Problems. First time "hearing" the wifes Escape
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 920
Likes: 7
From: Mazon, IL
Problems. First time "hearing" the wifes Escape
I'm usually on the 7.3 diesel forum, but today, I am for the first time, messing with the wife's Escape.
We recently replaced the factory tires on the wife's V6 05 Escape 4WD at 90K miles. Holy crap, I can't believe how much road noise came from the factory tires. Now the problems. Today, I drove it for the first time without the road noise and this is what concerns me. The automatic trans sounds a little funny as it hits OD. Every time I checked into it, I was told that the trans was "non-servicable" BUT, there is a dipstick tube and when checking the fluid, it is starting to darken and smelling slightly burnt and I'm thinking that at minimum, it needs a fluid change. So what is the true deal?
Secondly, as I am rolling at slow speed and shake the steering wheel side to side, I hear a thump in the front end. Sitting still, it doesn't do it, but idling forward, it does. Any ideas?
We recently replaced the factory tires on the wife's V6 05 Escape 4WD at 90K miles. Holy crap, I can't believe how much road noise came from the factory tires. Now the problems. Today, I drove it for the first time without the road noise and this is what concerns me. The automatic trans sounds a little funny as it hits OD. Every time I checked into it, I was told that the trans was "non-servicable" BUT, there is a dipstick tube and when checking the fluid, it is starting to darken and smelling slightly burnt and I'm thinking that at minimum, it needs a fluid change. So what is the true deal?
Secondly, as I am rolling at slow speed and shake the steering wheel side to side, I hear a thump in the front end. Sitting still, it doesn't do it, but idling forward, it does. Any ideas?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 828
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Yep, you need a fluid change and make sure they same fluid is used as it came with. Sway bar links are a common wear item with that many miles. The factory tires were probably Conti's and they get notoriously loud as the miles pile up.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
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Not many people do this, but I exchange 4 qts of trans fluid, the amount that is the trans pan, every other oil change (about every 8000 miles or so). The CD4E is the weak link in the Escape, so far, knock on wood, after 119000 miles no problems with the tranny.
If you want to spend time and the money for tranny fluid, you can do 3 fills and drains in succession. You will have about 85 to 90 percent new fluid in your transmission by doing this.
Also make sure you use the right fluid. The 2003 still used the old Mercon fluid. NOT Mercon V. And no matter what Ford says, Mercon V is NOT backwards compatible. You can't use Mercon V in a trans that requires the old Mercon. Have heard too many cases of people doing this and then having problems with the CD4E.
If you want to spend time and the money for tranny fluid, you can do 3 fills and drains in succession. You will have about 85 to 90 percent new fluid in your transmission by doing this.
Also make sure you use the right fluid. The 2003 still used the old Mercon fluid. NOT Mercon V. And no matter what Ford says, Mercon V is NOT backwards compatible. You can't use Mercon V in a trans that requires the old Mercon. Have heard too many cases of people doing this and then having problems with the CD4E.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 39
From: suburban atlanta
I will have to argue against the idea that Ford doesn't know what kind of transmission fluid to put in their product. If they say Mercon V will replace Mercon, I believe them. Mercon V is specified to be synthetic based, and thus much less sensitive to breakdown from heat.
If I were changing mine, I'd go with the Mercon V for that reason alone. Unless I was going to change it every 6 months like tonyford. You would save a few $$ with Mercon...
There are many things to 'thump' in the front suspension and steering. Look for tie rod ends, sway bar links to have too much clearance. Check all the rubber mounts such as the rack and sway bar for tightness or deterioration from lubricants and age. The rack could also have internal play or the inner tie rod ends could have loosness. Most of those would make noise if you moved the steeriing while the engine was off and the vehicle at rest. That would be a good thing to check with a second set of ears under or near under the vehicle.
tom
If I were changing mine, I'd go with the Mercon V for that reason alone. Unless I was going to change it every 6 months like tonyford. You would save a few $$ with Mercon...
There are many things to 'thump' in the front suspension and steering. Look for tie rod ends, sway bar links to have too much clearance. Check all the rubber mounts such as the rack and sway bar for tightness or deterioration from lubricants and age. The rack could also have internal play or the inner tie rod ends could have loosness. Most of those would make noise if you moved the steeriing while the engine was off and the vehicle at rest. That would be a good thing to check with a second set of ears under or near under the vehicle.
tom
Last edited by tomw; Feb 22, 2011 at 05:32 AM. Reason: more
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