93 Explorer transmission slips

hikerdude · 07-30-2009, 10:49 PM

It's a 4x4 with about 146,000 miles. I have periodically dropped the pan and changed the filter and fluid in the pan, so I thought I was doing fine. Never a problem until it started not shifting out of first gear in the morning. After a few miles it would work fine. Then I was in the mountains in 95 degree heat and I started smelling trans fluid. A garage put it on the rack and said it had overheated and blew some fluid out the front seal . But it still ran ok. Later when it was cool I added a quart. At home I replaced the modulator and changed the fluid and filter. The pan was full of black mud-like residue and lots of metal shavings. After that, it still wouldn't upshift when cold but shifts fine for a few miles. Then when it's hot, the trans completely stops working: engine races, nothing happens in any gear!

What to do? If it is shot I,m looking at spending the value of the car in repairs. Would some additive like Lucas Oil work? Any ideas would be appreciated!

batty1214 · 07-30-2009, 10:55 PM

At the point you are at, your trans is fried..... I just had to have a 4l85e rebuilt for the same thing in on of the work trucks...... Ive never tried lucas, But I am doubting itll do anything worth while...... you may look into the cash for clunkers if it doesn't bother you knowing itll donate a few parts and then be squished.. motor and trans will both be recycled......

Case 7230 · 07-31-2009, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by batty1214

At the point you are at, your trans is fried..... I just had to have a 4l85e rebuilt for the same thing in on of the work trucks...... Ive never tried lucas, But I am doubting itll do anything worth while...... you may look into the cash for clunkers if it doesn't bother you knowing itll donate a few parts and then be squished.. motor and trans will both be recycled......

The "black mud" says it all, like he says the trans is toast.

hikerdude · 08-02-2009, 03:22 PM

Thanks for the replys. guess I'll have to decide whether to part it out or look for a rebuilt trans.

hotrodpc · 08-29-2009, 01:29 AM

Yes, Sorry Hiker.. The black mud is your clutches. You open that trans up and most of your clutches will be nothing left but thin pieces of metal that your friction material USED to be bonded too. Those disks and your seperator steels will be all kinds of pretty colors, like Blue, purple, yellow, but mostly black. Thats what happens to metal when it gets that hot. So if you do rebuild it, also plan on replacing the steels too. Many times you can reuse the old ones, but not in this case. This trans did not simply wear out, it cooked. So when you order your kit, order w/ steels.

PS OH, and welcome to the forum !!!

07-30-2009, 10:49 PM	#1
hikerdude Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4	93 Explorer transmission slips It's a 4x4 with about 146,000 miles. I have periodically dropped the pan and changed the filter and fluid in the pan, so I thought I was doing fine. Never a problem until it started not shifting out of first gear in the morning. After a few miles it would work fine. Then I was in the mountains in 95 degree heat and I started smelling trans fluid. A garage put it on the rack and said it had overheated and blew some fluid out the front seal . But it still ran ok. Later when it was cool I added a quart. At home I replaced the modulator and changed the fluid and filter. The pan was full of black mud-like residue and lots of metal shavings. After that, it still wouldn't upshift when cold but shifts fine for a few miles. Then when it's hot, the trans completely stops working: engine races, nothing happens in any gear! What to do? If it is shot I,m looking at spending the value of the car in repairs. Would some additive like Lucas Oil work? Any ideas would be appreciated!

08-02-2009, 03:22 PM	#4
hikerdude Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4	93 Explorer transmission slips Thanks for the replys. guess I'll have to decide whether to part it out or look for a rebuilt trans.

08-29-2009, 01:29 AM	#5
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,149	Yes, Sorry Hiker.. The black mud is your clutches. You open that trans up and most of your clutches will be nothing left but thin pieces of metal that your friction material USED to be bonded too. Those disks and your seperator steels will be all kinds of pretty colors, like Blue, purple, yellow, but mostly black. Thats what happens to metal when it gets that hot. So if you do rebuild it, also plan on replacing the steels too. Many times you can reuse the old ones, but not in this case. This trans did not simply wear out, it cooked. So when you order your kit, order w/ steels. PS OH, and welcome to the forum !!! __________________ *Winners NEVER Quit , Quitters NEVER Win !!!*

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07-30-2009, 10:55 PM	#2
batty1214 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vernal Utah Posts: 1,135	At the point you are at, your trans is fried..... I just had to have a 4l85e rebuilt for the same thing in on of the work trucks...... Ive never tried lucas, But I am doubting itll do anything worth while...... you may look into the cash for clunkers if it doesn't bother you knowing itll donate a few parts and then be squished.. motor and trans will both be recycled......