2001 Windstar SE Sport Transmission Problem

[JBUK]

I need help. I have read some of the other threads dealing with Ford Windstar trany problems but I have a different situation. My van has 65,000 miles and I took it to the Ford dealership to have an oil change and 1st routine transmission work (flush, replace fluid etc.) The next day my wife was driving it and it stopped in the middle of the road and it was leaking transmission fluid. I had it towed back to the dealer and they said the front pump seal and the torque converter were bad and they needed to be replaced at a cost of $1,200. To top it off they said the work they did had no impact to the problem. Now I'm no mechanic but to me it seems like it had to be something they did. I hadn't had any signs of transmission problems before taking it in. Is this a coincidence or am I just having bad luck?

[DRW1000]

I am no expert either but arent the torque converters and pumps internal? How did they leak to the outside? Something doesn't sound legit to me.

[12Ounce]

I'm sorry you have your problem.

There is one thing that is ABSOLUTELY guaranteed to happen in this scenario such as yours; .... The self-assured denial of any responsibility by the dealer.

I would try this approach. Your tranny failed right after a service visit. Why? You don't know ... you're only the paying customer. And you pay for the expert service and maintenance of the dealer. Why didn't they detect and correct the problem during the service visit ... isn't that what "maintenance" is? Find and fix small problems before they become large problems? That might be convincing (and should be convincing) to a small claims court ... or an arbitration board.

I think the whole concept of tranny "flushing" is dangerous .. and wish the dealers didn't engage in it... but "flushing" sounds real good to us folks who may not be physics majors .... and makes dealers a lot of bucks. The customer has no assurance that the "cleaning, flushing " fluid is good and not damaging the tranny... or that the tranny components aren't operated "dry" ... or that all the cleaning fluid is removed and replaced with nothing but fresh fluid fill.

I like the traditional "drain, wipe pan clean, replace filter, and refill" procedure.

[rodeo02]

It's strange how there is zero consistancy between different dealers in regards to service procedures. If I'm not mistaken, I remember reading somewhere that ford did not recommend a "flush" on the AX4S/AX4N. I Know my local ford dealer (where I bought my windstar 2nd hand), will only drop the pan, changeout the filter & the amount of ATF lost in the process. I'm wondering if this leakage could this have been the result of overpressurising the transaxle somehow?!?
G/luck
Joel

[12Ounce]

The shop manual makes some confusing reading on the subject of tranny oil change-out and cleaning.

Under IN-VEHICLE REPAIR section (307-01-146), there is a 26 step "Transaxle Drain and Refill". This procedure involves disconnecting a cooling line, plugging tranny, attaching temp drain hose ... and using the engine to pump out fluid, refilling, using engine again to pump out a total of near 13 qts of flluid. Step 6 is "disconnect battery ground cable". Step 26 is "connect the battery cable". (Wonder how you get the engine to run in steps 13 and 15.....?????????? )

No mention in the above about dropping pan, cleaning, and replacing filter....?????

Under GENERAL PROCEDURES there is a procedure for using a cleaning machine for "backflushling and cleaning" the tranny oil cooler (307-01-328). I wonder if some dealers are using this as "grounds" for using a cleaning machine on the entire tranny? And charging some extra bucks?

JBUK;
If your dealer used an external flushing/cleaning machine on your tranny, you might challenge what Ford procedure did he think justified his actions.

[road_rascal]

At 65,000 miles you are way past due for the 1st required fluid/ filter maintenance intervals for these transmissions. The trans fluid can't handle that many miles without breaking down due to heat stress. I don't like the 'flushing' procedures that some shops do. I use use a fluid evacuator (LiquidVac) and remove 6-7 quarts of trans fluid every year, regardless of mileage, and replace with fresh Mercon V. I also replace the trans filter every 30,000 miles. I also have a '01 Sport.

[ModMech]

JGUK,

You might have a leg to stand on, IF you have a copy of your work order (bill). Check it CAREFULLY, and tell us which fluid you were charged for.

Hopefully, for your sake, they used the wrong fluid (Mercon). If so, you have a very good case against them. In all honesty, it probabally would not have caused this problem so quickly, but you do see some very starnge stuff no days.