Can anyone tell me what model trans is in a 2005 Ford E450 Class Motorhome chassis? It is a 2005 Monaco Esquire 31PBS Class C motorhome on a Ford E450 chassis.

The original window sticker states:

4 speed automatic transmission with overdrive.

I would like to do some research on this trans and find out how best to maintain and service, especially optimum operating trans temps during hot ambient temps (90-110 F) especially while towing a 3500# boat.

Does the trans come equipped with a factory trans oil cooler or is just the standard trans cooler through bottom/side of radiator?

I wonder if a trans temp gauge and aftermarket trans cooler are in my future? I installed both of these in my 1992 F350/460 gas/E40D trans and they worked great. Cooler was a Tru Cool MAX trans cooler that has worked great.

Thanks!

 

That's a 4R100.

All automatic transmissions come with a transmission oil cooler. This one has two coolers, one in the radiator and one out front.

Optimum trans temp is 170-200F. You can run as high as 220F all day long with no problems. You can go as high as 250F for no more than a half hour at a time.

If it does get hot, DO NOT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF! Idle or fast idle in park or neutral to cool it.

 

Thanks Mark.

Considering this is in a 31' Class C motorhome, and trans temps may be higher than on a pickup due to added weight, would you think the OEM coolers are adequate in the desert temps I will typically encounter (95-105F)?

Is a temp gauge in this application a good idea to monitor temps? If yes, where is temp sender best installed on the 4R100?

Perhaps it is wise to install a temp gauge first and then see if any cooler changes are needed.

Thanks

 

It is wise to install the gauge first and see if you need more cooling. It was designed to cool in desert conditions at maximum gross combined load.

Install the sender in the pressure test port on the driver's side of the trans. This port has a black hex head pipe plug from the factory. It's just above the pan rail, towards the front of the transmission. It has a 1/8" NPT dryseal thread, so don't use any sealer on it.

 

Great, thanks again, Mark.

Also, is the 4R100 serviced in the same as the E40D?
Does is it have a TC drain plug (my E40D had one)?
Does it have a trans pan drain plug?

I followed your instructions listed on the forum on how to service a E40D and they worked great.

What I learned from your instructions...

1. Added a trans temp gauge and found temps over 225F without towing in ambient temps around 90F

2. I was able to test trans fluid flow through radiator by removing a trans line and running for 15 seconds....found that flow was not what it needed to be

I removed pan, drained torque converter, and reassembled with new trans pan with drain plug (from an E40D 4X4), new filter, pan gasket, and replaced radiator as flow had diminished substantially.

All has been excellent with trans since I preformed the above.

Thanks

 

Exactly the same. The 4R100 is basically an E4OD with a new name. There were also some hardware changes, but it isn't a different transmission.
No, it does not. Ford went on a big cost cutting plan in 2001/2002 and the drain plug was eliminated.
I don't remember. From the previous answer, probably not.

 

Mark, thanks, yet again.

If there is no drain plug in TC, how is fluid removed/drained during service?

I installed a trans pan with drain plug on my E40D because it had a TC drain plug. This allowed for all fluid to be drained.

Is it recommended to install a trans pan with drain plug on the 4R100? I would think since there is no TC drain plug, it defeats the purpose of draining the pan but not being able to drain TC.

 

Here is how to change all of the fluid. You don't need a drain plug in the torque converter or the pan.

Changing ATF Fluid in a E4OD and 4R100 transmission - Ford-Trucks.com

 

FWIW I've performed Mark's method on two different 4R70W's, each with over 200K miles at the time.

Its outrageously simple for anyone accustomed to DIY repair. In my case I did add a pan drain plug "just because......." at which time the trans filter was also changed for the same reason.

When I do this next time the pan's won't be dropped--its simply not necessary using Mark's method.

HTH

 

Mark--

Is it possible I have a 5 speed trans? I ask because I read somewhere that if I had the TOW/HAUL button on gear selector arm, it was a 5 speed. If it had the OVERDRIVE OFF button, it was a 4 speed. Mine has the TOW/HAUL button.

I also read that Coach builders would sometimes use previous year chassis, i.e., my 2005 Monaco is on a 2004 chassis.

I also read that the 5 speed trans came out in 2005.

My door jamb sticker has a date of 10/04.

I little confused. How can I identify trans to be sure?

Thanks!