'89 F350 diesel/auto trans shifting issue

[yellaheep]

Forgive me for my newbie-ness and general Ford ignorance. I'm a GM/Dodge guy usually, but just acquired an old U-Haul box van and need some help.

It's an '89 F350 with the 7.3 IDI (177K miles) and an auto - but I don't know what trans specifically it is.

Here's the symptoms:

Previous owner showed me that it leaks bad from a crack in the trans cooler rubber hose right at the inlet fitting. Because of that, he regularly added fluid, but it developed some shifting issues - he says.

I check the dipstick and it's just touching the tip of the stick. It's bright red, doesn't smell burned, just low. I try to drive it as it was because he said it'd be fine..... It needed high RPM's to get the converter to build enough pressure to engage the clutches, then it'd move...... until the converter ran out and it would slip and rev RPM's.

I added about 2 quarts. This helped, but the 4' long dipstick and tube were impossible to read since the tube was coated from adding fluid. It engaged and moved better, but wouldn't shift into Drive, just 1st and 2nd. And even then, it would surge as the converter seemed to pump dry. When it would engage, it would grab solid - even chirped the tires on the street so I don't think the clutches have been destroyed.

I'll be checking the fluid level in the morning, but if for some odd reason it shows full and still drives like this, what else should I look for or do?

What transmission do I have here?

Thanks in advance! You guys were a HUGE help with my '93 IDI fuel delivery issues so I look forward to your posts!

 

[Agnem]

You've got a E4OD. Granted, you posted in the right forum, but those in the know would have went right to the IDI forum for help, so I'll move your topic there for best response.

 

[f-two-fiddy]

If the transmission shift indicator, on the instrument cluster, has a (D) with a O around it, you have the E$OD.

If it reads P N D 2 1, you have a C6.

I'd think that if you added 2 quarts, your waaay over full.

Most trannies suggest adding one PINT when the fluid is below the add area.

I wonder why the guy didn't just go buy a foot of tranny rated rubber hose and replace the leaking ones?????
If you have'nt done it yet, I'd strongly suggest that you do.

 

[tonkadoctor]

Welcome, You would only be ignorant if you didn't ask for advice and acted like a know it all so there's nothing to forgive there.

 

[MUDKICKR]

the c6 doesnt have reverse? i thought they did?
P N D 2 1 ? I thought it was P R N D 2 1, id say it would be pretty rough having a trk without reverse, sorry just had to have some fun

 

[yellaheep]

Definitely not an OD transmission - the gear selector only shows P R D 2 1.

So, I guess it's a C-6. Interesting, I didn't know they put those behind the IDI Diesels.

About the fluid added: I bought 5 quarts of Dex/Merc..... I've never heard of adding fluid to transmissions in pints much less being able to buy it that way.......? Anyway, after adding all those quarts, the level is on the dipstick in the operating range and it now moves like it should. I haven't taken it on the highway, but around the block, it appears to be fine.

I gotta tell ya - the previous owner has no business owning anything mechanical. All the trans needed to be fixed was to cut the cracked end of the trans cooler rubber hose at the cooler and re-clamp it. Instead, he drove it around for weeks, dumping ATF into it regularly - it's a red, soppy mess all over the steering/suspension. Then I notice that the two belts to the alternator are loose enough that I could probably remove them with my fingers...... the alternator barely spins, and only when the belts grab it sporadically. New alternator and batteries..... forgot to tighten the belts? Sheesh.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[Agnem]

Yup. The C6 is behind a lot more motors than you might think. A very tough trans, especially in the diesel version. Ah yes.... ATF in pints. Takes me back to my days as a gas pump jockey in the 70's. Yup, we sold it that way. It had the pull top lid too. The kind that were on soda cans that you pulled it off and threw it away. The same era that oil cans were cardboard with metal ends and you needed a special spout that took skill to install without crushing the can.

 

[trackspeeder]

Definitely not an OD transmission - the gear selector only shows P R D 2 1.

So, I guess it's a C-6. Interesting, I didn't know they put those behind the IDI Diesels.

About the fluid added: I bought 5 quarts of Dex/Merc..... I've never heard of adding fluid to transmissions in pints much less being able to buy it that way.......? Anyway, after adding all those quarts, the level is on the dipstick in the operating range and it now moves like it should. I haven't taken it on the highway, but around the block, it appears to be fine.

I gotta tell ya - the previous owner has no business owning anything mechanical. All the trans needed to be fixed was to cut the cracked end of the trans cooler rubber hose at the cooler and re-clamp it. Instead, he drove it around for weeks, dumping ATF into it regularly - it's a red, soppy mess all over the steering/suspension. Then I notice that the two belts to the alternator are loose enough that I could probably remove them with my fingers...... the alternator barely spins, and only when the belts grab it sporadically. New alternator and batteries..... forgot to tighten the belts? Sheesh.

Thanks for the help guys!

Run Type F tranny fluid in a C6. You will have a happy tranny.

 

[Headerpower]

The loose belts could also cause your vacuum pump to be working at less than optimum. The shifting on the C6 is controlled by vacuum modulator on the side of the IP I believe, FWIW Welcome to Ford world!