I have a 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac v-6. This truck has been the bane of my existence since I bought it back in September, but I finally fixed all of the issues I was having and it’s been great. But, today I discovered that during the most recent work, the transmission cooler line ( Ford part # 7L2Z7890A) was left unsecured against the tensioner pulley. Needless to say, today a hole appeared that gushed tranny fluid everywhere.
I have two questions please- First, can someone find the hose diameter so I can do a quick fix insert long enough to drive 1 hr. home? Second, I read online that there is a fluid fill point on the passenger side of the transmission case, is this correct and do I need to be aware of anything else to add enough fluid to safely drive the 80 miles home?
I haven’t lost enough fluid that my driving is becoming sluggish and hesitant, but I can tell it is very low.
I can’t tell you the diameter of the line. You’ll have to measure it.
But you’re right, the fill plug is on the passenger side. Get vehicle up to opeating temperature. With the engine idling shift into each gear for five seconds and then return to park. Remove the fill plug from the transmission and then remove the level indicator from the fill plug. Insert the level indicator into the transmission to check the level.
If the fluid level is low, you must have a method to pump the transmission fluid up into the fill hole in order to add fluid. Also, you’ll be working very close to the hot exhaust system.
It might be easier and more cost effective just to have the vehicle towed to a transmission shop and have them do the repair and fluid.
If the prior shop actually had involvement in causing this problem then some pre-repair pics and a statement from the transmission shop about the reason for the leak should give you some solid ground on making a claim for reimbursement.
An automatic transmission can be destroyed in seconds when the fluid is low enough and you state that the vehicle is becoming sluggish and hesistant. The transmission may be damaged goods already.
You don’t need all that. You just want to add fluid not change it.
When you remove the fill plug the level indicator will be mounted in the fill plug. Remove the level indicator from the fill plug to check the fluid level.
I had a line leak on my 68 Dart and an old mechanic in a small town in South Dakota, actually soldered up for me. Cleaned the hole with a file, torch, and a carefully place blob of solder did it for as long as I owned it.
If that tranny fluid line is under pressure you risk whatever quick fix you do blowing out on you. If the result is transmission damage, that can get costly. I think I’d find a way to get home without driving the car. Rent a car, call for a long distance AAA tow. Call a friend for a ride, get a hotel room.
I got it to a local shop and they are going to replace the line and refill for $80. I’m in class and don’t have time to do the work myself.
Thanks so much for the advice!
Tester, I’ll keep the suction gun link for future reference.
Bing- It’s a rubber line, so I don’t think a dab of solder would do the “truck”, but that’s awesome it lasted that long for you!
UncleTurbo- The fix will replace the entire hose with a high pressure line and relocate the hose away from any and all moving parts, so I don’t believe there will be another blowout.
As for the concerns about driving the vehicle- yesterday when I noticed the problem, I parked at the highest point on campus. From there, I was able to coast in neutral all the way to the shop, so my only shifting was to back the truck up off the curb I parked it on.