Check E4OD fluid level with no dipstick tube?

[toby]

Bought an 89 E-350 van that had been sitting for 5 years. The owner claimed a new transmission was installed at a Ford dealer and parked soon after. He promised to mail the paperwork next week but I'm not holding my breath. Just looking at it, I can tell the trans has definitely been replaced, but for what I paid for the van I frankly don't care when, or by who, because it shifts fine.

Anyways, my problem is that the transmission dipstick tube was broken off and has been replaced by a piece of clear vinyl tubing. The previous owner told me that I'll know the fluid is at the correct level when I can just barely see trans fluid in the tube. Sounds like a BS way to measure fluid to me. I called the parts dept at my local for dealer and they said they can't get the dipstick tube any longer. Checked the junkyard too, and the only diesel E4OD I found was missing the engine and transmission within a day of being in the yard...

So my question has 2 parts:
1-As a temporary solution, is it possible to closely approximate the correct fluid level with my current makeshift clear-vinyl "dipstick tube"? Does anyone know the how high the fluid goes up the dipstick tube relative to, say for example, the seam between the transmission and the pan or some other reference point? Should I even be able to see any fluid in the tubing?

2- Apparently E4ODs with the IDI bell-housing pattern are a hot commodity in my local junkyard, and I don't really have time to spend every day roaming yards looking for a dipstick tube. So can I use the dipstick and tube from anything that had an E4OD or does it need to be a diesel? I don't care if the replacement tube is too short and has to be checked by taking the dog house off or something, I just want to make sure my fluid level is correct and I don't **** up this transmission.

Even better - anyone have a compatible dipstick and tube for sale?

 

[OLDBULL8]

The Vans take the longer dip stick tube and stick.

Does the tranny still have the short tube in it?

If you can't find a tube and stick, I have a new tube for a truck, but no stick for it, but I can measure my stick for length. The tube cost me $45, will sell for that shipped. Like you say, you could measure the fluid by taking the dog house off.

PM me if interested.

 

[trackspeeder]

You can use a 4R100 dipstick and tube.

 

[OLDBULL8]

You can use a 4R100 dipstick and tube.

Forgot about that. Good catch speeder.

 

[riotwarrior]

I will be parting out a van soon. It has an E4OD as such I am in position to sell said tube...PM me for details and your offer...shipped your dime plus 13.25 US border fee I have to pay.

 

[toby]

You can use a 4R100 dipstick and tube.

Just to clarify, does that mean I could use any E4OD/4R100 tube (like from a gas van, which are much more common in the junkyard) as long as I get the tube and dipstick as a pair off the same vehicle so the lengths match? I would assume that other differences aside, all E4OD's would have the same fluid level, just want to be sure! Thanks!

 

[typ4]

Gas will work as long as you can get it in there. Also general rule is when idling in park, oil should be at pan rail, on most any auto trans.

 

[trackspeeder]

Just to clarify, does that mean I could use any E4OD/4R100 tube (like from a gas van, which are much more common in the junkyard) as long as I get the tube and dipstick as a pair off the same vehicle so the lengths match? I would assume that other differences aside, all E4OD's would have the same fluid level, just want to be sure! Thanks!

Yes.