2007 E-350

We were towing a trailer in our E-350 from Tennessee to Illinois and I heard a big thud like I ran over something in the road, and it was at that point that I noticed only the RPM's were going up and the van was just coasting. Drive was basically neutral at that point. We were actually in KY at the time this happened so it was towed to the local Ford dealership there, and they say it will be 2 weeks before they can get it in.

I was just curious if anyone else had this happen, and knows what the diagnosis will be? New transmission? And if so, is it worth putting that money into the 14 year old van?

 

Another option would be a lower mileage used Trans.

My old 05 F250 lost one of the sprags, failing the unit, and I found a used Trans from a rollover truck from a dismantler. 90 day warranty (they sent images of the donor truck) My truck had 175k, the used Trans was about half that mileage. It was about a third of the price of a reman. and included the freight/shipping.
I installed it, worked as new..

 

Thanks for the idea. I wish I was equipped to install myself, but unfortunately I am not. I'm not sure if this shop would give me that option or not.

 

If I were looking for a junkyard transmission, I would look for a wreck. My thinking, that vehicle likely was working good prior to the accident. Otherwise, you have no idea why that vehicle is in the junkyard in the first place. Transmission? Maybe.

 

Most salvage yards have a pretty good idea if a trans was working well or not, but if you do the work and the trans is faulty, they will most likely tell you to bring it back and they will provide another, if they have it. In this case you eat the labor. If a shop does it and it is faulty, they eat the labor. There is good and bad with these situations, and the ultimate decision is up to you.