Opinions wanted
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Maine
Opinions wanted
I am due for a transmission filter change and fluid replacement. I was debating whether I should just change it and put a new filter etc on. Or if I should have it flushed. I've read posts both for and against flushing the transmission. My transmission is about 3 years old and has about 25k miles on it. I think the posts I've read against the flush was for transmissions over like 80k miles or somewhere in there. Any advise or opinions would be greatly appreciated. I also think my oil cooler lines are leaking a bit. I am thinking of replacing the whole cooler perhaps with a bigger one. Any suggestions on what size, brand, etc to use. I don't do a lot of towing. Occasionally haul my equipment trailer with my compact tractor on it. I am guessing the trailer and tractor weight about 9,000lbs. I'm not 100% sure how much my truck weights. Anyone know its in my profile. I'm guessing between 6 & 7k lbs.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 121
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From: Black Hills SD.
Use the largest trans cooler you can possibly fit on the front of the truck. Since you tow and Im guessing you have an auto overdrive. I HIGHLY reccoment getting a trans temp guage.
What year/trans do you have?
I used Amsoil universal trans fluid in my last AOD after overhauling it and modifying it against the normal weak links. The AODE is another love it/hate it trans depending on who you speak to. The E4OD is said to be more durable but I question how much more durable after reviewing fleet maint records.
In any event if you punish it you must keep it as cool as possible, the biggest most efficient trans cooler and a temp gauge. I cant emphasize this enough.
Good luck
Tony
What year/trans do you have?
I used Amsoil universal trans fluid in my last AOD after overhauling it and modifying it against the normal weak links. The AODE is another love it/hate it trans depending on who you speak to. The E4OD is said to be more durable but I question how much more durable after reviewing fleet maint records.
In any event if you punish it you must keep it as cool as possible, the biggest most efficient trans cooler and a temp gauge. I cant emphasize this enough.
Good luck
Tony
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Ladner, British Columbia
Make sure you drain the Torque converter when you change the tranny oil. It contains several liters of oil which will not drain out by only removing the pan.
To drain the oil cooler I would disconnect the cooling lines on the side of the tranny and blow them out with some compressed air.
Given your low milage I don't see the need for a fancy flush, changing the oil however is a good ideas seeing that you are towing.
To drain the oil cooler I would disconnect the cooling lines on the side of the tranny and blow them out with some compressed air.
Given your low milage I don't see the need for a fancy flush, changing the oil however is a good ideas seeing that you are towing.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Maine
Got one more question relating to my transmission.
I've noticed occasionally lately when I put the truck into reverse it seems to pause quite a while and then when it does shift it sometimes will stall the engine basically when it does shift into reverse which usually takes a couple seconds. it strains the engine enough to stall it. I'm hoping that changing the transmission oil or filter might help some of this. I have a code reader and couldn't get any fault codes out of it. Just the codes saying system ok. Do you think changing the oil will cure this or is this problem something more serious? I'm thinking possibly torque converter?? I'm not a transmission mechanic so I'm only guessing.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Ladner, British Columbia
Have you made sure your oil level is right?
Is the oil on the dipstick nice and red like new oil or is it brown and has a burnt smell to it?
It probably is time to pull the tranny oil pan which might tell you a whole lot.
If the oil level is ok then it could be partially plugged filter which starves the oil pump and delays shifting.
I would do the oil and filter change first before going after the Torque Converter. Any metal on the magnet in the oil pan will pretty quickly tell you if you have a more serious tranny problem.
A Torque Converter change-out could run you in the neighbourhood of $700 to $900. A E4OD tranny rebuilt could easily go to $3,000 depending on the extend of the damage.
Don't forget to remove the old tranny filter gasket which usually stays behind in the tranny housing before installing the new tranny filter.
Is the oil on the dipstick nice and red like new oil or is it brown and has a burnt smell to it?
It probably is time to pull the tranny oil pan which might tell you a whole lot.
If the oil level is ok then it could be partially plugged filter which starves the oil pump and delays shifting.
I would do the oil and filter change first before going after the Torque Converter. Any metal on the magnet in the oil pan will pretty quickly tell you if you have a more serious tranny problem.
A Torque Converter change-out could run you in the neighbourhood of $700 to $900. A E4OD tranny rebuilt could easily go to $3,000 depending on the extend of the damage.
Don't forget to remove the old tranny filter gasket which usually stays behind in the tranny housing before installing the new tranny filter.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 121
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From: Black Hills SD.
I have to second what Hamberger stated, the fluid will tell a story about the condition of the trans. I might add that if the filter is plugged up with anything than there is a problem.
My understanding of the E40D is that its controlled soley by the computer and shifted via elec solenoids rather than the TV cable of earlier auto overdrives.
I dont know how common it is on the E40D but I have heard of shifting problems being faulty solenoid/s in some cases.
Does it slip under load in any gears?
Have you reprogrammed the computer or added any performance chips ever or is it still using bone stock mapping?
BIG COOLER TEMP GAUGE BIG COOLER TEMP GAUGE BIG COOLER TEMP GUAGE, it might not help you now but if you are facing replacement I gaurantee it will help your next one.
My understanding of the E40D is that its controlled soley by the computer and shifted via elec solenoids rather than the TV cable of earlier auto overdrives.
I dont know how common it is on the E40D but I have heard of shifting problems being faulty solenoid/s in some cases.
Does it slip under load in any gears?
Have you reprogrammed the computer or added any performance chips ever or is it still using bone stock mapping?
BIG COOLER TEMP GAUGE BIG COOLER TEMP GAUGE BIG COOLER TEMP GUAGE, it might not help you now but if you are facing replacement I gaurantee it will help your next one.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Ladner, British Columbia
Paid $500 for a new solenoid pack last November. The change-out is pretty straight forward once the oil pan and filter are off assuming your electrical wiring connector has not been melted because someone has removed the heatshield that protects it from the heat of the exhaust pipe.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Maine
Seems to shift fine up through the gears. The only time I've noticed anything was when shifting into reverse from drive. Of course this is done from a complete stop. Actually I'm very cautious to make sure the truck is not still moving forward when I put it in reverse. I have heard a lot of plow guys having transmission troubles and thats usually the cause. As far as I know the computer is stock. When the last transmission was installed I didn't own the vehicle. But I do know it was replaced with a ford rebuild. I verified that with the dealer that put it in before I bought the truck.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 76
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From: Maine
Hmm....just had a thought wonder if the installing dealer would warantee the transmission if I take to them with the problem. I know its under the mileage but I'm not sure about the time. Is probably close. Perhaps thats my best route to take.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 121
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From: Black Hills SD.
If its under warranty that would be awesome, I hope this is the case.
Shifting from one direction to the other while vehicle still in motion sends a significant shock wave through the trans. A normal practice of this tends to tear things up. It falls under the "needless beating of the equipment" catagory.
I honestly believe most folks have no clue about this. I will be interested to know what the trans fluid is like and what the issue turns out to be.
Tony
Shifting from one direction to the other while vehicle still in motion sends a significant shock wave through the trans. A normal practice of this tends to tear things up. It falls under the "needless beating of the equipment" catagory.
I honestly believe most folks have no clue about this. I will be interested to know what the trans fluid is like and what the issue turns out to be.
Tony
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 76
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From: Maine
Well I visited my local transmission shop the other day. I've actually known the guy for 10 years or more. I was also a bit embarrassed cause we checked the fluid and it was 3 quarts low. Added 3 quarts of fluid and it seems to run fine. But I did make an appointment with him to get my truck in next week and change filters, flush transmission cooler and do a full service. I'll let yea know after I get it done if there were was anything else. Crossing fingers hoping no metal, plastic or other debris in oil pan when its pulled....