E4OD - what to look for?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
E4OD - what to look for?
Tomorrow evening I will be looking at a 1996 F250 (2wd) with a 351 mated to a E4OD. I spoke to the owner on the phone and he stated the tranny shifts absolutely fine. This truck has 180,000 miles on it.... I know it might be on borrowed time, but what should I look for as signs that a rebuild will be right around the corner.
The main purpose of this truck will be hauling firewood in the spring and fall - I'd be lucky to put 2,000 - 3,000 miles on it a year. If it is in decent shape, what can I do to prolong the life of the transmission (outside of a fluid change)? Would a shift kit this late in its life help extend it?
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
The main purpose of this truck will be hauling firewood in the spring and fall - I'd be lucky to put 2,000 - 3,000 miles on it a year. If it is in decent shape, what can I do to prolong the life of the transmission (outside of a fluid change)? Would a shift kit this late in its life help extend it?
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
With that many miles, unless it was rebuilt recently, you probably are on borrowed time, could be a few years tho.
Things to look for...
1) Check the color and smell of the tranny fluid. It should be red and smell nice and chemically. It should not be pink, MUST not be brown or black. Should not smell burnt. if the fluid is bad, don't touch this truck, unless you get a rebuild allowance, probably $2K or more. Also check the fluid level and be sure to check if there are a lot of bubbles on the dip stick. Too many bubbles may mean a pump issue or too little or even too much fluid. You want just right. Look for fluid leaks. If the underside of the tranny is crusty with black grease, not a good sign. Also check hose connections at the tranny cooler and the tranny.
Of course the fluid may have been changed so the color and smell are not sure things.
2) Check for torque shudder, a common problem with E4OD, especially the converter clutch. Drive it down a nice even highway in OD or 4th. Give it light acceleration from about 40/45mph, and feel for shuddering or shaking. If the converter clutch is slipping it will feel a little like you are driving on those rumble strips/Bots Dots.
3) If the tranny shifts really hard between gears, that may be a bad sign, unless you are sure there is a shift kit, and even then it shouldn't be really harsh. If it "Bang Shifts" that may be a sign the pump is boosting pressure to keep the clutches from slipping.
4) Listen for metal grinding sounds from the tranny under light acceleration. Many trannies with gear issues will make a metallic grind when things are going south but before complete failure. Sounds a bit like grinding brake drums.
5) If you can drop the pan, look for metal flakes or fuzz, especially if there is a magnet in the pan. Also look to see if there are lots of "Pepper" flakes in the bottom of the pan, that is usually clutch material. No more than a small teaspoon of either kinds. If you see more than a couple rice size metal chunks, be suspect.
In any case, this tranny is probably going to be tired unless rebuilt. So keep the fluid changed, maybe put on a cooler if there isn't one, and don't let it struggle in gear, ie no high revs but the truck is not accelerating much. This means no snow ploughing.
Service records can help but even perfect maintenance doesn't stop old age wear and tear.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Hmmm just noticed, This reply is probably a day or two too late.
Things to look for...
1) Check the color and smell of the tranny fluid. It should be red and smell nice and chemically. It should not be pink, MUST not be brown or black. Should not smell burnt. if the fluid is bad, don't touch this truck, unless you get a rebuild allowance, probably $2K or more. Also check the fluid level and be sure to check if there are a lot of bubbles on the dip stick. Too many bubbles may mean a pump issue or too little or even too much fluid. You want just right. Look for fluid leaks. If the underside of the tranny is crusty with black grease, not a good sign. Also check hose connections at the tranny cooler and the tranny.
Of course the fluid may have been changed so the color and smell are not sure things.
2) Check for torque shudder, a common problem with E4OD, especially the converter clutch. Drive it down a nice even highway in OD or 4th. Give it light acceleration from about 40/45mph, and feel for shuddering or shaking. If the converter clutch is slipping it will feel a little like you are driving on those rumble strips/Bots Dots.
3) If the tranny shifts really hard between gears, that may be a bad sign, unless you are sure there is a shift kit, and even then it shouldn't be really harsh. If it "Bang Shifts" that may be a sign the pump is boosting pressure to keep the clutches from slipping.
4) Listen for metal grinding sounds from the tranny under light acceleration. Many trannies with gear issues will make a metallic grind when things are going south but before complete failure. Sounds a bit like grinding brake drums.
5) If you can drop the pan, look for metal flakes or fuzz, especially if there is a magnet in the pan. Also look to see if there are lots of "Pepper" flakes in the bottom of the pan, that is usually clutch material. No more than a small teaspoon of either kinds. If you see more than a couple rice size metal chunks, be suspect.
In any case, this tranny is probably going to be tired unless rebuilt. So keep the fluid changed, maybe put on a cooler if there isn't one, and don't let it struggle in gear, ie no high revs but the truck is not accelerating much. This means no snow ploughing.
Service records can help but even perfect maintenance doesn't stop old age wear and tear.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Hmmm just noticed, This reply is probably a day or two too late.
