I am 400 miles from home and am running into a slight problem. Not sure what overdrive Trans is in the van E4OD? anyway it is slipping? is not exactly accurate it loses everything in all gears in spurts, seems to happen more so on inclines. I checked and fluid was very slightly low. So ok fill it up and after short drive with one or two short losses it is fixed, but 2 items seem odd to me. I see no drips, no leaks, wet pan, anyplace the fluid could be going anywhere. By the way this has happened several times on these long trips to a total of about 3 quarts of fluid in in last 10,000 miles. Also no obvious white smoke out exhaust like when a modulator went bad on a former vehicle. Fluid change was about a year ago and it was probably 8 mos. before this condition started. so don't think that's related 2nd odd item is given that it's been a year since last change I would expect the fluid to have a bit of a burnt odor, but the fluid appears new and no burnt odor at all. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to look for? I happen to be in a state now where a repair shop would be 2-3x as much as home. so I think I will be ok as long as I fill regularly and keep an eye on it but I want an idea of what direction I'm going in when I get home. I do have 2 days off here next week so will crawl under for a better look checking all lines to cooler, looking more closely for leaks etc. I can probably also get away with dropping pan and changing fluid and filter here. Thanks for any help/ideas
Will check before I head to my shoot this morning. Hadn't thought of that. I did replace the Rad. a few months ago. 1st one was bad, leaked on install and had to get another. darned new fangled plastic capped rads. Although I subscribe to simplist is usually right, I think you originall posted about the pick up and filter comming loose. That could be causing my loss of tranny in all gears when only slightly low I guess and I could have 2 probs pick up and loss of fluid into the rad. But wouldn't that also mean coolant in the trans fluid? I see no signs of that.
Remember that your transmission is computer controlled. It is likely a 4R70W - which is a fairly good transmission. (AOD and AODEs big brother) Have the throttle pressure checked - or check it yourself. If it only happens on ;ong trips then add an external cooler - a big one. If the filter was replced when you changed the fluid then it might have come loose or a gasket might have been left out. If it wasn't replaced it might be clogged. Never hurts to replace it.
Just checked door tag, Trans code E so it is the E4OD and has been the weak link in this van. 318,000 miles and only the trans has had to be rebuilt at about 100,000 miles. Other then that this thing has been great. Anyway Paul Thanks for your input as well. I sure hope as much as you help folks here someone came to your aid on the heads removal. Update on my situation. Local driving only since I posted, maybe only 10 mins on hwy each way yesterday and no issues at all. But... My plans on crawling under in motel parking lot to do a fluid change and check pickup/filter may be on hold. It snowed most of yesterday then mixed snow and rain and still today. This reminds me of why I gave up manual transmissions, The last 2 times I had to replace a clutch it was in slush. Somehow at 53 I don't feel like laying in slush to do that stuff anymore. Coolant was about 1/2 gallon low but no signs of contamination.
The E4OD transmissions were habitual about puking oil out the vent at sustained highway speeds. You never knew it was leaking because it missed almost everything under the car. A large cooler will help but keeping the transmission full is a priority.
Thanks Paul, I guess what confusses me is that This hasn't happened in the first 300,000 miles. This is new. If that's all it is no problem I'll just check weekly and before and after every trip. I just never had to do that before. It's time for a fluid change anyway so I'll check out what's happeneing with the filter see if I see any reason. My son and I had already planned on doing both our cars when I return from this trip anyway. A cooler is a good idea, I am leaning towards keeping it instead of purchasing another as it has the 351 and I still get 17-18 mpg on hwy and 16 around town, seems to be better then most and I haul a lot of weight in it. Body is in good condition and I can rebuild suspension motor and tranny for prob 6,000 Interior is in good condition, not great but I usually drive alone and have 1 more captains chair to replace my drivers seat. (wore out one and working on the second now.) It's a conversion van and I have all the back seats removed to get all my equip. in I had an extra leaf added to rear springs for the weight I carry. In short it's set up the way I like. Plus at this point I just want to see how many miles I can put on it.
