Hello all,

Im new to here, and new to PSD's. I just bought a 95 about 4 months ago. It came with 365k km's on it, but the tranny was replaced one year ago. So maybe 30k on it.

According to some of the locals, the trannsmission shop in question is not to reputable, so I may have a poorly rebuilt tranny in there.

When I got the truck it had been moderately maintained. It had some groaning and grinding issues up front, and more so in 4wd.

I replaced all the wheel bearings and one spindle that was scarred all to heck. That took care of the constant grind.

Last week I replaced the TC with a rebuilt and that cured the grind/moaning in 4wd.

Getting prepared for a trip this weekend I changed the oil, filter and decided I'd drop the tranny fluid and replace it with mobil 1 synthetic.

Draining into a large drain pain I overestimated how much dropped, but it looked ok on the stick when it was cold.

We went to leave for camping the next day, made 5 miles from home and she started to slip. Came to a stop and it wouldnt engage at all. Waited a minute, restarted and made it into a gas station parking lot.

Checked fluid and after heating up it was overfull. Dropped a litre and I was good to go.

Made it 20 minutes, same problem, dropped another litre, good to go again.

20 more minutes, same problem, fluid level was ok.

Called dad (20 year Mechanic). He said maybe that tranny doesnt like the syntetic, since it was the last thing I did, so try diluting it out.

Made it back into town. Dropped the fluid 3 litres at a time 3 times. Made it 25 minutes and it did it again.

Dropped it twice more, with another 6 litres and made it 3 hours. Almost to our campsite. Did it one more time and made it.

Diluted it twice more while camping and had to drop it again once more to make the 4 hour drive home.

Several times I had a code pop and the overdrive light would start to flash after it would really rev when slipping.

I pulled the bat grounds and reset it when doing fluid drops.

I dont have a reader but I'll get one as soon as I can.

I've diluted a total of about 20 litres, so there really shouldnt be much of that synthetic left.

It works "ok" when its cold, and doesnt really started acting up until its good and hot.

Is this a result of the fluid, or a coincidental component failure? Thats the question Im facing right now.

So, I thought I would sign up here and ask the pro's. Anyone have similar a experience and think they can shed some light on this one for me?

This is to be our long distance travelling truck, so if I find the tranny is gone, I'll probably go new from Ford to save the hassle and get a better garruntee with it.

Thanks in advance, sorry for the long winded post.

Nine

 

Where do I start? You have come to right place for info.

You may have done permanent damage to the tranny by overfilling it, especially for so long. This allows the fluid to become airated (sp) and cavitates the pump and everything else important (expensive).

Synthetic oil is a good thing for these trannys, it tolerates the heat a little better. So all of your effort draining it, may have been for nothing.

You can have the codes read at a local tranny shop, they will usually do it for free (looking for your biz).

The OD flashing lite may be a separate issue. Could be simple like the VSS, sensor on top the rear differential. Pull it out and clean the shavings off of it, or just replace it if it looks original. Some else will pop in here for the proper diagnostics of the VSS.

My tranny also worked ok when cold then began to shift hard ect ect when hot. $2200 later the problem gone. Check this site for BTS or tranny up grades. If you're going to do any pulling or mods (more HP) you will need better trans.

DO NOT GET A TRANS FROM THE DEALER!!

 

i would drop the pan and look for parts and pieces. if you don't find any drain the torque converter refill with chrysler atf+3. i know is sounds crazy but trust i am mechanic and work on alot of old fords that start to have a slip in the trans or a shutter in the torque converter (including my PSD) and the fiction modifier in the chysler fluid have helped and none have needed the trannies replaced. but i will say that yours as many times as its been hot and slipping that much you may be looking for a new trans. so any way refill with the chrysler fluid and give it a go. if it works you have bought yourself some time if not you need a new trans.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I doubt I will try the time buying method. Living up north here, and using this as the family hauler, I really want to shoot for long term reliability.

I have to ask Jim, why not from the dealer? And if not, then where should I get one from? I already have one in there that didnt make it 14 months from a local rebuidler. So that has me pretty leary of local rebuild shops.

 

The general consensus here is that Brian's Truck Shop builds the best tranny EO4D.

Sun Coast is also well regarded.

Cut and paste the following, +BTS +transmission ,and you will get a lot of reading material.

BTS (Brian's Truck Shop) ships. There are a lot of weak spots in the EO4D and a Ford reman probably won't address those weaknesses.

 

The dealer will not give you the tranny that you need, just updated. And the cost will be big$$$. Do what sundy58 said. BTS will set you back $5000 +. Unsure about Suncoast. Maybe you can check around for a local rebuilder that specializes in e4od rebuilds. That's what I did. Did my homework on the parts to go into it too. All high performance stuff. The Torque converter deserves just as much attention as the tranny. Don't go cheap, it will cost you in the long run.

 

Lord liftin thats a lot of money. Does that 5k include the TC?

What parts are involed in one of these E40's? Is there more then a good TC and upgraded valve body?

Are the pump, clutch pack, solenoids, and gears all upgraded as well?

Sorry to ask so many questions, but I need to do a lot of homework before spending 7500$ on a tranny. Thats what it turns into by the time I get it into Canada.

Brand new from the dealer is 3000. Torgue converter, 900. Valve body 700.

Unless there's a lot more involved in the BTS tranny, I'd probably have to do the one above.

For what its worth, I just want strong and reliable on close to stock hp here. Im not suping her all up. She's my tow rig. Im not sure if a 7500$ tranny wouldnt be a bit of overkill for my application.

 

http://www.brianstruckshop.com/

Check out BTS website, that's better than me trying to list it all.

I'm getting one as soon as I sell a child or wife or something!

 

i dont think they are 5 grand. i think more like 3-3500. not sure if that includes a tq converter or not. but at least you know you will not be stranded after he fixes it.

my .02

 

Last quote I got was 3900 for rebuild 1000 for TC and 700 S&H both ways.

Lets see, goesinta, carry the 1, times .06 = yep, 5600 Total

But if ya drive down there is no charge for installation or S&H.

 

If you are going the route of buying a new trans try calling Troyan Performance Specialties (604) 702-1050. They are just outside Vancouver in Chilliwack, read some good stuff about their builds, most likely be the ones to build up my trans when it craps out. About the same price as the BTS, but you won't get bent over on the duty,taxes and shipping.

 

i think there is a few vendors that sell em here in washington. your $ do whats best for you.

 

I've had a Tow Matrix E4OD in my OBS for 175,000mi. Rebuilder is Transmission Exchange in Portland OR. Website is www.txchange.com. My trans cost us$2880, including billet converter, in 10/2005. Tow Matrix is their hopped up E4OD with billet TC, steel planetaries, TransGo kit. HP clutch paks, etc.

 

wow man is that 175k in one year or am i reading that wrong? thats a whole lot of driving.

 

Used to transport RV's around the country. It was 1yr 4mo for the 175k