2008 Ford Escape hybrid, CVT transmission slips when hot and on incline. Transmission shop can’t recreate the problem so didn’t recommend a fix. Ford no longer sells a replacement transmission and a used CVT with a 1 year warranty costs about $2800 installed. Oh, also the AC needs replacement, but not before the transmission is working.
We live in Asheville NC and travel to Raleigh or Wilmington NC, about 4 and 6 hours away respectively. When we return up the mountain (about 2000’ elevation change) after 3-5 hours of driving at speed control at 70 mph the car’s computer maxes out rpms at 6000, while speed decreases to zero. We’ve learned to pull over at the base of the mountain prior to climbing it, eat an ice cream cone, and about 15 minutes later continue up the mountain with no problem.
Other symptoms include: when cold, sometimes motor revs up at start when placed in reverse on an incline. Infrequently, there is a “clunk” coming from front drivers side when starting out in drive.
The transmission guy says my idea of installing a transmission cooler is no good because there is no fluid to speak of, since the CVT consists basically of an electric motor that controls the pulley spacing for the CVT/belt. So it seems the problem is either a bad electric motor or bad belt. What do you think I should do?
I’d like to keep the car (current mileage about 170k) for a couple of more years until I can buy a good used electric car.
Still Loving your newspaper column.