Does anyone out there have the straight facts on what is going on with the auto transmissions in the pre- super duty powerstroke diesel trucks? I've heard that they blow out the tourque converters at around 70 -80k and that it is a very expensive repair. I know that the 2-3 upshift in my 97 350 is very harsh and is rhe same on all other powerstrokes that I have ridden in. I've heard so many different stories that I don't know who to believe. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks

Paul Thomas

 

I have the same trany in a f350 super duty it just cost me 3500 dollars to have it repaired at 100000 miles! I had no worning it was going it just went get yours fixed at first sign of a problem

 

get the biggest cooler that you can find, wrap the trans line next to the down pipe with headerwrap or other insulation,use full synthetic fluid and change it at 30,000 miles like recommended,do not use mercon v fluid.
I have 140,000 miles on mine with no problems whatsoever,I tow a bobcat,tow a utility trailer, haul butt, and the truck is loaded at around 8,000lbs everyday. and the harsh shift went away at 30,000 miles when I switched to castrol syntec full synthetic trans fluid.

 

My E4OD Trans just crapped out for the second time. First time with 21K, this time with 36k on the Ford rebuild. Ford dosen't want to know anything about it as I only had the standard warranty. My local trans guy has the truck now and I'm waiting on the diagnosis/ estimate. From what I understand these trannys crap out pretty regular. Does anybody know what to do about it, or have any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Scott

 

My TC went out at 30K, Ford replaced it with a reman. unit that went out at 20 MILES (not a typo), with the O/D light flashing.
The 3rd TC has been in for 5K miles and I sometimes feel some slight shudder at the 2-3 shift. I installed a MAXI-KOOL 28K GVWR trans cooler, drained out 20oz of fluid and added a bottle of Lucas trans fix after Ford replaced the 3rd TC. From what I'v read, keep them cool, freshly oiled and if you even feel the slightest shudder, take it in for service. If the TC shreds apart it will send debris throughout the entire trans and ruin it. Make sure that the cooler AND lines are flushed when they install a new TC.

 

The only reason I am here is because my 97 f-350
4X4 is acting up. I bought it used with 60k miles on it. Heard nothing but good about the powerstroke engine so I guess I forgot to check on trannies/problems before buying. I noticed a shudder at the 2/3 shift point on ocasion but it "went away" now with 69k it has started to stay in low on pull out from a stop and not shift at all but the interesting thing is if you let off of the throttle quickly it feels like a grenade is going off under the truck. If you let off the throttle slowley it gets to a coast point and shifts without the EXPLOSION.I bought this truck thinking I would never wear it out or have to do more than routine maintenance but I guess by what I am reading here and elsewhere I better SELL it or hope my daughter marries a trannie guy.(the truck is still driving but now even my wife has notice it shifts funny-thats a whole diferrent story!!) Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Oh no!!! I was seriously considering buying a 97 F-250 HD with PowerStroke and Auto for wife to tow horse trailer. Is this not a good tranny in these trucks? Is there anything that can be done?? And wouldn't this be the same tranny in the same truck with a 460 gas engine? Did Ford make any other autos for these trucks?

 

Guys,
The E4OD is geeting a bad rap for little reason. The only problem with them is the converter. Ford has an updated heavier converter that completely fixes the problem, but some dealers know nothing of this and will continue replacing tc wit hthe same old part number. This will guarrantee a new one down the road. I have had one tc and trans at 11,000, then another tc at 22,000. At this time, I made sure the new one was put in. We even confirmed what part mnumber was in the first replacement, and it was the bad one. I now have 41,000 miles and it shifts better and runs quieter than when I took it off the lot.

What happens is the converter starts stretching from the massive torque applied by the powerstroke(it just happenes sooner in the 99 and up because of more powerfull engine designs). This causes them to start to shread and throw metal thru transmission tearing it up. You will hear the tc get real noisy, this is the first sign. Get it in quick, change tc, valve body and flush tranny and you will save trans.
Bob

 

just a hint to all of you dont buy automatics if you plan on towing or actualy using your trucks
slush boxs can not take the abuse that a manual can

 

 

I have a 95 f250 4X4 with 7.3 engine. I have had nothing but trouble with the transmission. Starting a 6k the first one went. The second one lasted till 62K. The third one which I paid for out of pocket lasted 14K and has been in the shop three times with the dealership trying to stop missed shifts and the OD light flashing. Does anyone know if Ford is going to do anything with changing out what appears to be a bad transmission?

 

Maybe I am naive and all, but I just had to add my 2 cents.
I cannot understand why Ford or any other manufacturer has not utilized the time-tested, mother-approved Allison 4 sp. auto tranny in their trucks and give up on designing their own. I think I saw an ad stating that Chevy/GMC was going to start using an Allison tranny in their diesel pickups. If I had a 2 wheel drive truck and was looking for an auto, I know what I would stuff into it!!!

DannyP
89 F-150 4x4 former EFI I-6 now carbed 351W, Edelbrock heads,cam,intake,carb.
MSD 6A, ZF, Sterling 10.25 with 3.55L's.

 

I have driven over 250,000 miles in my two trucks with PSDs and E4ODs and have never had a problem with the trans. since my first post on this topic, I purchased a second truck and added the B&M finned trans pan and a second cooler. I always use full synthetic fluid though. I have noticed that when the truck shifts funny, I disconnect the batteries, and re-boot. works every time.

BTW the Allison trans dosent work flawlessly either, they just handle the problems a LOT better than ford. I have seen several grenaded "world" transmissions already so far I am not impressed.

I have had allisons in medium duty trucks before and if I get my way I will never own another.

 

I have never had any first hand experience with the Allison except that I rode school buses for 10 years equipped with Allisons with nary a failure. We also have a spotter truck at work that gets driven by guys who could tear up an anvil with a rubber hammer and it has held up well.

DannyP
89 F-150 4x4 former EFI I-6 now carbed 351W, Edelbrock heads,cam,intake,carb.
MSD 6A, ZF, Sterling 10.25 with 3.55L's.

 

I have heard that Ford started using the Allison's also behind the PSD. Is this true?