remanufactured option installed. I agree the warranty is superior, but I do not feel that cost justifies that piece of mind. I am going to have it rebuilt for about half that cost because this is not a vehicle that leaves town often, and realistically I will be looking for a replacement vehicle within the next 24 months.

I will follow up once I know what went wrong so others can be armed with the information.

Jason Harmon
2001 Supercrew

 

Hey Phil6608,

Thinking about your suggestion, so I called the dealer and the cost on the tranny (not including installation) would be $2,400, so obviously out here in Cali we don't get the best prices. Still going to go the rebuilt route, but I do appreciate your opinion...I agree that if I planned to keep this vehicle longer it would be the best course of action.

Jason Harmon
2001 Supercrew

 

Sorry Jason,
I was just going by what others have found.. Looks like this guys getting a good deal by knowing someone!
http://www.f150online.com/forums/tra...ufactured.html

If your not planing on keeping the truck then the rebuilt would be your better more cost effective option.

 

Try sending a PM to user FTEPartsGuy.

 

Just a follow up to mine. The guy that rebuilt my tranny is excellent and a personal friend. I know how he works and he has had a tranny shop in the past. He said there is just no real rhyme or reason to trannies. Much less predictable than an engine. Some last 50k, some last 200k. He says you honestly can't predict it that well. He did use the upgraded rebuild kit and it shifts better now - especially downshifting. Previously it would kick down and throw you back but now you can actually feel it go through the gears as it kicks down. It was a Transgo kit I think.

So far it has been great. Shifts a bit harder from 1st to second at partial throttle, but otherwise smooth as can be.

I think there was a place out of Atlanta that did rebuilts with a 3 year warranty. You might check ebay as I think that was where I found them. Good luck. I know from personal experience what a bummer this is.

One last thing - pulling it was hard, but not the end of the world and saves a ton of money. Just a thought.

 

Jason,

I don't know exactly where you are located but here is the name of a great trans shop, been in business for years (30), knows the Ford AOD's and prices are very resonable!!!!
Stu’s AE Transmission Exchange 5531 Cherry Ave Long Beach, Ca 562-428-4641

 

Hello all,

I am back on the road after the rebuild. Mechanic said the tranny was in perfect condition except for the piece that broke related to the reverse gear. He said it was obvious that I take good care of the truck. He extended the warranty to 18K miles because of this. I also asked him what will happen if it fails outside the immediate area, and he said he would go get the truck and tow it back to our area for $100, so I feel like he'll stand behind his work. Hopefully this will not be needed.
I have been happy overall with this truck so far, but I question how reliable it will be now that I have 114K after this experience. I appreciate the reply in this thread that relates the mechanic's comment on transmissions in general and how their life is unpredictable, but this just seems too soon for this to occur. I maintain my truck, not just oil changes, but everything my Hanes calls for at the correct intervals. It probably has less than 5K towing, and that towing has always been less than 3K pounds. I had three Nissan trucks without any issues; one with many more miles. The first Nissan was my first vehicle as a teenager, so you can bet it was not the easy driving approach I now apply. I bought the Ford before the imports offered four full doors because I have a family now and wanted the comfort. Another large truck probably would not be a consideration because I expect gas to return to over $4 sooner than later, and I don't "need" a truck for work. But, while my challenges have been limited, I would like to buy a vehicle with the possibile expectation that it would not have a big issue like this when it is well maintained and driven with care. I have been thinking about an Explorer sometime down the road, but now I am not so sure.

Jason
2001 SC 5.4

 

That piece that broke would likely be the sun shell. I bet the gear broke loose and was spinning on the shell.

I have started to see these more and more and that concerns me a little. I am watching the years doing it now to try and find a pattern.

Darrin

 

I am in the process of research tonight. My truck ('03 F150 SCrew 4x4, 6" lift w/35's and stock gearing) started acting up tonight as I hopped on the freeway - overrevving but not going anywhere when OD was 'on'. I turned it 'off' and it drove fine. I also tried reverse it there is nothing there except revs. The truck has around 63K. Eeeks!!! This is my back-up vehicle so I don't want to spend a ton of money to repair. Any tranny shops recommended in Nor Cal East Bay?