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1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis Econolines. E150, E250, E350, E450 and E550

Transmission issues

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Old Mar 16, 2012 | 08:28 AM
  #1  
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Transmission issues

Finally have my 1999 E-350 on the road after doing all four disc brakes from rotors
to calipers.

Next issue is the tranny. There is some hesitation or slipping in what appears to be the third gear. Shifts fine from one to two and two to three. Level roads are no problem but when I hit a hill I feel it slipping in and out. Down shift into two and no slipping at all.

If I hit a hill going about 50mph I feel no slipping. It pulls great and I can easily get her up to 60+ on a hill with a load in the van. It's when I'm going under 50 that I feel it slip.

Right now I'm adding some Lucas tranny fix. I've had good luck in the past with my VW van. Cured the slipping completely and that was about six years ago, now. Added about half a container. Still having trouble getting a clear read on that dip stick so taking it slow on adding fluid.

Can anyone offer some suggestions as to what the cause may be. Anything I can do myself?

Thanks!
 
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Old Mar 16, 2012 | 08:37 AM
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I'm taking a long shot... Since you can't get a read on the trans dip stick, Maybe you don't have any fluid in there.

Add fluid til you can see something. Each time I pull mine out it's very easy to tell how much and the condition of it.
If you over fill too much, you can siphon it out with a small hose through the dip stick tube.
 
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Old Mar 16, 2012 | 08:53 AM
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There is fluid but the question is... is there enough? See my post on reading the level.

Here's my concern. When I got the can the two hoses to the tranny cooler were old and leaking fluid at the connections. Had to have lost fluid that was not replaced by the last owner... a township in RI that went belly up. Their maintenance on the van was less than stellar and that's putting it kindly. In fact, I still need to clean up the fluid and dirt that's caked on the lower left side of the radiator from all the blow back as it dripped out.

So I'm kind of expecting I'm low on fluid but I do get a reading on the dip stick. Question is, is it a correct reading. Still working on that.

What kind of damage will I do if I over fill it?
 
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Old Mar 16, 2012 | 09:20 AM
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Mark Kovalsky
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If you overfill it the rotating parts will whip the fluid into foam. Foam does not lubricate. Also, foam has a lot more volume so it will be forced out the vent and out the dipstick tube, making the trans even lower on fluid.

If the trans is really slipping it's toast. It takes 2-3 seconds of slipping with power on to totally destroy a clutch. I think you may be feeling an unlocked torque converter, which is normal.
 
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Old Mar 16, 2012 | 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky
If the trans is really slipping it's toast. It takes 2-3 seconds of slipping with power on to totally destroy a clutch. I think you may be feeling an unlocked torque converter, which is normal.


Can you please explain what you mean by this? Especially the second statement about unlocked torque converter.

Also, are there any electrical signals that are being sent to the controller that I can check with my code reader. It has a function for use while the vehicle is in operation. I did replace the neutral switch on the transmission last week. Would not shift out of first when I got it. Switch was filled with water when I took it off!

Thanks!
 
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