Transmission mystery

[heymccall]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

Do you mean its plugged like it needs to be changed out, or plugged meaning its bypassed..sorry confused.

If there is an inline filter (only on warranty or problem units), it will be clogged. It is a black filter (looks like a cheap gas filter) with hose clamps to rubber hose. Undo the hose clamps, take filter out of the line, unscrew the housing (like opening a jar) and stare in amazement at the debris in the element and the metal on the magnet .

BTW, this is not factory installed, rather it is for warranty coverage on replacement ford trannys and also recommended by most dealers during tranny service. If you don't have it, your truck wasn't FORD serviced for the transmission.

Also, the air to oil cooler is an easily clogged, unflushable POS. I highly recommend that you change it over to a round tube aftermarket even if you don't put the updated radiator in.

[Jon]

9 out of 10 techs don't put that piece of crap filter in!

[heymccall]

Also, I didn't see anyone reference the POS plastic dipstick. When checking the tranny oil level, the oil, when correct, will puddle in the little hexagons. If it is an even film, then it is simply the oil trapped on the walls of the tube. It is definitely difficult to get the proper read after pouring oil down the tube.

[Jon]

I agree, but when you have a hard time reading the stick it is cuz its low. Get it to the proper leval and they are easy as cake to read.

[ALANSD]

The stick is tough to read. I make sure the truck is level too or I get readings that are off.
If the trans fluid is not smelling burnt and is not leaking since last weeks mess, where would it go if the level is down, I mean why would it go down? In normal non towing use the thing doesn't seem to run too hot.Thanks for all the help here.

[heymccall]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

The stick is tough to read. I make sure the truck is level too or I get readings that are off.
If the trans fluid is not smelling burnt and is not leaking since last weeks mess, where would it go if the level is down, I mean why would it go down? In normal non towing use the thing doesn't seem to run too hot.Thanks for all the help here.

The only things that come to mind are A) it wasn't fully circulated at refill, or B) its dripping out the vent (I believe it is above the main pump in the bell housing (running out the inspection plate when running down the highway).

Or, will it push into the transfer case like my GM's????

[ALANSD]

Even thought it is not burnt, I guess a trans fluid change and new filter would be the next thing I will do.

[ipz2222]

firefighter, I didn't see what year your truck was. The leaking from the front seal when hot is a common problem with 89 thru 95 e4od's . The seal is of inferior quality.. Here is the correct professional fix.
Look in the yellow pages for a trans shop that has this logo, ATRA or, ATSG, in their ad. Request a reseal job with the installation af a Transgo shift kit. Transgo has 4 different kits. The basic kit is good for most applications, the Tugger kit if you tow over 10,000 lbs, (Tugger costs 3 times as much). There are 3 different converter seals. DO NOT install the grey seal.. The pump will have to be removed for both kits. The trans shop can look at the front of the converter and see if you have any burn marks from the converter slipping. If you have over 100,000 th miles, I'd replace the converter anyway.
Expect to pay $400 to $800 depending on if replaceing the converter and possibly upgrading the converter to heavy duty.
ps, downshifting by canceling the od button does not create internal pressure.
Towing with od on or off DOES NOT damage the trans on the super duty. It effects fuel mileage and eng load. Different story for the f150 and chevy
1500. It will burn those trans up. Preston/My blood is trans fluid.

[firefighterbri]

JPZ, My truck is a 2003, I've put 10,000 miles on since I had the problem with no so much as a drip since. I am planning on a rebuild sometime in the future when funds become available and will be replacing the torque converter at that time as well. Thanks for the info

Brian

[ipz2222]

firefighter, I didn't see what year your truck was. The leaking from the front seal when hot is a common problem with 89 thru 95 e4od's . The seal is of inferior quality.. Here is the correct professional fix.
Look in the yellow pages for a trans shop that has this logo, ATRA or, ATSG, in their ad. Request a reseal job with the installation af a Transgo shift kit. Transgo has 4 different kits. The basic kit is good for most applications, the Tugger kit if you tow over 10,000 lbs, (Tugger costs 3 times as much). There are 3 different converter seals. DO NOT install the grey seal.. The pump will have to be removed for both kits. The trans shop can look at the front of the converter and see if you have any burn marks from the converter slipping. If you have over 100,000 th miles, I'd replace the converter anyway.
Expect to pay $400 to $800 depending on if replaceing the converter and possibly upgrading the converter to heavy duty.
ps, downshifting by canceling the od button does not create internal pressure.
Towing with od on or off DOES NOT damage the trans on the super duty. It effects fuel mileage and eng load. Different story for the f150 and chevy
1500. It will burn those trans up. Preston/My blood is trans fluid.