Transmission went BOOM
 

Last year I was driving home form the Fire Academy after a day of teaching. I noticed that my engine/transmission seemed to be lugging and the power band felt like I had lost a few cylinders. I checked my Edge CTS and I was not throwing any codes. During my 90 mile drive home things were not getting any better and I decide to call my Ford Service Manager (a buddy of mine) to see if I could get the truck in the next day for a lookey-loo, told him what was going on and got booked for the next morning.

The following morning I was driving to the dealer and it was very obvious that the transmission was acting up - stall shifts, extra hard in put, slipping. As I drove into the dealers lot the engine diagnostic screen threw a check transmission message and then BOOM...transmission was done. I coasted up to the service trailer.

Three days later and $3K, I have a rebuilt and guaranteed Ford transmission installed. The transmission tech said that the inside was hosed and he had no reason as to why this happened - something about a main planetary dropping. He stated that he had seen this on numerous occasions with the pre-2004's, but this was the first one he had encountered on the 2004.

This is what the bottom of the pan looked like:
https://www.f150-forums.com/attachme...1&d=1295115908

Ya, that's never a good sign inside a transmission. I've seen a few with chunks.

Yeah, definitely not good.

It's a little chunky in the debris pile. From what I heard what was left inside the case was horrific!

A little bit like this?
Attachment 1918

That's semi-chunky! :)

Seems like I read about more and more horror stories with the 04-08 trannys, hope I don't find out the way you did. Almost seems like it's just a time bomb waiting to go off!

X2. I really don't feel like throwing down 3 grand ATM lol

Yea, these threads make me paranoid and want to go get mine flushed asap. I don't have the 3-4000 to put down on a new one since this stupid tooth issue.

Sean

change the fluid regularly and you will be fine. i beat the crap out of mine and it did awesome. for the 35k miles i had it for.

Zach, does the torque converter have a drain plug?

My Ranger didn't have a drain plug, so I would pump out a gallon (through the cooler lines) and replace with a fresh gallon. After pumping out the 4th gallon, I would pull the pan, and change the filter before replacing the 4th gallon.

For the most part you are correct. In the case of my problem I was religious on my maintenance, filter replacement and fluid changes. Even with that, the transmission said FU and puked. So, no real guarantees, just possible insurance.

I wouldnt recommend a full flush. Just drop the pan replace the filter and refill. You want to just blend the fluids(old and new)

New fluid has too many detergents in it and it is not good for the clutches.

As for the torque converter I am not sure. I never drain it. I know the 4r100s had them. :D

do you watch your trans temps? the fluid looks burnt to me. Or maybe it was a Monday built trans?

The fluid burnt when the tranny puked. I keep my Edge CTS up with transmission temperatures and didn't see any temperature issues until the day I drove it in to the dealer, where it reached over 200F.

I'm thinking it was a Monday morning or lat Friday afternoon transmission! :D

So, you're saying I should just drop the pan, replace the filter and put in how much fluid I took out? Or rather, enough to fill it properly?

Sean

Thats how I have done it in the past. Works great and doesnt require any special tools or bleeding procedures.

So true!!!I see threads like this,and it leaves me a little concern.
Sucks that it cost 3grand to solve an issue!!

Okay thanks, when I get some time I'll have to get this done!

I know, but comes with the territory of having a vehicle lol.

Sean