Someone suggested I move this post over from the 1997 - 2003 F150 forum.

Hello folks, let me appologize for the length of this post up front, but want to included as much info as possible. Had my son's e4od transmission rebuilt last year at this time. Shop owner said he had experience with this model transmission (something I questioned him about after reading threads here). My transmission is a confirmed e4od, not a 4r100. Truck is a May 98 build F-150 4X4 with both tow and offroad packages from the factory.

First issue was with a rattling torque converter (TC) / front pump (only pump actually), at 7 months. Trans shop said normal, I took it to two different shops, with one shop owned by 18+ year ford line tech. Both said torque converter or one of the bearings the pump rides on was/is going bad. Trans shop kept truck for almost a month, claimed they had trouble warranting the TC, but said it was replaced. Also claimed to check pump and bearing, no issues. I also requested that they verify they installed the shift kit they claimed. Truck would engage reverse very quickly, not harsh, but take about 3 to 4 seconds for drive to engage. Both scenarios where when coming from park to either R or D.

When truck was returned, Reverse was VERY lazy to engage from Park or Drive, as long as 5 seconds. From Park or Reverse to Drive was only about 1 to 2 seconds, normal in my eyes. I questioned the owner rather abruptly about this. He said all is good, no codes, two year unlimited mileage warranty would cover any issues.

Fast forward to late December. Son leaving work, stops to lock gate, shifts to drive and nothing. Shuts off truck, and checks under to see if any fluid is pouring out (that's what roasted out the first one, pump seal pushed out). Re-starts, goes into reverse no problem. Shifts back to drive and it will move, but requires a heavy accelerator. Drives home approx. 3 miles, and truck is barely moving. Reverse seems fine, but Drive feels like someone is standing on the brakes and gas at the same time. Truck hauled to trans shop next day (flat bed). Final diagnosis is bad ECU. According to shop owner, ECU (or PCM whatever it is called) is commanding MAX LINE PRESSURE when the truck is put in drive. Of course, driving it for the short distance from work to my home had caused the front hub (can't recall the proper name) to crack, and the clutches to all basically weld themselves together. Complete rebuild of trans, but no new TC. I raised nine kinds of heck about that, since it had no drain plug, and he did not have a machine to clean the internals of the TC other than many flushes with what he said was an approved cleaner. I offered to supply a new trans cooler, but somehow he forgot about that. He claims he flushed out the cooler and lines, how thoroughly is anyones guess.

Upon picking up the truck (Feb 1), he said that the truck had obviously been "mudding" and had larger tires installed, and that his warranty did not cover abuse. I explained that the truck had the EXACT same tire size (33" on a 17" rim, came from factory with 17" rims) as when I brought it in to be rebuilt the first time, and explained that the truck was used for hunting and light trailer towing (less than 5,000lbs, 3 to 4 four wheelers) at that time also. I requested that he build the transmission to account for the configuration the truck was currently in, and how it was to be used. I hid nothing from him, as I was willing to pay a little extra to get a trans built that would last till my son is out of college. The truck has what I would call very aggressive shifts in all forward gears, with a normal delay when going to Reverse from either park or drive.

To sum up, is a bad ECU, PCM something that is common on a truck that has not seen a harsh life? Thanks.

 

My resolution for others to learn:

Just wanted to put some closure on my E4OD issues.

After latest rebuild from original shop (OP in this thread), truck started to shift very erratically less than a month after picking it up. Also O/D light flashing, and very hard shifts (1 to 2) at times. Did not trust original shop (OS), so took truck to a recommended shop from a life long F150 driver (old friend I ran into).

New Shop offered to remove and tear down trans in front of OS personnel. OS declined invite (from me), and said if ANYONE broke it open other than them, warranty null and void. No problem, will take pictures and video if needed for coming court case. What New trans shop found (I was present for inspection)
1. Torque converter was NOT the model referenced in my original invoice (pictures of this).
2. Valve body was FULL of clutch material, filter was extremely dirty. Shop owner said it looked like a filter with 100,000+ miles on it, not one rebuilt less than a month ago......unless they were reusing filters .
3. NO evidence of shift kit installed. Holes in plate that are to be drilled to larger size were not (used drill bits and instructions to verify).
4. Main wire harness connection on side of transmission was cracked.

Internal inspection, owner said steels/clutches appeared to be mismatched salvaged pieces. Only a couple had visible markings (in defense, new shop owner not all clutches have identifiable markings, but wear was uneven between all of them).

So basically, I was stiffed by someone who was/is more interested in money than starting a new business and working to make it successful. New shop did rebuild with only a six month, 6,000 mile warranty, for a very fair price to allow me to sell the truck with a clear conscience to a new owner.

Truck shifts like a dream , holds second and third gear out a little further in the RPM's, and Overdrive comes in at around 46 to 48 mph. Hammer on it in a passing situation or entering a freeway and shifts are positive and solid, LIKE THEY SHOULD BE .

Moral of the story, E4OD's are great trannys, just be sure your rebuilder/trans shop understands them. Hope this helps someone avoid my situation.

P.S. Legal proceedings are moving forward against original shop with refund of new shop rebuild cost as my disposition.