E40 Tips and Longevity?

[warmblood58]

I just purchased a '94 IDI e350 cargo van that was used as a medical vehicle so it was well taken care of. It has 160,000 miles and was wondering if there is something I should do for the trans now while it is still in good shape aside from a fluid flush. Add additional cooler? Other? Overdrive works well and I believe that this has the dual mass flywheel which already sounds like a pain. Any thoughts on how best to maintain/upgrade this trans?

 

[idi_econoline]

Well, warmblood, I did a deep pan and bypass filter on my E4OD. Already have a decent aftermarket cooler in place.

I didn't think of a bypass filter for the trans, until my fleet mechanic pointed to the one on a late-model Isuzu NPR. Standard equipment, apparently!

Have had wild visions of what to do after my trans dies (though it's fine now). C-6, ZF5? Hopefully it'll be a long time off.

I'm also fond of Lucas Auto Trans treatment. Others may have other products to suggest.

 

[icanfixall]

The dual mass flywheel only is found in the standard trans. Generaly they were found behind the ZF 5 speed trans. Your 94 E4OD will have the light stamped flexplate wheel and the crank spacer. Those are found everywhere too. As for keeping the trans happy probably the two biggest things are clean oil and never allowing the temp to get over 200 degrees. A Mag hitech deep pan will add an extra 2 gallons of trans fluid to the capasity. Thats what I have on my E4OD trans.

 

[gandalf]

Gary hit the most important points. Do a thorough fluid flush. (Directions forthcoming if you want to do it yourself.) Put the biggest cooler you can find on the E4OD. I have a Tru-Cool Max. I also added a somewhat larger pan to the transmission, and have the added benefit of a drain plug.

 

['94IDITurbo7.3]

i added a tru cool max cooler to my truck and it dropped trans temps TREMENDOUSLY.

 

[trackspeeder]

If you want to the bigger pan route. Go to your Ford dealer and get the 4R100 pan. It has a drain plug and its dimpled to prevent the filter from falling out. You will need to use a 4x4 filter with this pan.

 

[Devon Harley]

I have 106xxx on my e4od original miles. I was told by a Ford tech to not to an repeat do not do a Complete Flush on a used e4od no matter what. If you flush a trans that has not been flushed within 40k if the trans is going out in anyway even if you have no signs you truck will not move again. The partials are what's causing friction between parts an making them move. He would not flush my truck period. Every shop in town wanted to flush it! He says be prepared to rebuild it when you get it flushed. After rebuild he said I would like to see it flushed every 30k. He said you can not over flush an trans that's flushed regularly, but a trans thats had no flush or few flush then it could be bad news. He could have took my money flushed it an my truck would have been stuck at his shop as most mech would want to get the bigger job more money. But he didn't so I won't be flushing a unknown trans. Drain the ATF add new change the trans filter, check the sensor on the ip for correct volts key on engine off right side of ip. An drive it maybe someone will chime in on this with expierence but I won't be flushing mine that's for sure.

 

[OLDBULL8]

I do not agree that a E4OD should not be flushed. By just draining it you still have ATF in all the clutch cylinders and torque converter. As far as an extra filter on them, an inline filter to the aux cooler is available from Ford dealers for about $14, you change it every time a flush is done, 30,000 miles recommended. Really no need to change the internal filter if no catastrofice failure has occured, there good for a 100,000 miles at least. Here is how to do a flush it's in the IDI tech articles.

http://www.oilburners.net/forums/showthread.php?29296-Flushing-a-E4OD-or-4R100

 

[idi_econoline]

Ah, well, OLDBULL8, guess the Baldwin bypass head and B164 are expensive overkill on my trans, but this isn't the first thing I've learned the hard way on my van. But, then I do tend toward overkill anyway.

Didn't know about the flushing, either; will research this more, as I am about to do a trans service once I'm up and running after head gasket job.

 

[warmblood58]

Want to do the flush as I have done this in the past with the other cars but I have heard of this problem resulting from flushing . . . . . deep pan and filtration sounds like a place to start along with a trans cooler and a temp gauge - would love to do a level 10 rebuild!

 

[Devon Harley]

Ya I wanted to do mine too. But that's a chance that comes with it honestly I would think that my trans on a bone stock low mile truck would be good enough to flush but maybe not if you haven't done all it's servicing. I do agree with flushing just not flushing an unknowen trans if you have the money to rebuild it if it was to go wrong then do it. But for now a filter bigger pan an temp sensor should do you well. My dads got over 200k on a auto all his maintance an miles but not one a used car he said others don't drive as him he's 57 an has sold tons of used cars at his lot an said just drive it an take the best care you can. Rebuild an flush at regular maintaince miles an run. I am not a perfessinal so what I hear from my dad an that olde ford mechanic I won't be flushing until I rebuild this monster. I have a sweet connect in AZ for e4od parts for rebuild at a great price

 

[Kevin 007]

I used Valvoline Max Life synthetic fluid, Magnefine inline fluid filter, bigger cooler and T/C lockup mod (manual switch). And the E4oD's then treat me just fine. Work em hard but I also don't abuse them.

Oh, I also use a "stay put" transmission filter clip to prevent the filter from falling to the bottom of the pan.

They are a great tranny if taken care of, and have a good overdrive to get those MPG's

 

[Black dawg]

I have 106xxx on my e4od original miles. I was told by a Ford tech to not to an repeat do not do a Complete Flush on a used e4od no matter what. If you flush a trans that has not been flushed within 40k if the trans is going out in anyway even if you have no signs you truck will not move again. The partials are what's causing friction between parts an making them move. He would not flush my truck period. Every shop in town wanted to flush it! He says be prepared to rebuild it when you get it flushed. After rebuild he said I would like to see it flushed every 30k. He said you can not over flush an trans that's flushed regularly, but a trans thats had no flush or few flush then it could be bad news. He could have took my money flushed it an my truck would have been stuck at his shop as most mech would want to get the bigger job more money. But he didn't so I won't be flushing a unknown trans. Drain the ATF add new change the trans filter, check the sensor on the ip for correct volts key on engine off right side of ip. An drive it maybe someone will chime in on this with expierence but I won't be flushing mine that's for sure.

The problem is that most people will do nothing (service wise) to an auto trans till it acts up. Then they take it to somebody and the fluid is pretty much ruined at this point (and the trans). A flush is done and filter replacement. A week later the trans craps entirely, and it just had to be somebodys fault, because it worked PERFEct before.

 

[reset2]

I myself dont believe in flushing a trans. I do agree to dropping the pan replace the filter (unless its a Nissan Sentra (one bolt holding the filter has a nut under the valve body) refill with ATF. I have read about the torque converter manual switch but havent done it. I also think that the trans cooler is a great idea but havent done it either.

 

[Iowa 73]

Flushing is bad news on a functional trans. Change the filter and top off the fluid. I have seen several perfectly functioning automatics take a crap after flushing.
Adding a larger pan is a good idea. The best thing to insure long life out of your trans is to not abuse it, don't run it low on fluid, and don't overheat it.