I have noticed my trans "hitching" what I
call it when it feels like it slips out of gear
when you let off the gas and then kind of
clanks when you reapply the gas. I don't
know the correct terminology for this sort of thing,but it's bothering the hell out of me just the same. So,I checked the fluid
today after a drive,and it's the color of iced
tea(you fellow southerners know what I'm
talking about) and the fluid on the dipstick
was full of bubbles. the bubbles I'm not
so worried about,it's the color and smell.
I did a recirculatory fluid change at 25k
and now I'm at 45k. Is it time to cash in on
my extended warranty? should it be fine
with another recirc. fluid change?
the fluid smell isn't strong but it's getting there,,,,and I have a 1000 plus mile trip
coming up in 3 weeks,so I don,t want to
be stuck in the midsouthwest with a bad
tranny,,,,no way,,uh uh..thanks for any help you can give,,,,,silverford? any of this
sound familiar to your problem?,,,,,,,,,98

------------------
98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips
color matched snuglid
B&M Shiftplus
Westin nerfsblk powdercoat
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
Kenwood cd w/RS speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
On the way/wheels,tires,air dam,
doin the monochromatic boogie
on the front end.etc.etc....etc......

 

If it were me I would go ahead and do the trans oil exchange and replace the filter and see how it responds. This would probably be Fords first response in diagnostics anyway. The interval for trans service for "severe duty" is now recommended at 21K. Normal service 30K. In reading your previous posts you sound like you do some serious driving. I would follow the recommendations for maintenance using the severe duty guidelines. Anyway, it could be something as simple as a clogged filter starving the pump. That B&M kit increases line pressure too, which could make a clean filter more important.

Hobbit

 

It's possible, but I usually put it on a car
transport for long distances. I've only made a few 200 plus trips in the last 6 to8
months, plus maybe one 1000 miler a year. maybe that is severe duty as far as
ford is concerned. I'll see what they(the dealer) have to say,and get the fluid changed,,,and filter. Although supposedly
the recirculatory is going the opposite way
and cleans the filter. maybe I'm wrong.
Also the filter is supposed to be a perma
nent type? I don't know for sure,,,,,,98

 

The trans pan gasket is supposed to be a permanent type, I don't think the filter qualifies.

------------------
97 F-150, 2WD, Reg Cab,Flareside,Dk Toreador Red, Windsor 4.6, Magnecor 8.5mm wires, Bosch Plat +4s, 3.55 LS, EGR Bug Deflector, ******* Bed Cover, Bed Liner, XL Full Length Running Boards, Air Aid Kit, Gibson Single Out Cat Back, Superchips, TransGo Shift Kit, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Hellwig 2500# Overload Springs,Energy Suspension Polyurethane Front Sway Bar Bushings, 265 70 16 tires, Rancho RS9000 shocks

 

98 screamwe, just now caught your message and it sounded very familiar to me. I've got a 97 4.6 XLT, supercab with now 90,000 miles on it. I am not afraid to drive it anywhere, and I started pulling a small camper with it last summer.
At about 33,000 miles, it would tend to lurch or hunt for the gear at about 1500 to 1800 rpm, and a slight acceleration. I was really pi$$ed, being my first big truck. like I said, I spend some time on the road with it, and it made me feel that it was cheap. I spent the bucks and had the fluid and filter changed at 36,000 miles in Sweetwater TN. Made a world of difference.
Anyhow, after another 20,000 miles i started pulling this small camper. 2500 lbs. The lurching started all over again. Read alot of the posts on this site, so I finally figured out that the heat from everyday driving, and the occassional pulling of my camper was wearing out my tranny fluid. It too was the color of iced tea, but didn't smell like burnt toast (always heard that's the way to tell if it's time to change.).
I installed a B&M tranny cooler, 22,000 lb cooling, dropped the tranny fluid and filter, and drained the torque converter. messy, but worth it!
I now have 90,000 miles on it. Runs like a top. Pulled camper 8 times this year, with one trip to PA and NJ about 200 miles, at 70 to 73 MPH. Still got 15 mpg. No problems, tranny runs cool. This is even with a 3.08 rearend. I want to step up to a 3.55 when I finally get to where I need the engine rebuilt, that maybe 150,000 or longer!

Tranny cooler and fluid change. Good insurance in the south!


------------------

 

make that 2000 miles roundtrip to PA and NJ.

 

It has a trans cooler,came with the towing
package,I believe. I'm thinking about adding a fan to the cooler and putting in a
trans temp guage also. Hopefully this will
take care of the problem after the fluid change,,,,,,,,,,98

------------------
98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips
color matched snuglid
B&M Shiftplus
Westin nerfsblk powdercoat
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
Kenwood cd w/RS speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
On the way/wheels,tires,air dam,
doin the monochromatic boogie
on the front end.etc.etc....etc......

 

Screamer - I just came into this post so it may have already been resolved. You said you think it has a cooler on it already? I thought my 97 did and I found it out it was not for the Tranny - My next thought cool thi is a engine oil cooler...I checked the and followed the lines - Nope- It is a dam Power Steering Fluid cooler of all things! I traced the lines from the cooler right back to the power steering system. So just to make sure you may want to trace your lines and verify where that cooler goes. Good Luck



------------------
1997 F150 4.6L, Flare side,American Racing Baja 16X8's, Goodyear Wrangler's LT305/70/16's ATS, Flowmaster 50 series, 3" cat,3.5 Suspension Lift kit, Tinted Windows, Superchip, Rancho 5000's

 

Mine has two coolers in front of the radiator,which are clearly visible through
the front bumper slot and grille. With it having a towing package I assumed........
I'll definately go check it out,thanks,,,,,,,98

------------------
98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips/rear exiting.
color matched snuglid
Superchip!!!
Westin nerfs blk .powdercoat
Clear front corners
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
Kenwood cd w/Radio Shack speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
On the way/wheels,tires,air dam, etc..etc.......
doin the monochromatic boogie
on the front end.Billet grilles on order
Hoping for deliverance from door crack hell.