My E4OD overheats in stop & go traffic. I have a monster cooling system and a extra trans cooler. I see that most trans rebuilders ads say inproved cooler flow and line preasure, is this something I can fix with a shift kit. My trans is a Ford reman with less than 10,000 miles. I run a carb 460 thats warmed over and a Branerman ? control, to run the trans shifts. When it overheats it throws fluid out the vent. Fluid flow at the cooler is very light and I can stop it with my thumb.
Van

 

Do You have any documentation for the controler? Bauman perhaps? Would not add any more mods to it till I could trouble shoot what could be a setting (programing) issue. I don't think you should be able to stop the flow to the cooler @ idle with a finger. Might want to ask in tranny forum if no luck here.

 

Thats a big no-no. There's no reason the E4OD should be overheating with the external cooler you added. The fact you can stop the flow with your finger would lead me to believe you have a plug in your line system and/or your pump is not working up to potential.

 

If every rebuilder of E4OD's all seem to agree that the trans has a overheating issue who am I to argue with them ? Mine only overheats at idle in bumper to bumper traffic on very hot days, this is before my Baumann controler does anything. Call any trans shop that build these units and they all want to keep the upgrades a secret, well TCI calls there's a $2,800 secret. If I had a Chevy any upgrade to say a 700R4 would be instant info for all to see and available in a kit with instructions. I can't find any shift kit to up my cooler flow & line pressure which everyone fixes when building these units. Nothing is pluged or wrong outside the trans. This trans drives and shifts great but if I pull it out and the info to upgrade it is not available it will be Adapter and Chevy trans time or ZF
Van

 

The E4OD definitely has temperature issues. The issue is keeping it at the correct temperature. I have an OEM E4OD with 140,000 miles and one little external cooler and an aftermarket pan (+3 quarts fluid). However, I have a transmission temperature guage, and I'd highly recommend one. Never let your transmission get to 200*.

Once you get up past 220* your fluid breaks down irrevocably. Then your E4OD will puke. I work and drive mostly in the desert. The ambient temperature has a marginal effect on the transmission fluid temperature. In the freezing winter the transmission runs at 160-170*, and in the 100+ degree summers the fluid temps hover around 180*.

Even beating around in 4lo in the sand dunes, manual shifting between 1 and 2, my transmission doesn't even hit 190*.

Get the E4OD at the right temperature before you belittle it. I'd wonder what cheap POS TC your rebuilder threw in with your transmission as well... much of your heat is developed there.

Get a temperature guage on there so you know where your at. Post your actual temperatures. Consider an aftermarket pan that holds a considerable amount of fluid and get the specs. on the TC that was put in to mate with your transmission.

 

Thanks for your reply. Yes I too can drive in the desert all day and not overheat. Only in the great L.A. parking lot stoped and creaping along at or near idle. The trans is a Ford reman so is the converter could they have gave me a cheep POS ? I do not belittle this trans, I just want the secret info thats needed to fix it. Temp gauge not is not going to cool my trans or increase cooler flow. Yes I will install a gauge so I will know when to put it on the shoulder and park it although the fluid driping on the header pipe and smoking does a good job for now. I will install the bigger aftermarket pan but I have been told by everyone that will only help lower the temp at speed
Van

 

If you have 3 extra quarts of fluid over your stock capacity (~18qts). You will increase the capacity of the fluid 17%. It will take a tremendous more amount of heat energy to achieve the same temperature, regardless of speed.

Make sure your pan is not only finned aluminum, but also the maximum capacity. I run the Derale aftermarket pan. Cost my $110 shipped and worth every penny. Also, this pan has a magnetic drain plug and makes fluid swaps/tranny pan drops painless.

If you have the stock valve body... look into a Factory Tech Valve body upgrade. This will decrease your temperatures as well. The install is quite easy.

Good Luck,
Mike

 

I think what you ment to say is that adding 3 Quarts will take a longer time to overheat. The aluminum pan will add a little dissipation also.Adding capacity without heat dissipation just buys time. Does this "Factory Tec" valve body increase cooler flow and where can I find one. With your gauges what is your cooler flow preasure? what is stock ? what is best ? how do I change it ?
Van

 

In a static fluid system yes. But even with your poor flow at idle, this is not the case. The extra fluid will drop your maximum temperature, even at idle.

Yes. And google "factory tech valve body". The product is made by Gregg Evans....an E4OD/4r100 guru.


My gauge monitors fluid return temperature.