Whole engine shaking when van comes to a stop and in drive, whole van shakes like a busted motor mount. When it's shaking, RPM seem to be steady at 8k, tach needle steady. Shaking stops as you accellerate.


Popped hood and there lis a loud ticking noise comming from the right engine (grivers side), right where it meets the trans, almost sound like a lifter or valve. This van did have a recall on the torque converter that was fixed 4 years ago. Almost sounds like a bad push rod?


Trans fluid full and looks okay on stick. Oil full and looks good. Nothing leaking. Exaust looks normal, didn't see antifreeze on the dip stick. Serpatine fine (The noise is on opisite side.

 

you tube of it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbtJVkbknzE

 

Have you checked your motor mounts? How many miles on the van? When was the last time the plugs, wires, coil pack were replaced? Are there any codes pointing towards a mis-fire that can cause that vibration under load?

 

90k. No codes or engine light didn't come on. Original coil pack, plugs. Not sure where the motor mount is. Back yard mechanic, not sure if I'd be able to do a motor mount.

 

motor mounts look okay as far as I can see. Just started engine for first time today and rapid ticking/clacking coming from engine right where it meets trans. Question is, do I take it to the dealer, or the corner mechanic. It did have a recall on the trans done about 5 years ago.


Dealer wants $100 to look at, corner mechanic wants "Up to $160 to diagnois."

 

Flywheel flexplate?

 

Took to dealer for $100 diagnostic and was told trans needed replacing. $3,500. Car blue books about $4,200.

Found a trans place that was highly recommended and he's doing it for $2,200. The pick your own junk yard wanted $89 for a trans, but that's way beyond my skill level.

When I was a kid, (1980's") I changed out 2 engines and numerous trans. I did all my own clutches. I'm totally lost on the cars today.

 

WOW...Tranny? Please keep us Freestar'rs posted on what the actual problem that was found with the tranny. I'm at about 176K miles without a burp )Been rode hard several times). Had the torque converter recall done a couple of years ago. My original converter had no issues with the splines. I kept putting off the recall (Kept getting nasty grams from Ford) with the hopes that all of the bad units floating out there were purged from Fords supply line.

 

I asked the mechanic if it had something to do with they way we drive, or the fact that a small trailer was pulled by the previous owner? He said "No, those Freestar trans just go at 100k, it's a caricaturist of that van from my experience." It was a shop that did just trans. He gave me a lifetime warranty on the trans, where Ford Dealership only gave 3 year, and qouted me $1,300 more at the dealer for the exact same job. Then charged me for $100 diagnostic fee.

And then there is the quality of service Ford provides at it's dealerships. The dealership quoted me on a CVT Trans (Continuous variable trans $$$), and got mad at me when I told him the freestars never even came with a CVT trans, it's a 4 speed with od.

 

Never heard of the trannies in Freestars "Just going at 100K miles". And like I said, I'm at about 176K miles without a burp and mine has been ridden hard several times over the years including several trips with 1500-2000 pound loads inside and on its roof. Heck, I even remember one trip to Arizona (July 2013) that I was so loaded down that the van shifted into 3rd gear coming up out of Las Cruz, NM on I-10 and never went into OD until I hit the AZ state line and ran about 3500 RPMs the whole way. Was loaded down and what was on the roof made it like I was driving the side of a building down the road.

I'd be really curious as to what the actual problem is with your tranny. Hopefully, the shop will show you and not just say what it is. Without visual proof, it's just hear-say.