[raulaleman84]

Hello all,
I've been reading and learning from all. But I'm hoping to find some help here.
So I bought a 2000 ford e450 school bus.
7.3 L turbo diesel. Not sure about trans but internet said 4r100.

I drove it all the way from NJ to FL, a total of 1k miles. During the trip it started venting to the point of evaporating all of the fluid. I had to add fluid along the way to make it home.

I've taken the bus to 3 different mechanics.
1st said is common for those transmissions to overheat. He suggested to install an extra radiator/cooler in front.
2nd said to change oil and filter. Also add radiator/cooler.
3rd AAMCO transmission said that there was no electrical problem/computer problems, must be mechanical, change transmission at cost of 3500.

I've driven the bus and it seem to start venting fluid after 20-30 min drive time.
But my question is, if the transmission is that bad. Wouldn't it slip, make noise, not get in gear, etc.

Thanks in advance, long post, just trying to provide info.

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[bork]

Hopefully Mark K., will chime in. I dont know much, but if it were me, I'd try to monitor temperatures. There is a plug on drivers side to install a sensor for the gauge. Try a search in the F series drive train to see if there happens to be a solution. Could it be over filled? I would think it would be super hot to do what you said, & if so, the fluid is probably burnt. Have you tried smelling fluid from dip stick? Also there is some kind of bypass on passenger side, that may be stuck. IIRC it helps warm up faster, like a thermostat, but I'm not sure. Are you still in Fl? I know of a super guy in Ft Pierce, that specializes in 7.3 psd but not sure how versed he is, in trannies, but he would tell you up front.

on edit a little search findings; http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f24/transmission-hot-505593/
and
http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f24/tranny-running-hot-still-574402/
and
http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f24/automatic-transmission-overheating-439369/
and
http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f24/towing-issue-transmission-overflowing-303599/

 

[raulaleman84]

Hello Bork,
There is no smell of burned fluid. It just starts to vent when it gets hot.

I've had cars in the past that had transmission problems and it was obvious. This is different to me, that's why I'm not so sure about replacing it.

I'm in central Florida.
Thanks for input.

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[Mark Kovalsky]

The only time I've ever seen a trans vent is when it's overfilled. It won't only vent until the level is right, it will blow right past the right level and vent until it's several quarts low. When you check the level is the trans warmed up, in park, with the engine idling?

It is a 4R100. Every 2000 E-Series had a 4R100 trans. There was no other possibility.

Where in central Florida? I used to live in Ocala. I know of two shops there that I trust completely. I've had each of them work on my vehicles, and I don't take that lightly.

Also there is some kind of bypass on passenger side, that may be stuck. IIRC it helps warm up faster, like a thermostat, but I'm not sure.

It isn't a thermostat, and it does NOTHING to help warm the trans. It opens if the cooler circuit is plugged to maintain flow to the lube system. That's all it does.

 

[raulaleman84]

Hello mark,
I live in Lakeland area. My parents live in ocala. So it is no problem for me to have some work be done in that area.
Thanks

Edit: I'm hopping to find a mechanic that wants to help me troubleshoot the problem and not just jump into replacing transmission.


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[raulaleman84]

Anything assessment I can do on my own?


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[Mark Kovalsky]

The first thing you could do is to get the fluid level correct. Warm the trans up, but not warm enough to make it vent. Check the trans fluid level with the trans in park and the engine idling.

The PM I sent you with the info to two shops are both shops that will diagnose, not just replace.

 

[raulaleman84]

The first thing you could do is to get the fluid level correct. Warm the trans up, but not warm enough to make it vent. Check the trans fluid level with the trans in park and the engine idling.

The PM I sent you with the info to two shops are both shops that will diagnose, not just replace.

At the moment it is a little over full. Mostly because I added a quart every time I drove it since it was venting/draining.

Should I remove some from the drain bolt ? Then, test drive again, see if it vents after 20-30 min?

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[Mark Kovalsky]

Yes, you should remove some fluid. An overfilled trans is very likely to vent.

 

[raulaleman84]

Yes, you should remove some fluid. An overfilled trans is very likely to vent.

Will do.
Spoke with a diesel mechanic at the local ford dealership. Told him what was going on and he said: "yes, a 2000 vehicle with 100k+ miles on it. You probably need a new transmission."
;-(

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[StockKnocker]

Will do.
Spoke with a diesel mechanic at the local ford dealership. Told him what was going on and he said: "yes, a 2000 vehicle with 100k+ miles on it. You probably need a new transmission."
;-(

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Raulaleman84,
In my opinion, if that is what a guy said at dealership, you should run (not walk) out of there clenching your cheeks together! My 2003 E-350 has 165,000 work miles on it and works and shifts beautifully. I do however maintain it carefully and use only fluids and techniques that Mark has recommended. If I had a transmission problem, and Mark K. recommended not 1 but 2 possible shops that he would actually recommend, in my area, I would ONLY bring my van to one of those 2 places! In case you don't know, Mark knows as much or more about these transmissions than anyone on the planet and continuously helps hundreds of people maintain/diagnose/repair these 4R100's each year! I haven't ever seen or heard of "venting" problem, but I have seen other guys' trucks with slow leaking hose clamps,bad lines, clogged Manefine filters that they didn't know were there, possibly had wrong fluid/no scheduled maintenance, etc. Take it to the recommended shop and you will have it fixed the first time! That's 50% off from doing it twice! My .02.

 

[raulaleman84]

Hello Stockknocker,
That is a definitely yes on going over the recommended shops that mark suggested.
I just figured I would do some checking around my current town. I will be taking the bus over to Ocala this weekend.
Thank you all.


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[Mark Kovalsky]

Will do.
Spoke with a diesel mechanic at the local ford dealership. Told him what was going on and he said: "yes, a 2000 vehicle with 100k+ miles on it. You probably need a new transmission."

He's wrong.

 

[jmadigan]

shoot i have 205,000 miles on my stock trans with no problems.

 

[raulaleman84]

shoot i have 205,000 miles on my stock trans with no problems.

It was a school bus. So lots of stop and go.
I'll wait to see what the shops in ocala say.

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[jmadigan]

thats a good point. Although im just probably one of the lucky ones. People are saying these transmissions will fail one day without warning.

 

[raulaleman84]

Hello all,
Just wanted to say that after I got the bus to ocala. I decided to sell it instead of trying to figure out the transmission problems. The thought of spending another 3,500 on a new transmission scared me.
Thank you all for the input.
And big thanks to Mark for recommending the ocala shops.
Bus sold for 3k.

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