transmission in Ford van

[Wolfgang]

Just had our company van's transmission serviced. The mechanic says there is excessive metal shavings in the pan. He wants yo charge us somwhere around 2500 to 4000 to fix it. Van seems to run OK. What things could be wrong? Anyone know

 

[Briar Hopper]

More info, please? What year is the van? Aerostar or Econoline?

That charge seems excessive if it's a full-size Econoline. Should be around $1500 for a complete rebuild on a transmission in , say, a 94 Econoline, in this part of the country. If it's an Aerostar, ouch... . I've seen those cost up to $3500 to rebuild. "Van seems to run okay" ??? Did it shift okay before it was taken in ? Is the fluid burnt? Was it serviced regularly? Did you see the shavings for yourself in the filter and the pan, or did he bring them to you in a cup? Based on the limited scenario you've presented, it sounds fishy. Is this a garage you can trust explicitly?

 

[Wolfgang]

It is a 96 Aerostar, 4R100 transmission. The filter had 1/2 a cup (dixie cup) filings in it. I don't drive the van but according to my guys who do drive it it seemed to shift OK

 

[DRR-24V]

I'd Keep On Trucking !

For that kind of money I would drive drive it until I had problems with it. JMO

 

[Briar Hopper]

Yeah, what he said. Change the fluid & filter, pan gasket, tighten bands, then run 'er into the ground. Most transmission places will give you a quote over the phone, what it'll cost to rebuild it, shop around and compare. I'd run it until it needed to be rebuilt. Or trade it in now. It's all deductible anyway on the taxes, depreciation, ya know.