Clemkad
Boston area, Massachusetts, USA
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Just talked to my ford dealer today. New service manager - needed to start the story all over again... He showed me the updated (2011) TSB for Escape towing. I didn't end up with a copy but the TSB actually mentions the Remco pump. Says something like (paraphrased): 'Ford is aware that a solution exists from Remco that a customer could purchase and install for towing. This installation may void the Ford Warranty.' Obviously Ford is saying they won't pay for it but I'm surprised they even mention it. Thought I've read in these forums where one Escape owner talked Ford into paying for the Remco pump.
My most recent problem is a slipping transmission in the first few minutes of driving. I suspect it's the lower fluid level before it warms up. Disappointed to read above that Remco wants the same fluid level as Ford. If the fluid level is causing the slipping, I won't be able to fill it up if I go with the Remco solution.
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The Texan
Meridian, Idaho
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Clemkad wrote: He showed me the updated (2011) TSB for Escape towing. I didn't end up with a copy but the TSB actually mentions the Remco pump. Says something like (paraphrased): 'Ford is aware that a solution exists from Remco that a customer could purchase and install for towing. This installation may void the Ford Warranty.' Obviously Ford is saying they won't pay for it but I'm surprised they even mention it.
Sounds like Ford is going to make Remco the scapegoat if a transmissions fails, with a pump installed. Government Motors did the right thing with their customers and the Cruz fiasco, but Ford is going to just set back and screw their customers.
Bob & Betsy(FishNFanatic) - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever"
'05 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, 400 Cummins-Pulling our '11 Silverado LT, Ex Cab 6.2L NHT 4x4, w/2010 Rzr or 01 V Star in back.
Where the wheels are stopped today
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ScottMack
Oklahoma
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Clemkad -
The reason Remco wants the same fluid level that Ford specifies is that their pump is not as "robust" at moving (therefore, less cooling through the cooler) the fluid as when your engine is running. The lower level ensures that the fluid will not "foam up" as it heats up - if it did, then the pump would be sucking foam (i.e. air) through and it will overheat the pump (and subsequently, the tranny - which is why Ford has us lower the fluid level). We have not had any slipping due to the lower level.
BTW, this info came straight from tech support at Remco. The wording in their manual is misleading and makes you think that the tranny fluid should be at normal level. They are changing the wording to specify that it should be set to the lower "flat towing" level.
skipter and dleslie125 -
I stop every few hours to stretch anyway - that and the fact that I am still a little nervous at this point is why I still start her up and run her through when I stop. Again, with the pump installed I know it is not necessary - it's just me being me for the time being.
And, as I said before, the pump, selector valve and fluid were very cool to the touch - I don't have an infrared, so I don't know what the actual temps were.
2010 Winnebago Outlook 29B
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the_armadillo
SE Texas
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What was interesting to us (and I noted on another thread) was that our Ford dealer actually told us that we needed to install the Remco pump if we were going to RV tow our new 2012 Escape and actually the service manager had a Remco brochure/printout on his desk. When we questioned that info because our vehicle is a hybrid they contacted a main Ford number and subsequently informed that we did not need this pump, it was needed for non-hybrid Escapes which is what was my original understanding anyway. But it was the Ford dealer that actually mentioned the pump and stated that it would be needed. It is funny how their TSB is worded and they are dancing around the liability issue.
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Skipter
Missouri
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I'm having the same issue as Clemkad with 'slipping' when it's been sitting overnight and we drive it. We start it, let it run briefly, back out and head about 1/4 mile to the highway at about 15-20 mph. Once we're on the highway, we don't gun it, and it almost always slips between gears. Ford dealer checked it out and couldn't get it to repeat -- have to wonder if the lower transmission fluid level is causing this. The PCM was reprogrammed with the first transmission and has been checked since replacing the burned out one.
2007 Georgetown 326, 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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dleslie125
Southern Ontario/Palmetto FL in Winter
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The Texan wrote:Clemkad wrote: He showed me the updated (2011) TSB for Escape towing. I didn't end up with a copy but the TSB actually mentions the Remco pump. Says something like (paraphrased): 'Ford is aware that a solution exists from Remco that a customer could purchase and install for towing. This installation may void the Ford Warranty.' Obviously Ford is saying they won't pay for it but I'm surprised they even mention it.
Sounds like Ford is going to make Remco the scapegoat if a transmissions fails, with a pump installed. Government Motors did the right thing with their customers and the Cruz fiasco, but Ford is going to just set back and screw their customers.
Better go and read the Cruze threads again. Some are not very pleased with their treatment. Ford has replaced a lot of transmissions without quibbling.
Also look at the threads on FMCA and RVnet.
2011 Itasca Impulse 26QP Silver Toad 2011 Escape Ltd AWD
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dleslie125
Southern Ontario/Palmetto FL in Winter
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ScottMack wrote:Clemkad -
The reason Remco wants the same fluid level that Ford specifies is that their pump is not as "robust" at moving (therefore, less cooling through the cooler) the fluid as when your engine is running. The lower level ensures that the fluid will not "foam up" as it heats up - if it did, then the pump would be sucking foam (i.e. air) through and it will overheat the pump (and subsequently, the tranny - which is why Ford has us lower the fluid level). We have not had any slipping due to the lower level.
BTW, this info came straight from tech support at Remco. The wording in their manual is misleading and makes you think that the tranny fluid should be at normal level. They are changing the wording to specify that it should be set to the lower "flat towing" level.
skipter and dleslie125 -
I stop every few hours to stretch anyway - that and the fact that I am still a little nervous at this point is why I still start her up and run her through when I stop. Again, with the pump installed I know it is not necessary - it's just me being me for the time being.
And, as I said before, the pump, selector valve and fluid were very cool to the touch - I don't have an infrared, so I don't know what the actual temps were.
I have the scanGauge on. Today the temp reached 191 during the last leg of our trip from Cincinnati to Chattanooga. Until then (it got much warmer out - around 80 plus) it only reached 165. Ran it through the gears several times today. Keeping my fingers crossed tomorrow and Friday. Maybe I was better off not knowing how hot it is getting.
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Skipter
Missouri
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I had an appointment to take another look at my slipping transmission today. They called and told me to hold off until they get the latest word -- apparently Ford is sending out another TSB addressing this problem.
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ScottMack
Oklahoma
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Skipter-
Please keep us updated - especially if/when you find out what the TSB # is/will be.
Thanks.
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bugmuddy
Riverview, FL
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Howdy,
I bought a 2010 Escape used a few months ago and burned out the tranny on my first trip, didn't do enough research on the old blogosphere and took Ford at it's word that it was flat towable. They replaced the tranny last week and set the fluid level according to the TSB. I towed it a couple hours this weekend and burned out that transmission. I talked to the service advisor today, and he's pretty sure they're going to install the REMCO pump after they replace the tranny this time, at no cost to me. Sure hope it fixes it, but I still won't be confident in the vehicle. If you Google "2010 Ford Escape Transmission Problems" you see folks unassociated with motorhomes also having trouble.
Don Walker
USAF Retired (as of 1 Jun 2012)
2003 HR Endeavor 40
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