e4od

[onus]

I'm looking to change the fluid on my e4od in my 1990 f250. Behind a 7.3 idi.

Right now it in limp mode due to a torque converter slip code, i can clear the codes and its shifts like butter. I figure it probably needs a new torque converter.

But, i figure I'll dump the pan fluid and send it in for uoa to see if the torque converter is dead. The stock lockup clutch on these is junk from what i hear. Will this show in uoa?

I hear the stock pumps on these don't provide enough fluid pressure to the torque converter lockup clutch. Not sure if modifications were done to fix this.

I also have a bad transmission oil temperature sensor so a new solenoid pack is in the works and to clean the contacts and check the wiring harness.

Transmission has about ~197,000 on it. Jasper rebuild back in 2002. Unknown fluid change history. I have all the maintenance receipts from the po and i don't recall transmission fluid change being one of them. This truck also has some horse trailer towing miles on it.

Any fluid suggestions. I figure it might not be in there long.

 

[KD0AXS]

If it won't be in long, I'd probably just go to Walmart and get some Supertech Dex/Merc.

 

[onus]

I'll give that a shot. Thanks.

 

[javacontour]

I was going to suggest something similar. If you don't expect it in there very long, the least expensive choice that meets the specs required by Ford.

 

[onus]

Okay. Because even if the converter is good i still have to pull the pan to change the solenoid pack.

If it's bad i have to pull the whole trans. Replace the converter and probably pull the pump too to see if the pump mod was done.

 

[qdeezie]

My E4OD shifts like butter on Valvoline Maxlife.

On the other hand, it shifts like a mechanical bull on Supertech D/M.

 

[onus]

I love maxlife. Put it in power steering pump and it quieted right up in a few miles. It had just became noisy so maybe i just caught it early.

I figured i should just replace the solenoid pack and change to fluid and see what happens.

 

[bmwtechguy]

There are a ton of updates on the E4OD that can be done to make them shift right and behave like they should have from the factory. Jasper should have done these when they rebuilt the unit, but who really knows, right? New fluid would be a definite start. If it has DexMerc and lots of miles, then it is probably shot.

 

[onus]

Yeah my guess is they should have done it right.

Too many upgrades on these things. I can confirm they did not do any valve body changes. If i clear the codes i can't even tell it shifts. Smoothest transmission I've ever seen. The early e4od's are known to shift too smooth and it causes them to die quickly.

The early ones also don't set the overdrive light on the diesel's so i had no idea it had codes until i pulled them.

I've been trying to research all the upgrades that can be done to these things. From hard parts, to valve bodies, torque converters, front pump modifications, etc.

Good thing is the fluid is red and not burnt.

Dex / Merc only has like a 30,000 change interval correct?

Torque converter only slips at 35mph on a hill when i lug it at 1100 rpm in overdrive.

 

[bmwtechguy]

One of the upgrades was a new ECM for these that reprogrammed some shifts and pressures IIRC. Used to have problems with going into TC lockup in 2nd gear and then the change into 3rd was overly harsh while locked up. One of many issues I had with my 1990 IDI 7.3 with E4OD. That truck was a gutless wonder without a turbo, but it ran forever while giving poor fuel economy overall.