I have a 95 E250 5.8L with the E40D tranny, I was on a road trip when it started spewing hot tranny fluid up a hill and lost transmission pressure. It is not currently leaking and only holds enough pressure to move when it is cold. filled up fluid did not fix the problem. Also I have to pretty much floor it to get it to move forward and reverse is almost nonexistent. the tranny seems to be slipping bad, not sure if its the pump gasket possibly the filter came loose but does not explain the the leaking from when it crapped out. Im assuming the tranny overheated, didn't have a temp gauge to see. Nothing I have read quite matches up with my symptoms. Im lost please help!

 

It is probably the torque converter hub seal. It is a weak point in the E4OD. Trying to move it while it was low on fluid and slipping probably destroyed the forward clutch.

 

I towed it home on the spot and didn't drive it till I filled it back up. Took it around the block today, starts up like a champ but I heard a loud clunk and felt a jerk. Not sure exactly what it would be but the torque converter makes sense. no leaks today either. I'm actually selling the van so dropping the tranny isn't worth it to me, The transmission filter has fallen off once before. Tomorrow i'm going to drain the fluid and check easy stuff, and hope for the best. still thinking the transmission would need to be dropped to fix the issue.

 

If the torque converter hub seal is the only issue would it still slip if I was not seeing any leaking in the Bellhousing?

 

The E4OD transmission is a good heavy duty tranny.

But, then they go, there gone.

Had the same problem in June, going up a hill, under heavy load, and it puked tranny fluid out the front end, got it towed back.

But, I also had the "slight" dripping from the front, when going in reverse, which indicates that the front pump seal is leaking.
I was also getting the "shutter" at highway speeds, which is the sign that's it time to start shopping for a new tranny.

I got a re-man from a local shop, and had it swapped out in 1-1/2 days, and back on the road.

I think your at that point that what every you try to fix, will not work, it's just that time to re-place.

If your selling the van for junk, then that's the price you'll get, spent the money for a re-man tranny, and you'll re-coup that in the sale.

 

I dont know how to post pictures on here but i pulled out three very thin flat and shredded pieces of metal one was folded over not sure if that helps a diagnosis and there was a ton of gooey metallic material and some that shimmered goldish like brass

 

The next step would be to remove the trans and tear it down to find out what broke. Sorry.