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Transmission fluid is 8 years old, should I replace it?

1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis Econolines. E150, E250, E350, E450 and E550

Transmission fluid is 8 years old, should I replace it?

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Old

Jun 22, 2013 | 03:17 PM

#1

THE BLUE HEAP

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Tuned

Joined: Nov 2009

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From: Sherman Oaks California

Transmission fluid is 8 years old, should I replace it?

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This fluid has been used for 15,000 miles driven on the freeway & street.
I think it should change it but thought I would get some of your great opinions, if I do change it I will go with the DEXRON IV
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Old

Jun 22, 2013 | 04:09 PM

#2

tabijan

Cargo Master

Joined: Sep 2012

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From: Eastern TN

What year van? What transmission?

Dexron VI maybe? Where did you see Dexron IV?

Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles

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Old

Jun 22, 2013 | 04:15 PM

#3

THE BLUE HEAP

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Tuned

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From: Sherman Oaks California

It's a 1986 E-150 302 AOD transmission.
DEXTRON II is what it says on the dipstick did some research and DEXTRON IV is the latest compatible fluid that can be used.
Also forgot to mention that when the AOD transmission shifts from 3rd to overdrive it does it with a bang sound.
It used to be a harder bang years ago and is much softer now but its still there so while driving in town I keep it in 3rd gear..
Any ideas why it's doing that? The bands need to be adjusted maybe...
Thanks

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Old

Jun 22, 2013 | 04:40 PM

#4

tabijan

Cargo Master

Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 2,112

Likes: 286

From: Eastern TN

I'm stuck on what Dexron IV is. AFAIK the GM spec went from Dexron III to Dexron VI. GM pulled the license on Dexron III so no one labels ATF as Dexron III anymore though the most common ATFs claim Dexron III compatibility. The only formulation I've seen that still claims Dexron II compatibility is Redline D4 ATF. You aren't by chance thinking of the Chrysler spec ATF+4, are you?

Mark Kovalsky is the tranny expert so check with him.

Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles

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Old

Jun 22, 2013 | 07:04 PM

#5

THE BLUE HEAP

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Tuned

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From: Sherman Oaks California

No it's not ATF+4 DEXRON IV is this,
The fluid specification for Dexron-VI was introduced in 2005,and was first used as the GM factory-fill automatic transmission fluid for model year 2006. All Dexron-III licenses expired permanently at the end of 2006, and GM now supports only Dexron-VI fluids for use in their automatic transmissions.<sup id="cite_ref-gmsite_3-0" class="reference">[3]</sup> Fluids asserted by their manufacturers to meet Dexron-III standards continue to be sold under abbreviated names such as Dex/Merc, but the licensing system no longer exists. These fluids are not regulated by GM.<sup id="cite_ref-lubereport_4-0" class="reference">[4]</sup> Dexron VI is of a slightly lower viscosity when new compared to the prior Dexron fluids (a maximum of 6.4 cSt at 100°C for Dexron VI and 7.5 cSt for Dexron III), but the allowed viscosity loss during use (from shearing of the ATF) is lower for Dexron VI, resulting in the same lowest allowed final viscosity for both Dexron III and VI (5.5 cSt).<sup id="cite_ref-RedlineOil_5-0" class="reference">[5]</sup> The intent of the lighter viscosity is to gain an incremental improvement in fuel economy by lessening parasitic drag in the transmission. Since Dexron VI is not allowed to thin out (lower its viscosity) as much as Dexron III during use, it requires the use of higher-quality, more shear-stable (thins less in use) base stocks (the base oils, to which additives are added to make ATF).

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Old

Jun 23, 2013 | 10:45 AM

#6

blageurt

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 1,414

Likes: 10

From: Thornhill , Ontario

It seems like you already know the answer to your question...BUT if it was my transmission I would use synthetic Amsoil or Mercon V or Mobil semi-synthetic....

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Old

Jun 23, 2013 | 11:53 AM

#7

THE BLUE HEAP

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Tuned

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From: Sherman Oaks California

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabijan

I'm stuck on what Dexron IV is. AFAIK the GM spec went from Dexron III to Dexron VI. GM pulled the license on Dexron III so no one labels ATF as Dexron III anymore though the most common ATFs claim Dexron III compatibility. The only formulation I've seen that still claims Dexron II compatibility is Redline D4 ATF. You aren't by chance thinking of the Chrysler spec ATF+4, are you?

Mark Kovalsky is the tranny expert so check with him.

Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles

Do you happen to know whats Mark Kovalsky user name is so that I can ask him?

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Old

Jun 23, 2013 | 01:44 PM

#8

tabijan

Cargo Master

Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 2,112

Likes: 286

From: Eastern TN

I don't mean to nit pick if this is a typo but the article you cite describes Dex VI (6), not the Dex IV (4) mentioned in posts 1 and 3.

Mark Kovalsky is his handle. He continues to school me on everything I thought I knew about transmissions

Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles

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Old

Jun 23, 2013 | 01:44 PM

#9

Mark Kovalsky

Frmr Ford Trans Engr

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 24,725

Likes: 2,651

From: SE Florida

My user name is Mark Kovalsky.

The AOD was before my time. I suspect it would use MERCON V fluid, but that transmission isn't my area of expertise.

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Old

Jun 23, 2013 | 02:12 PM

#10

THE BLUE HEAP

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Tuned

Joined: Nov 2009

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From: Sherman Oaks California

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky

My user name is Mark Kovalsky.

The AOD was before my time. I suspect it would use MERCON V fluid, but that transmission isn't my area of expertise.

Hi Mark Kovalsky thanks for your quick reply!
I do know which fluid to use, it's the DEXRON II or the newer DEXRON IV.

I understand that the AOD transmission is not your area of expertise but this could be a common transmission issue...
I was wondering if you or anyone else would know why when the AOD transmission shifts from 3rd to overdrive it does it with a bang sound.
It used to be a harder bang years ago and is much softer now but its still there so while driving in town I keep it in 3rd gear..
Any ideas why it's doing that? The bands need to be adjusted maybe...

Thanks again for all your great advice guys

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Old

Jun 23, 2013 | 03:48 PM

#11

Mark Kovalsky

Frmr Ford Trans Engr

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 24,725

Likes: 2,651

From: SE Florida

No, I don't know. The AOD is not my area of expertise. I could make something up, but I don't know enough about the AOD to be able to tell you anything useful.
Can you adjust the bands on an AOD? I don't think so.

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Old

Jun 23, 2013 | 06:13 PM

#12

blageurt

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 1,414

Likes: 10

From: Thornhill , Ontario

Come on Man....make something up.....I'm down......

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Old

Jun 23, 2013 | 06:27 PM

#13

THE BLUE HEAP

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Tuned

Joined: Nov 2009

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From: Sherman Oaks California

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky

No, I don't know. The AOD is not my area of expertise. I could make something up, but I don't know enough about the AOD to be able to tell you anything useful.
Can you adjust the bands on an AOD? I don't think so.

yes the bands can be adjusted on an AOD but I don't want to touch it without some more info on why I get that banging sound between 3rd gear and overdrive...
Thanks for your reply

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