Hey guys,
How hard is it to change fluid and filter on an E40D tranny (90 F150)? Any tips, tricks or recommendations? Or should I wimp out and have a shop do it?

 

If this is the first tranny fluid change in a 90 E4OD, or if it has just been a long time between its last service. I personaly would take it to a shop that has one those tranny fluid cycle machines(they cycle the entire fluid content of the tranny). I would also have them change the filter. It is not a hard project however to change it yourself. Drop the tranny fluid pan, pull out the filter, pop the torque converter drain plug cover, rotate the motor untill the drain plug is accessable, drain the torque converter, and then reassemble, make sure the filter is seated propperly. Problem is you still wont get all of the old fluid out. You can check the magnet at the bottom of the tranny fluid pan for metal shavings, but it does not tell the whole story due to the fact that the early E4ODs used a lot of brass races, gears, bushings, etc. I would still suggest the complete cycleing of the fluid at a competent shop. The early E4ODs are failure prone to start with, due to some poor design characteristics,(corrected in later models), poor maintenance only compounds an already potential catastrophic failure. The OD gear is often the first to go,due to torque converter slippage causing extreme heat build up, resulting in meltdown of its brass inner bushing,(dont tow in OD), the resulting slop causes poor circulating pressure from the fluid pump, and everything spirals downward from there. Once the tranny fluid has been heated up to extreme temps created by the torque converter it is essentialy destroyed so removing as much old fluid as possible can only help. An ounce of prevention ....
Jeff

 

Would'nt the fluid smell burnt and be a darker color if it was overheated or is it possible to have damaged fluid without being able to tell?

 

It will look darker, but it doesnt have to be so burnt that it smells, before it loses its affective viscosity. Unless you completely flush your tranny the new fluid will look pretty dark though right after the change. I would not wait for noticeable signs of quality degredation in any case. If you arent on a scheduled maintenace program, and it has been a while since your last change, I would suggest a complete change out of the fluid, then a filter and change about every 20k or every year if you tow often. My 91 F250 was used exclusively for towing a heavy 5th wheel for 7 years, and I serviced the tranny by draining and changing the filter,(complete cycleing was not available),every spring for 8 years with conventional fluid, it had a catastrophic failure last spring with only 49K, and this is not an isolated incedent. I would just suggest extra precaution to avoid the same. My rebuild and high performance mods ran well over $3000, and I now use synthetic fluids which runs over $100 every change. But if you would rather rely on look, smell, or even tasting, well, thats an option also,(just kidding). Its common knowledge though, that the early(pre-94)E4ODs,(most mods were in place by 94) are notoriousley problematic. Once rebuilt propperly with all of the new mods they become a very top performance, efficient and reliable tranny..., the trick, is to avoid the almost inevitable rebuild for as long as possible. Later,
Jeff

 

Is there anyway to tell if you have a late or early model trans. My 94 Bronco trans went at 60k and the dealer replaced it with a factory reman unit. The dealer told me it had all the latest updates. I don't know how much I trust the dealer because I wasn't paying for it(bought the truck used andthe trans went before I took delivery) and they were really pushing the Ext warrenty thing. Also my trans slips alot under heavy load. I believe it's the converter.

 

I just posted a separate topic asking about a "clunk" that happends when my 92 F150's E4OD downshifts from overdrive to standard gearing. I am guessing, based on what you guys say, that my OD gear is shot, or rapidly getting that way, and I should head for the shop pronto to get it fixed. Just had the fluid changed, but that made no noticeable difference. If my diagnosis is right, what other modifications, fixes, or repairs can be made "easily" to delay the inevitable rebuild.
Thanks.