possible trans problem?? 2003 explorer
 

have had my explorer for less than a week and i think there is a problem.

there is a sound coming from somewhere that sounds like a diesel, makes a quiet diesl engine type noise at idle and while accelorating but goes completly away when it hits 4th (or 5th) gear and/or 45mph, almopst like when the rpms drop below 2000.

i have checked heat shields, this and that and listened to it while idling and it seems to be coming from behind the engine, hard to say specifically.

i been reading around and people seem to mention the torque converter as the problem.

i just bought the thing last wednesday, it was fine then maybe but probably not, it is hard to notice the noise but now very noticable.

the dealer i bought from is pretty darn far away from here, can i go to the local dealer for this problem? the car has an extended warranty on it also.

how long will it last? my vacation time is coming up in a week and would hate to have to cancel because the dang new car is held up in the shop or broke down on the road somewhere.

other than the noise, the car does fine.

thanks.

by the way, it is a 2003 4x4 v8.

If it's a Ford ESP then any Ford dealer will work on it. I don't know if the '03s needed the tranny additive; have the VIN checked to see. Good luck!

Steve

the warranty i bought is "mastertech" it says from the little booklet thingy they gave me for it. the explorer has 54k miles on it.

I will be very interested in what you discover. I also have an 03, 4.6L 4X4 with what sounds like the exact same problem. So far I haven't been able to figure it out, although I have suspected the torque converter because the noise goes away when the TC locks up. I am recovering from a broken leg and haven't been able to get under it and try to isolate the noise. Keep us "posted".

i will keep posted but trying to find time to go, plus i really do not have the money for a "diagnosis" only to be constantly told i do not have a problem.

or worst, they want to yank my trans and replace right before i go on vacation, and then not get the thing back together or have it put together wrong while gone.

i will probably take it to the local dealer tomorrow or friday, getting the wondows tinted on thursday.

Find a transmission shop that is willing to do a free initial diagnosis. MY local shop is more than willing to test drive it, and they know what kind of problems are typical and how to expose them. I would agree that the torque converter, is probably at fault here.