1998 Ford Explorer Sport 2WD 4.0 L OHV EFI ~140K mi Summary: runs fine while cold; when engine warms up transmission makes rattling diesel-like sound; engine shuts off and can't restart until cooldown Details: coolant was not being taken up from reservoir. Replaced thermostat and radiator cap. Upon return from ~6 mile test drive transmission made rattling sound and shut engine down and wouldn't restart until cooldown. When hot restart is attempted engine is straining the starter. It always goes into gears (R & D) and is always motile until the engine shuts off. I replaced the filter (because I replaced the fluid). When I dropped the pan there was a fair amount of fluid that drained. When I added the new fluid a good amount leaked out seemingly from the top/front. The filter replacement/refill had no effect on behavior/performance. One mechanic said I need a new/rebuilt transmission. I'm pretty knowledgeable about engines, but not so much with transmissions. If an outright replacement is necessary so be it, but I feel like it's some electrical/electronic component or clogged cooling line that is causing the problem.

SOURCE: Coolant filling up overflow bottle

You may need to ask AAA to put a radiator pressure tester on the resevoir bottle and pump it up to operating pressure(Pressure cap rating) and see if it over pressurises while it is running at operating temp,rev engine up and down and watch what the testers pressure readings do,it should move up and down in sync with the water pump.If the pressure keeps building i would have to believe that combustion chamber gases are over pressurising your cooling system.Also test the pressure cap is functioning within factory specs.

SOURCE: 2001 pontiac grand am se v6 3.4L overheats-water

is the engine fan coming on? , when the heads were removed ,were they pressure tested. u may need to use a carbon block test from the coolant tank. the liquid will turn a different color if exhaust gas is present in the coolant,which would be a internal problem

Jessie Villarreal

• 68 Answers
• Posted on Mar 16, 2013

SOURCE: 1994 Buick Skylark, 138,000 mi.,V-6, auto trans.

one thing ive warned my friends to never do and that is to never have your trans flushed cause you may have new fluids but what about the trans filter its old and iots there for that reason to keep dirt and metal; shavings from the bands so try having your oil and filter in the transmission replaced , pull your trans dip stick and on a white piece of paper put a drop of trans oil that you have in your trans at that very moment it should be redish pink but if its brown and smells really bad then the problem is in the oil and filter . change it before u have to replace the whole trans