Hi, Everyone!

I wanted to get some advice as to how to not find myself in the same situation in another 50k miles. In February of 2023, I purchased a 2013 E-50 highroof van with 162k miles that had been used for a local mobility service. They have since converted to Transits, so they sold off their remaining E-Series fleet. I had a couple of mechanics inspect the van - nothing noted except for a few minor issues. I did find an invoice from 2017 for a Jasper transmission which replaced the original. I knew the vehicle had been involved in a front end collision about the same time, so I figured that it was probably related. At any rate, I purchased the vehicle and am still glad I did. It is in remarkably great cosmetic condition (AND no ODBC codes having been thrown for the 2000 miles I've put on it thus far). The engine is so quiet that I sometime forget that it is running and uses no oil. After driving it from NC to OH with no issues, I began to notice a "whirring" noise upon deceleration. I thought it might be the wheel bearings (they were fairly shot and I had them replaced), but that did not resolve the sound.

Long story short, I dropped it off with the top transmission shop in town. They have treated me right over the years and dealerships send their "problem children" to them, so I trust their advice. They called back today to give me some bad news. The whirring and the leaks point to an issue in the front of the transmission, which will require the whole thing to be pulled out. Likely, it will need a rebuild, unless the planetary gears look good and the problem turns out to be in the rear differential (I had its fluid changed when I bought it just in case). I purchased this van partly based upon my experience with an F-150 that I purchased new in 2003 and drove for 13 years / 310k miles with no major engine or transmission issues at all. I also made sure that the engine in the 350 was a 5.4 2-valve, to avoid the 3 valve issues. Based on the Ford VIN translator, the original transmission is a code 44T, 44Q, which seems to indicate this transmission: Five-speed automatic transmission 5R110W. This might not pertain to 2013 E-350 / 5.4 Gas engines, I'm just not sure. At any rate, the Jasper transmission that is currently installed is a 4R75E. Is this the right transmission for this van to begin with?

More importantly, are these transmissions only good for 50k - 75k with light loads? I'm converting this to a bare-bones camper, so I won't go anywhere near the GVWR. Is there some magic to keep these running for 100k plus? Hoping this is due to stop/go driving and possibly poor maintenenance in the past, rather than normal MTBF. I don't like the idea of plunking down $3600 dollars every couple of years or so.

Thanks for any information that you can provide!
Angie

 

44T and 44Q are two completely different codes for two completely different transmissions. What is your vehicle VIN number? You can use a VIN decoder site to get a break down of what is in your truck.

The options for a 2013 E350 van were the 4R75E which is a 4 speed automatic and a 5R110W which is a 5 speed transmission. The 5.4 engines came with the 4R75E and the v10 6.8 engines came with the 5R110W.

Obviously they are not interchangable, your ECU is programmed to operate a 4 speed transmission not a 5 speed.

44Q = 4 speed being 1st,2nd,Drive + overdrive
44T = 5 speed being 1st,2nd,3rd, Drive + overdrive

Your questions about longevity are impossible to answer as no two people treat their vehicle the same. Some people abuse vehicles, some people dont do maintenance, some people just have bad luck. Tranmissions can fail even if you follow the manufacturers service intervals and are a maintenance guru. Some transmission shops arent as qualified to be doing rebuilds as others might be and some shouldnt even be in the business to begin with.

 

The transmission shop can't tell the difference between a transmission noise and a rear differential noise?

Honestly I think your may be jumping the gun a little, here's why. I retired an 06 E250 year before last with 350k on the clock, transmission(4R75w) still worked perfectly but the rear axle howled pretty loudly on throttle., not so much off throttle. Apparently that isn't unsual for these Dana 60's and I think it is a warn and/or substandard pinion bearing. It made that noise when I bought it a few years and 75k earlier but the diff didn't leak and I put fresh fluid in it and decided to run it, normally I would have fixed that kind of thing but I only paid $2500 for the truck so this was always going to be a drive it into the ground type of vehicle. My current van has the same powertrain, another 4R75w currently at 200k or so that has never once behaved unusual... same as the other van, the rear axle in this one is quiet but there are lots of other that aren't so IMO the axle is more likely to be the source of your noise.

 

Prop shaft u-joints? Defective tire?

Does it sound different if you downshift as you decelerate? If it’s coming from the front of the transmission, it should should sound different at higher engine rpm. Output shaft to wheels will sound the same.

Sixto
07 E350 5.4 195K miles

 

The 4R7xx family of transmissions is well known for whining. It occurs from the design of the gear set. There is no way to fix it, and it does not cause any problems, other than people complain about the whine. I'll bet if you have them rebuild the trans it will still have the whine.

 

Hello, Everyone and THANKS for the information and tips! The information that I posted earlier about the transmission codes identified by the VIN (44P, 44T) came from this page:

​​​​​​https://www.manualslib.com/manual/62....html?page=298

I'm pretty sure now that this does not apply to my 2013 and that the 4r75e is what my van originally came with from the factory. So, at this point, I'll relay the information here to the shop and see if that changes their diagnosis. After this, I'll keep very close tabs on fluid and routine maintenance as I do for all of my vehicles.

Thanks, again!
Angie

 

My van had a whine ever since I bought it, the transmission was rebuilt 10 years ago, found the case was cracked, but was driving fine, after the rebuild its quiet, no whine, I have a 4R100.

 

4R100s usually do not whine. If they do, something is wrong. They are a very different design than the 4R7xx family.