transmission problems –

[MTCFORUM]

My Mark is still at the body shop. In the mean time I am driving one of our company vans.

It’s a 1994 Ford Aerostar with RWD 3.0 liter V6 and ? 4 speed auto transmission. The shifts from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th are pretty bad. When the thing is cold, anything past ¼ throttle when trying to shift to 3rd, the tranny is slipping real bad. The same thing happens from 3rd to 4th. Once the thing is warmed up it still does it but you have to be well past half throttle to notice the slipping problem. Does it seem like the tranny is going to be gone soon? Is there something that might be cause that can be done without rebuilding the tranny? The fluid smells and looks clean. It is however, way overfilled and I will get that handled tonight. Would the overfill cause this?

Thanks

Steve

[MTCFORUM]

Overfill could cause problems if air is getting whipped into the ATF. It will act like it's low on fluid (slipping, generating heat, etc) It is bad for the tranny. It will glaze the clutches fast if you don't remedy it soon.

"If you're not counter-steering, you're not driving."

[MTCFORUM]

Well, that's an A4LD trans. Probably the biggest POS trans Ford made, especially that model year range (Kris can pipe in here having had some experience in this area).

I'd say you have a leaking clutch piston seal. There are some aftermarket products that cause the seals to swell and will buy some releif before going wheels up.

I'm sure it's not what you wanted to hear, but those are some bad vintage trans's.

jerry

[MTCFORUM]

Yeah those things were horrid. More often than not a rebuild means replacing a bunch of hard parts too on those, the things would literally shake themselves apart, excessive play in the center support, then all hell breaks loose.

[MTCFORUM]

Thanks for all the tips and info guys. As long as the thing doesn't leave me stranded before I return it I'll be OK with whatever is wrong with it. I will get the excess fluid out and put some of that seal swelling stuff in it before I give it back. I kindof hope they don't scrap the car if the tranny does break. I spent over 10 hours rubbing it out and waxing it and cleaning the interior and doorjambs this weekend. The thing was trashed but looks very nice now.

Thanks again

steve