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I just did a transmission filter change in my 1991 ford explorer but the issue is the Parts store told it took 2.9 quarts of Transmission Fluid and I added 3 quarts and the problem is now that my gears don’t shift like they use to and I checked the dipstick and it said no fluid and was blowing out smoke whats wrong do I need to had more fluid or is something seriously wrong with my transmission because prior to my filter change I had no reverse which is what lead to the filter change. I need some help with this please
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Which transmission do you have installed?
And where is the smoke blowing out from? Tailpipe, under the suv…..
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How many miles are on the transmission and how dirty was the fluid you removed? Overfilling a transmission can be just as bad as underfilling one, but I don’t think the difference between 2.9 and 3 quarts would be the cause of your issues.
If the trans is the factory one? It’s an A4LD.
And I’m groaning… Same one that’s in my Bronco II.
Missing reverse gear is frankly pointing towards needing a rebuild of all the soft and hard parts. Not cheap by any means.
We NEED to know what condition the fluid was in, how bad the filter and bottom of the pan looks. And where the smoke is coming from.
If it’s out of the tail pipe? Check the vacuum line to see if you have red oil in it. That means your modulator is shot.
If it’s coming out from under the truck, you have a “Y” pipe that crosses under the transmission. Smoke from that area normally points to a blown front seal. Very common as the seals are pressed into an aluminum ‘receptacle’. The seals do give out (don’t ask me how I know) and when replaced they HAVE to be ‘Staked’ into place. (it actually curls/compresses the aluminum into the steel of the front pump seal. Forget to do that simple task? The seal can and WILL pop out at any given time)
As mentioned, we need answers to the questions so we can help you out.
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Its stock transmission the fluid wasnt thick or anything like that that came out and the smoke was coming out of where u check the transmission fluid and it has almost 200,000 miles on it
The condition of the fluid can reveal much about the transmissions general health.
The A4LD is known for having A LOT of issues. The fact it’s got 200,000 miles on it? That’s actually far in excess of it’s expected lifespan before needing an overhaul.
The system also holds a total of 9-10 quarts. 3 qts if just doing the filter change out.
The bulk of the fluid is in the torque converter. The A4LD does not use a drain plug on the converter–so you’re stuck with about 6 quarts of old fluid mixing in with the new.
Needed info still remains:
Color of the fluid. Nice and red. Brown and smells burnt…..If you check the fluid does it look like it’s full of ‘bubbles’.
How did the filter look and the bottom of the pan? Some gray shading ‘garbage’ in the bottom of the pan is 100% normal. Any large chunks of metal or particle matter point towards a rebuild in the future.
As for smoking out the tube you fill it? That’s a new one. Are you sure it wasn’t smoking from the exhaust pipe and lofting upwards?
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[quote=”Tedybear315″ post=104555]The condition of the fluid can reveal much about the transmissions general health.
The A4LD is known for having A LOT of issues. The fact it’s got 200,000 miles on it? That’s actually far in excess of it’s expected lifespan before needing an overhaul.
The system also holds a total of 9-10 quarts. 3 qts if just doing the filter change out.
The bulk of the fluid is in the torque converter. The A4LD does not use a drain plug on the converter–so you’re stuck with about 6 quarts of old fluid mixing in with the new.
Needed info still remains:
Color of the fluid. Nice and red. Brown and smells burnt…..If you check the fluid does it look like it’s full of ‘bubbles’.
How did the filter look and the bottom of the pan? Some gray shading ‘garbage’ in the bottom of the pan is 100% normal. Any large chunks of metal or particle matter point towards a rebuild in the future.
As for smoking out the tube you fill it? That’s a new one. Are you sure it wasn’t smoking from the exhaust pipe and lofting upwards?
S-[/quote]it was black and i put three quarts in but the dipstick reads no fluid
Honestly it doesn’t sound good. If you have the transmission I’m thinking of, A4LD, then it’s likely you’re going to need a replacement or a rebuild. The fluid change was a good move however as that can sometimes solve issues like that. More info on transmission issues here.
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-transmission-problems
You might also find this site helpful in finding a transmission.
Good luck and keep us posted.
update on the Transmission issue I got the smoking to quit but got a new problem that wasn’t there before I did the filter change. I forgot to install the o rings when I first installed the new filter and then I don’t know what happen ever since that filter change I have had nothing but problems I have add the right amount of fluid and Now it doesn’t shift in to 2 until it is at 3,000 or 3,100 rpms but that is part time I don’t know what that means or how to fix it and I still don’t have reverse and I added the fluid for a new ford not for an old ford at first but not sure if that would have any effect on it and I might need to do a complete transmission flush but don’t know how or how many quarts to put back in I don’t want to screw anything up. I hope I can get some help with this issue.
With the transmission systems you have a vacuum modulator valve and a governor. These control your shift points by carefully ‘working’ the pressures, valves, servo’s, etc…
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/automatic-transmission.htm
The intermittent shifting issues point towards serious internal issues. It could be just a stuck valve…Or a blowing out seal… The sky is the limit on what could be wrong internally.
I’m sorry for not replying sooner, life (and medical testing) took me away from the ol’ internet for a while.
In all honesty? You should consider a replacement transmission. A4LD’s are actually somewhat easy to come by from salvage yards, pick and pulls, etc… And sadly it can take a few before you find a decent one that has a lot of life in it. The other alternative would be to pick up a rebuilt one from an auto parts house…It can cost between $650-$1200 to go this route…
The cost to rig one into your ride can be the costly part. It’s required to install a new filter/pan gasket. And HIGHLY recommended to replace the front transmission pump seal while it’s apart and on the ‘bench’.
I’ve already gone down this route a few times. (I’m on the 3rd A4LD in my Bronco II) Thankfully the last one the yard had to sell—(and it looked the worst I’ve ever seen for grease and muck) It’s lasted several years and still running decent.
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