A4LD Tranny
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 99
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From: Newmwnstown, PA
A4LD Tranny
'94 tranny (4WD) is slow to engage D or R after sitting overnight. When I move the selector to any position first thing in the morning, nothing happens. I can rev the engine a little and that seems to wake the tranny hampster and it slides into gear. Then tranny operation is fine the rest of the day...shifting, sliding into and out of the selected gear. Fluid level is fine, but this tranny is new to me (148K) and hasn't had its first gentle flush yet. It is parked on a slight incline in the driveway if that matters.
Michael
Michael
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
sounds like crud in the valve body or old tired harden worn pump and internal seals
i'd do a filter change and full 11 qt flush first with the cheap stuff Mercon ATF. the 99cent stuff.
run for a couple hundred miles and then do the same with Valvo Maxlife Plus ATF. loaded with seal conditioner and cleaners. top of the line ATF. spendy but good for Ford trannies.
when you pump drain the cheapy stuff hot, measure the flow rate. must be a minimum 1 qt per 20 seconds out the cooler line to meet Ford A4LD tranny specs
i don't use any of the douche in a can tranny products, too caustic and harsh. can soften frictions and damage brass bushings
i'd do a filter change and full 11 qt flush first with the cheap stuff Mercon ATF. the 99cent stuff.
run for a couple hundred miles and then do the same with Valvo Maxlife Plus ATF. loaded with seal conditioner and cleaners. top of the line ATF. spendy but good for Ford trannies.
when you pump drain the cheapy stuff hot, measure the flow rate. must be a minimum 1 qt per 20 seconds out the cooler line to meet Ford A4LD tranny specs
i don't use any of the douche in a can tranny products, too caustic and harsh. can soften frictions and damage brass bushings
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
The flush might help, but at that mileage, the tranny is probably fairly worn. If you have a local tranny shop that does free diagnostics, you can ask them and have them check it out. Hopefully its something simple. Try the new fluid first, that does help a lot.
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
When mine was doing that, what happens is the fluid expands as it heats up. Its viscosity also changes. So in the morning, the fluid might not be pressurizing properly, but once it warms a little it expands and the pressure rises. It is very bad to be revving it up when it doesn' want to engage. The problem does need to be addressed promptly to prevent further damage to the trans internals.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
get most of my motor oil there on closeout.
got closeout CI4 15w40 Chevron Delo400 there for $4 a gallon for my diesel.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,013
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From: SoCal
That reminds me, is oil that makes the claim that it's made for diesel engines much different from regular stuff for gasoline engines? Can I use it in gas engines?
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Joe Kucinski
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Oil that is made for diesel engines often has much higher levels of molybdenum than gas oils do. On diesels it works great, but because the compressions are so much lower on gassers, the moly can clog up stuff and cause problems later on. So no, don't use diesel oil in a gas engine if you have a choice. Also the additives in diesel oil can ruin the fuel management and smog components.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
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From: Washington state
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...oard=22&page=1
many of this forum's contributors work as oil chemists in the engine oil lube manuf. industry, hvy equip design and maintenance, large OTH fleet owners and just plain ordinary oil users driving American iron running on HDEO, aka engine oil cross rated for diesels and gas engines.
dual rated oils?
just look for one of the gas engine ratings on the jug, SM SL SJ and diesel CI CJ
many of this forum's contributors work as oil chemists in the engine oil lube manuf. industry, hvy equip design and maintenance, large OTH fleet owners and just plain ordinary oil users driving American iron running on HDEO, aka engine oil cross rated for diesels and gas engines.
dual rated oils?
just look for one of the gas engine ratings on the jug, SM SL SJ and diesel CI CJ
