Boys:

I plan on hooking up to the 5'ver (26-foot Terry - 8,500 lbs) and pulling it to Saskatchewan this spring for a reunion. My truck (99SD CC V10 4x4) and would like your input on what I should do for a transmission check before I head out. I have 106K on the engine and tranny. The engine is running great, no oil burning and it still pulls like a dream. I have shorty JBA headers, K&N FIPK and a superchip and no complaints to-date.

PS 4 spd. Automatic tranny.....

Vegas-V10

 

Vegas-V10

First is a relube of the stock tranny and I do not think mobile 1 or other full synthetics give you any serious cost benifit. The Factory Mercon V is just fine and expensive enough.

Second add a tranny temp gauge and monitor for any indication above 208F and if climbing to 210F towards 220F back off and slow down.

Consider a $50-100 Hayden additional trans cooler. Cheap insurance in my humble opinion.

The 4R100 has a few bad habits... notably "hunting" and unwillingness to hold a gear with the torque converter locked on modest hills. This is exasperated because the 99 and 2000-2004 V10 were just slightly underpowered for some loads. When mated to a 4R100 4 speed auto tranny the PCM would lock and unlock the torque converter at inappropriate times (shy of the hill crest) and superheat the tranny fluid.

Several of us learned the tranny behavior and we would deliberatly kick OUT OD and run the hill in top gear at a higher RPM. Sometimes it is wise to deliberatly down shift to next lower gear and accept the 4600-5000 rpm cost to keep up to 55-65 mph... these high rpms do not terribly heat the trany fluid.... mostly low rpm, high torque, and an unlocked torque converter are the cause for smoking hot tranny fluid...

So why so much concern on tranny fluid temps? Because at normal operating temp Mercon acts as a lubricant and detergent removing heat and crap. Elevate the temp past 220F and the stuff starts to oxidise and loose it's lubricating quality and the added heat and friction cause close toelerance parts to get tighter and so on and so on until you have a thermal mess that can not slip, or cool and then next thing you know there goes $5000 for a new trans.

 

Just be careful about Mercon vs Mercon V. Some folks say their dipstick says Mercon only. Others say Mercon V only. Mine says Mercon only.

 

Be aware that MERCON V will kill the 4R100 transmission. ONLY use MERCON fluid in this transmission.

 

You guys are right and good catch!

I should say something like "factory spec" and keep myself out of this troublel... comes from having too many trucks and three different oil spces between them all.

 

Boys:

Thanks for the info.... I will service the tranny this weekend and shop for a transmission heat guage if I get my honey-do list done soon enough.

I just now noticed that I made it to 'freshman user' Yaa hoo!! I feel all grown up now........

Vegas-V10

 

Go with Mobil 1 atf, for extra protection against heat.

 

Vegas: Find a Banks dealer for your tranny temp gauge. They have designated areas but can get one to you in a day or two. Most likely can install correctly as well. Banks comes with the proper adapter fitting for the tranny after removing the plug just above the pan on drivers side. It's above fluid level so won't lose much mercon. Also, can place in dash just in front of shift lever using bezel that comes with gauge so that it's in plain/clear view, day or night.(2" hole saw and round file) Why Banks??? 1/4 milers and circle runners use Banks because they can take the punishment. Just a suggestion....

 

Banks products don't make crap for power and are over priced, do some looking around, it's been this way for a long time hate to say...

 

Sorry Vegas. Forgot to be sure that you knew a tranny temp gauge WOULDN'T do anything for power.....hmmmm.

 

Auto Meter makes nice gauges and a variety of gauge pods. As a matter of fact, I have a steering column pod that holds one 2 1/8" gauge that is for sale. It fits '99-'04 Super Duty with automatic trans. Give someone a good deal. Trans temp gauges are easy to install, at least on the 4R100. Remove a filler plug on the drivers side of the tranny, screw in the supplied sending unit, hook up the wire and you're done. As far as preventative maintenance goes, I would keep it simple. If you're not experiencing any problems I would just do a fluid and filter change, can't hurt. I would also recommend a trans temp gauge, especially if you are going to be towing a heavy trailer up and down hills. Being able to monitor temp could ultimately help you prevent major problems down the road.

 

tinbarn, I didn't mean anything by that, just that he could get a guage much cheaper elsewhere, I ment that Banks doesn't make the power in general. There guages look good, but not for the money. There is a class action law-suit going on with Banks because there six gun\speed loader isn't making squat for power. They were good back in the day when people were putting turbos on 6.2's and such, now it's all about the electronics and they are just behind, hate to see this guy spend twice what he could pay elsewhere for the same product.

 

Try Summit, or JC Whitney or maybe Jegs. They're online too, Summit has a cooler/gauge/install kit for a couple two/three 20's. Dropping the pan is a good idea because your filter needs to be replaced. Be careful buying a filter, some kits charge you for a gasket, and alot of the E4OD's/4R100's have a reusable filter. And their are two different snout tips on the filters, so check if you have the long or the short. You can nip off the long snout, but can't extend the short. The very best way is to drop the pan and have the system pumped out. Approx 6-7 quarts only come out with a pan drop, which is 1/3 maybe ? Under 200 degrees is where tranny fluid lives the longest, Ken

 

Hey Vegas V-10---I think I know that Truck. Seems I might have work on it in Vegas. Is this the same Truck that blew a spark plug out when you tried to blow one of them Farmers off the road from Saskatchewan. As I remember the old Crown Vic took you. Anyway Vegas I'll have my tools handy when you get here in July. I think we may have to put some duel pipes and a hood scoop on that truck for cooling---anyway get that coverter hook up for computer.

Saskcowboy

 

Typo, I meant alot of the kits come with a new gasket, which you won't want to use, there is a reusable on alot of Ford's tranny's, and there are anti-crush sleeves that are much better at sealing the pan in the stock gasket, Ken