# '98 Ford Explorer...time to let go? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 9, 2008, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-ford-explorer-time-to-let-go/15085 "2008-06-09T22:35:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-ford-explorer-time-to-let-go/15085/1 "2008-06-09T22:35:44Z")
Hi, I have a '98 Ford Explorer with 157,000 miles on it. The O/D light starting blinking recently, accompanied by transmission issues (lots of slipped gears, starting from 3rd gear). I had it towed to AAMCO. Transmission fluid level was fine but the fluid was pretty burnt. Two computer error messages were detected (torque something, and something else). $580 to pull the transmission and fully diagnose the problem (credited toward repair bill) and mechanic estimates a minimum of $1400 to repair. No other problems since this. Blue book value is ~$4K on a good day. Is this car worth repairing!?!?! ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 10:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-ford-explorer-time-to-let-go/15085/2 "2008-06-09T22:45:04Z")
Personally, I’d be inclined to try to sell it “as-is” with an ad in the paper disclosing that it needs a tranny. You won’t get much, especially in the SUV-glutted current market, but I think the vehicle has paid for itself at this point. The good news is that you can get a replacement for a song. Everyone’s unloading SUVs right now. Or, you could seek a used tranny from a boneyard. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 2:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-ford-explorer-time-to-let-go/15085/3 "2008-06-10T02:24:06Z")
At 157k miles, slipping with burnt fluid, etc. why is there any need to pull the transmission and fully diagnose anything? A transmission with that many miles and symptoms should not be getting a piecemeal repair. It should be a full rebuild. I’d go with a used transmission from a salvage yard, eBay, Craigslist, etc. It’s worth fixing but also depends on the total that a used transmission/labor will set you back. Some salvage yards will even install and guarantee their parts so that’s something you could look into. ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 2:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-ford-explorer-time-to-let-go/15085/4 "2008-06-10T02:27:48Z")
If the vehicle meets your needs and is otherwise in good condition, ask yourself this question: Will I be able to buy a comparable vehicle for the cot of the transmission work? Chances are, the answer is “no”. ---
**Author:** ![Opera\_House](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@Opera\_House](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Opera_House)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 5:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-ford-explorer-time-to-let-go/15085/5 "2008-06-10T05:13:27Z")
Not there to diagnose this, but this is consistent with a bad valve body gasket. This was common with the 5R55E. Might try Ford dealer as they only charged about $800 to do it. Check [www.explorer4x4.com](http://www.explorer4x4.com) Something you could do yourself if you were adventurous. The transmission does not need to be pulled. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-ford-explorer-time-to-let-go/15085/6 "2008-06-10T21:52:48Z")
OK- the codes are P0741 (Torque converter clutch mechanical system performance) and P0174 (system too lean)if it makes a difference. Thanks for all of the previous comments!!! Still on the fence… ---
**Author:** ![crankwalk5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@crankwalk5](https://community.cartalk.com/u/crankwalk5)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 10:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-ford-explorer-time-to-let-go/15085/7 "2008-06-10T22:33:47Z")
say goodbye,and unload the LOAD. super MONEY PIT(alot worse than a HOUSE. it will haunt you from this point on. good luck! just trying to push you off the fence.(especially if FORD built the said fence)LMAO! ---
**Author:** ![Beadsandbeads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@Beadsandbeads](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beadsandbeads)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 10:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-ford-explorer-time-to-let-go/15085/8 "2008-06-10T22:51:01Z")
Has the trans been serviced regularly, every 30K or shorter? Doe this have the 5R55E or 4r70W? I wish it hadn’t been AAMCO. ---
**Author:** ![Opera\_House](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@Opera\_House](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Opera_House)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 7:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-ford-explorer-time-to-let-go/15085/9 "2008-06-11T07:58:36Z")
To put it simpler, is this a V6 or a V8. This will determine the transmission. ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 11:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-ford-explorer-time-to-let-go/15085/10 "2008-06-11T11:09:42Z")
IMHO get pricing on a used tranny or rebuilt. Your vehicle worth is very poor at the moment no matter what a book says due to problem + SUV glut. What is your budget for a replacement? If not a lot you may want to hang onto this. Its past the 8yr/150k mark where cars have very major issues. (many go further after this without serious repair). ---
**Author:** ![Beadsandbeads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@Beadsandbeads](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beadsandbeads)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 11:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-ford-explorer-time-to-let-go/15085/11 "2008-06-11T23:32:38Z")
Reman trans from Ford have very very good warranty coverage, but are costly. I would do that before AAMCO.