I really hope someone can help me. I posted about a tranny issue back in August of this year and thought it had been resolved, worked itself out, whatever the case, but yesterday it has reared its head again. A little history -2007 ford explorer, I bought the vehicle brand new, never been abused, never towed ANYTHING. Had to have tranny rebuilt at 140,000 miles. Things went fine until tranny had right at 13,000 miles - just out of warranty. Turns out that supposedly was the clutch fan - had it replaced 2 times - both with junkyard parts - new ones are extremely expensive so I thought what was the harm. Things seemed to be ok. Then first of August I had the roaring noise under the hood again but this time it was followed by an overnight leak of tranny fluid in my garage. Had it towed in. It sat at garage for 3 weeks, never did leak again, even after they drove it. Garage simply did not know how to fix so I brought it home. Probably a month or so ago I had same problem, this time had my neighbor ride with me to hear the roaring noise - he agreed with me, sounded like clutch fan again. This time I had a small tranny fluid leak under the vechile the next day. Replaced a sensor under the hood which relays information to run the fan. All has been fine until yesterday. Keep in mind it's under 40 degrees here yesterday morning. Drove the vehicle about 20 minutes, let it sit running for about 10 minutes them back home,another 20 minutes. Round trip a little less than an hour. On way home I could tell the vehicle was acting strange again - loud noise again. It's been in the garage ever since and yes, a tranny fluid leak. Now, if you put the fluid in a cup it's not even a 1/4 of a cup - it just looks like more since its on the floor but it's not that much. Any ideas as to what is going on ? I drive this vehicle 30 miles 1 way to work 5 days a week so far with no problems. For a while after the tranny fluid leak a while back I actually put a piece of cardboard under the vehicle in the parking lot so I could see if there was a fluid leak after driving to work - no leak. Good thing is the fluid is still red and there is no smell at all.
I really need help - I know this is a lot of information but this has been an ongoing problem but I can't find a common point except for driving +45 minutes. makes no sense at all. I'm afraid to go anywhere in the vehicle ! Do not want it to leave me and my 8 year old son stranded.


Thank you

 

Where did you have the trans "rebuilt" ? The reason I ask is because some places only replace parts they think are bad and don't do a thorough overhaul and replace bushings , bearings etc. If possible ,choose a factory remanufactured transmission instead of a "rebuild". A factory reman trans has all the latest updates and all new parts installed and comes with a better warranty. I realize cost is always a consideration,however, what kind of price can one put on having a vehicle that is unreliable and you are afraid to use.
There are some conflicting bits of info regarding the fan noise.
If a sensor is involved to regulate cooling fan speeds OK, but a fan clutch should not be involved/present in the system. Your vehicle should have one or the other, but not both !
How do you feel about getting a second opinion from another reliable shop?
It may be time to consider it.

 

Hey Hanky, thanks for responding. I thought the shop I had the tranny rebuilt was reliable, but the shop has since closed with no forwarding information. So, they are no help. The shop I have taken it too is very reliable, but not a transmission shop but I do trust them. I guess I just don't understand the whole clutch fan set up - I was told by another shop that my vehicle had the same set up as the diesels, whatever that means ?????
As for tranny leak, I placed a piece of cardboard under my vehicle this morning and about an hour later there was a dime/nickel sized spot of fluid that had leaked out. I had to drive it to work and drop my son off at school - total of about 30 miles, no problems to speak of. I have a piece of cardboard under it now and feel very confident there will be fluid on it when I go out and check. As for the choice for rebuilding my tranny, at the time that seemed like the better option - not just for price consideratioins, but I was thinking I knew my tranny had not been abused, etc, so really thought a rebuild would be ok. I don't understand that it only leaks every now and then ? That's puzzling.


Thanks again for your comments -