2009 Ford Escape ATF foamed, blew, hardened

[Pablo]

Ouch.....I'm just struggling with this:
Quote:
resembling a cross between a cigar butt and a sponge
some kind of de-aerator or something.

I good fluid might help a bit, but sounds like a real design deficiency. Towing it must have really whipped the fluid.

 

[Ken2]

Pat misstated the problem.

It isn't RV towing. It is RV toad. That terminology is clear and widely used by motorhome folks.

 

[unDummy]

The cigar/sponge is filter media. Cooking the fluid released the glues holding the media or filter together. Don't forget that the 'filter' which has ATF pumped through it "should" hold that "so-called" cigar sponge. Yeah, I'd worry!!!!!

This transmission needs an inspection, filter change, and flush of the 'lifetime' fluid.

BTW, per Ford, you should never flat tow over 65mph or for more then 5hrs without idling vehicle to cool the ATF....... If the vehicle has a timed remote starter, maybe starting it for 5-10 minutes every hour, while flat towing it, should circulate/cool and prevent self destruction.

 

[Gary Allan]

Interesting thread. You think you've seen it all ..and they bring it in a whole new door. Never would have expected this angle.

unDummy appears to have the quick setup remedy. Remote starter would be a good quick fix.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: unDummy
.. If the vehicle has a timed remote starter, maybe starting it for 5-10 minutes every hour, while flat towing it, should circulate/cool and prevent self destruction.


Not a bad idea right there! Lots of starts/stops, but it should work provided the rolling wheels and brake lights don't interfere. Still though, if the route cause is 'flat' towing a vehicle not really designed for it, the OP may wanna trade this baby in for a vehicle that is.

Joel

 

[WishIhadatruck]

It stays cool when driving even though it is doing more work because it then has a functioning transmission cooler. When being flat towed there is still fluid being worked, gears moving, etc. which generates heat. Without fluid being pumped through a cooler it gets hotter and hotter and hotter until it overheats. I'd be very concerned if I were you. I'd seriously consider an aftermarket pump/cooling system. I don't know much about them but they are pretty common I think. I'm also not sure what affect it has on your Ford warranty.

Here is some additional info. with more links in it.
http://www.trailerlife.com/cforum/Index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/23387010.cfm

 

[Nick R]

Drop the pan, replace filter and flush with fresh ATF. When you want to tow it, rent a U-Haul Trailer. That would be my reccomendation. Then again, we don't tow vehicles very often. It might get expensive to do it alot.

 

[unDummy]

Sad thing is that Ford did engineer it for flat towing!!!

Break out the welder and weld lots of cooling fins to the pan!

 

[patfrompagosa]

Originally Posted By: WishIhadatruck
Without fluid being pumped through a cooler it gets hotter and hotter and hotter until it overheats. .... I'd seriously consider an aftermarket pump/cooling system. I don't know much about them but they are pretty common I think. I'm also not sure what affect it has on your Ford warranty.


I contacted Remco, who makes pump/valve assemblies for RV folks for their towed vehicles, and unfortunately they don't have one for the Escape, since Ford warranteed that it could be towed. I imagine Ford would try to use it as an excuse not to replace the trans if it blew after installing an external pump.

So, I guess I will have to go slow and stop often to idle the engine.

Thanks for the link, I had not seen it nor the RV.net link inside that

 

[JustinH]

For the kind of money that you have in to a nice escape, have you looked into a proper car trailer for it?

 

[patfrompagosa]

Hi Justin,

I am starting to downsize (one driver to my mind means a max of 2 vehicles). I need a snow vehicle and a tow vehicle. I don't want a trailer in the yard or in storage. Plus, my RV is Ford V-10 powered. I believed Ford's publicity and saw it as an ideal combination. Ford has really let me down so far.

Rather than getting a trailer (a dolly is not allowed for this model Escape), I'm thinking of trading for a used hybrid Escape. They have a lot of proven towed miles. It will cost me still more $$$, but I'll be on my track of continuing to downsize to 2 vehicles and no large toys.

Recent owner posts on Ford and RV websites are beginning to show some promise when they keep the fluid slightly underfilled, go slowly (65 absolute max), stop often to idle the engine for ATF cooling, and pray-hope-wish a lot. I want to explore OBD-II codes or get a dedicated ATF temp gauge, so I can put some logic into the process.

I'm going to tow over the thanksgiving weekend. I'll be near my selling dealer. I might try to camp in his lot if it blows ATF again.

 

[JustinH]

I'm sorry to hear that. Have you said anything to the dealer?

 

[roadrunner1]

if you are looking for a trans temp gauge the scangauge II has that feature plus about 100 more for around 150 bucks, plugs into obd port and works very well

 

[patfrompagosa]

I phoned my salesman (at Jim Click Ford in Green Valley, AZ) and briefed him. Unfortunately, he was "with a customer at the time". He promised to call back with the service manager, That was almost 2 weeks ago. Must be one hard bargaining customer!

That did cost the dealership the sale of a Ford extended service plan. I bought it at a dealershship nearer to home (New Country Ford in Durango, CO). Their service manager at least called me back and fit me in.

 

[patfrompagosa]

I do already have a Scangauge II. Unfortunately it is in my RV, 500 miles away. I use it all the time to watch the V-10 performance.

I saw an earlier post on a Ford site, by the owner of a 2009 V6/AWD with the new 6F35 trans (same unit and same problem as mine). He was having trouble finding the transmission fluid temperature readout on his Scangauge. Speculation was that Ford used a different code on the new trans. When I am reunited with mine over the thanksgiving holiday, I'll be able to comment better on it.

But, thanks for the suggestion. I agree the Scangauge is a great little unit and recommend it, whether it solves my current problem or not.

Still another guy is trying to use a direct reading gauge installed in the drain plug. If all goes well, he says it will radio the signal forward to the RV. That sounds even better, as he will be able to monitor while towing.