[DaveJ]

The clunk is my '09 Escape's drivetrain is finally resolved. The dealer I purchased my Escape from told me at two different recent service visits the noise was normal. The service manager verifyed the noise. I asked to escalate the matter, and the service advisor was to call me when a Ford Field Service Engineer was in town to look at it.

I still haven't received that call, but meanwhile, I took the Escape to a different dealer. Within a few hours they had the problem diagnosed as low transmission pressure and fluid. They then found the torque converter seal was leaking oil. Transmission fluid was down by 2 quarts. Apparently the leaking oil collects internally so there was no obvious external leak. They replaced the seal and fluid and the next day I picked up the car.

The noise is much lower now and shifts are solid again. The noise is still slightly there, but they say it's normal. If the noise would have been at this level all along I probably would never have even noticed it.

So, lesson learned about dealers. Needless to say I won't be returning to my original dealer for any service even though it's more convenient. I'm so happy this long ongoing problem is finally fixed.

 

[RobtRoma]

I'm glad you got that issue solved and thanks for posting the solution.

One thing I learned about mechanics is some can find things others can't. I took my Escape to the dealer I purchased it from because the steering had a dead spot that wasn't there before they "fixed" a squeak in the steering rack by replacing the entire rack. They kept telling me it was normal and all the other Escapes on the lot felt the same. I told them it didn't feel that way before the swap but it didn't matter. I took it to 3 different mechanics along the way. The 3rd one checked all the bolts and clamps that held the rack in place. He found something that was loose, tightened it and the problem was fixed. I still used the local dealer for some things but that guy that fixed the rack got a lot of business from me after that. Unfortunately he left the place and the guys that remained are numbnuts. I'm still looking for a good mechanic...

 

[DaveJ]

The clunk is my '09 Escape's drivetrain is finally resolved. The dealer I purchased my Escape from told me at two different recent service visits the noise was normal. The service manager verifyed the noise. I asked to escalate the matter, and the service advisor was to call me when a Ford Field Service Engineer was in town to look at it.

I still haven't received that call, but meanwhile, I took the Escape to a different dealer. Within a few hours they had the problem diagnosed as low transmission pressure and fluid. They then found the torque converter seal was leaking oil. Transmission fluid was down by 2 quarts. Apparently the leaking oil collects internally so there was no obvious external leak. They replaced the seal and fluid and the next day I picked up the car.

The noise is much lower now and shifts are solid again. The noise is still slightly there, but they say it's normal. If the noise would have been at this level all along I probably would never have even noticed it.

So, lesson learned about dealers. Needless to say I won't be returning to my original dealer for any service even though it's more convenient. I'm so happy this long ongoing problem is finally fixed.

This is an update on the clunk. The noise came back shortly after my original post and I just lived with it because the dealers said it was "normal". Last week I had the Escape in for repair of the 1/2 shaft oil leak. The dealer replaced the entire shaft (not just the 1/2 shaft) and now it doesn't clunk anymore and hopefully doesn't leak fluid either.

 

[tang]

Drivetrain clunk? I'll see if I notice anything in the next 200-250 miles. Can you describe it in more detail??

 

[FordService]

This is an update on the clunk. The noise came back shortly after my original post and I just lived with it because the dealers said it was "normal". Last week I had the Escape in for repair of the 1/2 shaft oil leak. The dealer replaced the entire shaft (not just the 1/2 shaft) and now it doesn't clunk anymore and hopefully doesn't leak fluid either.

I'm glad to hear your Escape's issues were resolved! Please don't hesitate to message me if the concerns return and you would like my assistance!

Cory

 

[slavrenz]

The clunk is my '09 Escape's drivetrain is finally resolved. The dealer I purchased my Escape from told me at two different recent service visits the noise was normal. The service manager verifyed the noise. I asked to escalate the matter, and the service advisor was to call me when a Ford Field Service Engineer was in town to look at it.

I still haven't received that call, but meanwhile, I took the Escape to a different dealer. Within a few hours they had the problem diagnosed as low transmission pressure and fluid. They then found the torque converter seal was leaking oil. Transmission fluid was down by 2 quarts. Apparently the leaking oil collects internally so there was no obvious external leak. They replaced the seal and fluid and the next day I picked up the car.

The noise is much lower now and shifts are solid again. The noise is still slightly there, but they say it's normal. If the noise would have been at this level all along I probably would never have even noticed it.

So, lesson learned about dealers. Needless to say I won't be returning to my original dealer for any service even though it's more convenient. I'm so happy this long ongoing problem is finally fixed.

This is an update on the clunk. The noise came back shortly after my original post and I just lived with it because the dealers said it was "normal". Last week I had the Escape in for repair of the 1/2 shaft oil leak. The dealer replaced the entire shaft (not just the 1/2 shaft) and now it doesn't clunk anymore and hopefully doesn't leak fluid either.

Common misunderstanding.

It's only called the halfshaft because it makes up one half of the total axle between your front wheels. It is physically separate from the other halfshaft (which is located on the other side of your transmission case), so to say that they replaced the entire shaft as opposed to the 1/2 shaft doesn't make sense (i.e., you'd have to cut the halfshaft in half to replace half of the shaft, lol ).

They replaced the whole halfshaft is what I think you mean.

 

[DaveJ]

slaverenz, thanks for clearing up my explanation. You're correct, they replaced the entire half shaft.

Sadly, the clunk noise is slowly returning. It's not as bad yet as it was prior to the oil leak/half shaft repair, but it's noticable again. It was so nice not to hear this noise for the first several days after the repair.

Dave

 

[DaveJ]

This is an update on the clunk. The noise came back shortly after my original post and I just lived with it because the dealers said it was "normal". Last week I had the Escape in for repair of the 1/2 shaft oil leak. The dealer replaced the entire shaft (not just the 1/2 shaft) and now it doesn't clunk anymore and hopefully doesn't leak fluid either.

I'm glad to hear your Escape's issues were resolved! Please don't hesitate to message me if the concerns return and you would like my assistance!

Cory

Thanks Cory. I tried to send you a PM but I don't know if it was sent. The message appears to be stuck in my Outbox rather than showing it as a sent message. Please reply here if you didn't receive my PM.
Thanks again.

Dave

 

[Squishy]

Messages will stay in your outbox until the recipient has read them. Once Cory reads your message, it will go to your Sent Messages folder.

 

[FordService]

Thanks Cory. I tried to send you a PM but I don't know if it was sent. The message appears to be stuck in my Outbox rather than showing it as a sent message. Please reply here if you didn't receive my PM.
Thanks again.

Dave

I just wanted to let you know that I received your message and sent you a reply. Check your inbox for the details!

Cory

 

[DaveJ]

This is an update to my old post in October 2010. The clunk I referred to was never fixed. This noise is more of a clank than a clunk, but it occurs when lightly taking my foot off the accelerator, or lightly applying it. It's the same noise when shifting from park to reverse, or park to drive. It's most obvious with the windows down, especially while in the garage. It's not difficult to hear, and every Ford dealer tech or manager that has driven with me has acknowledged the noise.

One Ford dealer told me it was tip-in and tip-out noise possibly from the torque converter. I have taken it to 3 dealers and nobody is willing to do anything about it. They just say it's normal for the E. I find it very difficult to believe this is normal for the E or any car. I don't think anyone wants to bother with it since it's just a little clank noise. However, if they drove it everyday they might feel as I do. And maybe this noise will eventually result in premature failure of the torque converter or something else in the drive train.

So I continue to live with it but I'm annoyed by it every time I drive it. Has anyone else experienced this with their E and had it repaired? Could the Ford representative here please help? If it wasn't for this noise I would have to say my Escape's been pretty solid for the last few years. I would love to finally have this resolved.

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[FordService]

This is an update to my old post in October 2010. The clunk I referred to was never fixed. This noise is more of a clank than a clunk, but it occurs when lightly taking my foot off the accelerator, or lightly applying it. It's the same noise when shifting from park to reverse, or park to drive. It's most obvious with the windows down, especially while in the garage. It's not difficult to hear, and every Ford dealer tech or manager that has driven with me has acknowledged the noise.

One Ford dealer told me it was tip-in and tip-out noise possibly from the torque converter. I have taken it to 3 dealers and nobody is willing to do anything about it. They just say it's normal for the E. I find it very difficult to believe this is normal for the E or any car. I don't think anyone wants to bother with it since it's just a little clank noise. However, if they drove it everyday they might feel as I do. And maybe this noise will eventually result in premature failure of the torque converter or something else in the drive train.

So I continue to live with it but I'm annoyed by it every time I drive it. Has anyone else experienced this with their E and had it repaired? Could the Ford representative here please help? If it wasn't for this noise I would have to say my Escape's been pretty solid for the last few years. I would love to finally have this resolved.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Hello DaveJ,

My name is Tricia and I'm the FordService rep for the US. My FordServiceCA colleague Brittany has forwarded your message to me!

I sent a response to your inquiry via PM.

Please check your inbox and have a wonderful day!

Tricia

 

[patsfan1704]

my experience with Ford automatic transmissions including my 2009 escape, an 01 taurus, an 06 mustang GT, and a 2014 F-150 company truck is that they all had a slight clank when doing the light accelerator touches you mentioned. My thought was always that it was because of the light throttle the tranny is somewhat confused or hesitant whether to shift or remain in gear (kind of like using cruise control on a hill). I would get the clank alot in stop and go traffic where I would briefly accelerate, then let off the pedal just when the tranny was about to shift gears. All these vehicles I mentioned except the Taurus also have driveshafts so it could be when the shaft starts to spin then slow down suddenly or vice versa. I do know that I've never had failures on any of those transmissions with well over 100k miles on each at trade in. The clank is actually loudest on the F-150 company truck and it only has 1200 miles on it.

 

[mozz]

One thing i have noticed with my Ultragauge is if you let off the pedal, the timing will drop to 14 before. Never goes any higher, i guess it's a emission thing. If you give it just the tiny-est amount of gas pedal, the timing will jump to 30 before or higher, i get a clunk in my truck but it's a stick shift. Now if you are driving very easy, you can get the timing to go about -35, but as soon as you let off the gas, it drops to -14, give it a tiny amount and i get a clunk and -35.