E4OD Fluid Change Question

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Sep 2, 2004 | 07:31 AM

ParisDakar

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From: Southeast PA

E4OD Fluid Change Question

When I change the transmission fluid in my 97 Expy, only about 6 quarts drains out. I read that the capacity of the E4OD is 16 quarts, and I read where some mechanics say changing (flushing?) the fluid will use 16-20 quarts. Where is the other 10+ quarts of fluid? Am I only changing about a third of the fluid at a time? And if that's the case, why does the fluid look so clean if 2/3 of it was never changed, even after the truck has been run a few days to recirculate. Can someone clarify please? Thanks.

Sep 2, 2004 | 09:00 AM

MOOK929RR

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The rest of the fluid is in the torque converter i believe, but i dont know exactly where that is. Once the tranny pan is drained and the torque converter is drained, you should be able to get at least 14-15 quarts out. Can anyone point out where the torque converter is, and where its drain bolt is?

Sep 2, 2004 | 09:03 AM

turbo TED

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From: WEST TEXAS

Dakar drain the torque converter & wow it will drain for about 10 min, on my last fluid & filter change it took 18 quarts.
LIVE LONG AND PROSPER.............TURBOTED

Sep 2, 2004 | 09:40 AM

jas88

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From: Greater Austin, Texas

The torque converter is between the transmission and the engine. It takes the place of the clutch on a manual trans. I don't know if yours has a drainplug or not - my 2000 F250 has one but my 2000 Expy does not.

Sep 2, 2004 | 03:59 PM

MOOK929RR

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Im reading other threads and it says every expi up to 2002 should have a drain plug. I guess you have to turn it over until the plug is visable, correct?

Sep 2, 2004 | 06:11 PM

ParisDakar

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From: Southeast PA

OK. I'm with you. How do I then refill the converter with fluid? Through the dipstick/filler tube? Will the torque converter pump itself full again?

Sep 2, 2004 | 08:22 PM

wwwtbirdforumcom

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From: Cumberland

search other posts for how to's.

once you drain the pan you can run the engine and the pan will fill up again

once you drain the pan run the engine again, eventually the torque converter will empty. don't forget the coolant lines - drain those too.

again, search the old posts. the converter will fill itself up because the trans pumps fluid into it.

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Sep 2, 2004 | 10:01 PM

PbFoot

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MOOK929RR

Look for a rubber grommet/plug on the underside of the transmission. It will be towards the forward end directly on the bottom. The grommet is maybe about 2 inches in diameter. Remove the grommet and look up in the hole. What you see is the bottom of the torque converter. If you see a bolt head sticking out of the convertor you are in luck!! If you don't, you need to rotate the convertor until you see it. With the tranny in park, I had my wife "bump" the engine over until the drain plug was visible in the hole. I was really lucky, and got it positioned in about 3 tries. There may be other methods to rotate the tranny, but I found this one to work fine, just might take some patience. Once the drain bolt is pointing down at the hole, remove it and drain the fluid.

Hope this helps,
Pbfoot