E40D Transmission Overheating

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Feb 24, 2023 | 09:43 AM

Wooten7868

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8th Gear

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E40D Transmission Overheating

Hi, I have a 1992 F150 4x4 with the 5.8V8 and the E40D transmission. The transmission was just rebuilt and I installed a trans cooler. The truck has 35 in tires and 4.10 gears. I am still having problems were if I drive it through decent wind or up hills, the transmission will get hot and the torque converter wont lock up. It will also slip out of gear when it gets hot. I have not installed a transmission temp gauge so I'm not sure of the operating temp when this occurs. Thanks.

Feb 24, 2023 | 12:18 PM

My4Fordtrucks

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Joined: Jun 2015

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The transmission must be slipping to be having trouble in the wind or climbing hills. Low line pressure? Unless you were the e4od rebuilder you need to take the truck back to whoever did the job.

There was a post about an e4od slipping in second or third gear(?) and Mark K said the transmission was probably toast if he drove it like that for any distance. Good luck.

Feb 24, 2023 | 12:37 PM

Prototypemech

Logistics Pro

Joined: Nov 2013

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From: Mojave, Ca

As with any problem, the first step is to prove you have a problem.
Transmission temp gauges are cheap and easy to install. It doesn't need to be a permanent installation.

Feb 24, 2023 | 01:04 PM

knottyrope

Lead Driver

Joined: Apr 2016

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From: Bahstun

did you install the cooler after the rad?
Did you by pass the rad?
did it over heat prior to the cooler being added?

Feb 26, 2023 | 08:08 PM

Wooten7868

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8th Gear

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Quote:

Originally Posted by knottyrope

did you install the cooler after the rad?
Did you by pass the rad?
did it over heat prior to the cooler being added?

I made the mistake of installing the cooler before the radiator.

Feb 26, 2023 | 09:32 PM

Prototypemech

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From: Mojave, Ca

Depending on who you talk to, that's the correct way of doing it.

Feb 27, 2023 | 07:06 AM

JJF20

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Joined: Nov 2017

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From: Northern Ontario

If I remember correct, mark kovalsky recommends factory rad cooler, then auxiliary cooler. I’m about to try a Tru-Cool aux cooler with a 180* thermal bypass.

You need a temp guage. When it over heats, it will go into limp mode.

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Feb 27, 2023 | 08:07 AM

Mark Kovalsky

Frmr Ford Trans Engr

Joined: Aug 1999

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From: SE Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prototypemech

Depending on who you talk to, that's the correct way of doing it.

There are two schools of thought on how to do this.

One way is to go from the trans to the radiator, then to the aux cooler, then back to the trans. The other way is wrong.

The radiator cooler is FAR more effective than the aux cooler. It will take A LOT more heat out of the ATF. Then the aux cooler lowers the temperature a bit more. If you route it the other way you will slightly increase the efficiency of the small (aux) cooler while diminishing the efficiency of the main (radiator) cooler. You will not cool the trans as much this way.