Hey guys, I'm in need of advice. My truck has 250000 miles on it and today on my way home from work it would not shift into 3rd. It acted like it was slipping then shifted kinda hard into 3rd. It did this twice and has not done it since. I want to change the fluid out anyway but I don't know if it has been serviced at all. So I'm not sure if I should change it out. What shouId I do?

 

Changing the fluid won't hurt it. The trans might die right after changing the fluid.

How do those two sentances belong together? You're like most people, you don't service the transmission, and then it has a problem. Now you think of changing the fluid, but the trans is already damaged. New fluid won't fix the worn out/broken parts inside the trans. So with the new fluid the trans dies. It would have also died with the old fluid.

If this were mine I would NOT change the fluid. It won't hurt it, but it would be a waste of money. That trans is most likely trashed.

 

Mark on a trans that is working fine but has burnt/old fluid is it true or false that changing/flushing the trans can free up deposits that can start passing trough trans and cause the trans to start having issues ?

 

X2; I've heard around the campfire that there is sometimes a buildup of material that when disturbed by a flush can perhaps exacerbate the problems? I'd love to learn of this fable...

 

Well I always keep up on maintaince but I got the truck like this. It used to be fleet owned then got sold to the po who used it to haul his concrete equipment around.
So they did no service it right. The trans has done fine all evening since then. That's why I was wondering if I changed the fuild including draining the torque converter, filter, and cleaned the valve body if it would be ok. I don't have the money for another trans at the moment and this is my only way to work. I have done this on many other vehicles and they were fine. They all had well over 200,000 miles on them when I got them.

 

It's a fable. Changing the fluid doesn't loosen deposits and cause problems. See my previous post as to why if the trans has problems new fluid won't fix it.
I already answered this question. Now I think you should change the fluid, because I believe no matter how I answer this you're going to change the fluid and hope for the best. That may be the right thing to do.

 

Thanks Mark

 

Could it be a solenoid sticking since he said it hasn't happened since and since it was trying to shift when it occurred. Really a question for Mark

 

Ok I don't think I saying this right, the trans felt like it slip twice. It shifted hard into 3rd and all of this happened at the same time. I had to let off the gas and then give it thottle the it shifted. After that it did not do it again at all. I had planned on changing the fuild/ filter before any of this occurred. So yes I will change it anyway. I don't think that it has been damaged. I not a transmission expert like you mark, but in my experience, once a trans starts slipping it just does not quit and work fine. I think it may be old worn out fuild. I almost feel as if you are being judgemental of me mark? Or hostile?

 

I had considered a soleniod, how could I check this mark? Or what should I check for?

 

give vehicle information and you would be replacing all of the solenoids they come in a block and are expensive brand new.

 

Or if thats it in your avatar picture then its an E4OD

 

96 f250 XL 2wd psd and yes e40d. And mark I'm not trying to upset you or offend you. If I have I'm sorry I'm just after info. I should have said things different. I work three jobs so I'm very busy and sometimes
I don't word things right. So how many solenoids are there? And how hard is it to change them?

 

Its a solenoid body and 5
And drain fluid it you have drain plug if not you Will drain it when you drop the pan and its right beside the filter on passenger side of trans its easy identity and simply unbolt it and bolt in a new one and torque to spec which is like 40in lb? and don't forget the connector its on passenger side of trans its the only connector on that side of trans and I'm about to replace mine but Idk if it will fix your problem

 

I have another E4OD with new solenoids with similar issue but its not as severe since I know its comin and let off before it starts to shift but will happen frequently when shifting into 3rd above 30 mph after it is warmed up.