Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Auto trans Filter, Anybody out there...

know where it goes? I have several exploded view diagrams of the CD4E, but still cannot figure out where it attaches and mounts.
It looks like there is a solenoid pack and valve body assy directly behind the side pan and the filter is somewhere nearby.
The word is that the filter is not serviceable, but several auto parts stores sell the filter and pan gasket kit including Napa.
Anybody change it?

Personally I like the fact that Saturns (at least the last one I worked on) have the "oil-type" transmission filter as well and a drain plug on the tranny pan...this doesn't help does it? I am curious as well...anyone...

It's a screen. It doesn't get replaced.

The fluid filter,magnetic filter and a couple of line filters can only be serviced when the trans is stripped............

Yes, but where does the main fluid filter actually go? Where is the magnet and other filters?
I purchased the above kit a few years ago in hopes of being able to change the filter. The kit contained a plastic cased filter with a felt, not screen media, which led me to believe it is serviceable.
I also spoke to someone at SPX Filtran, who said that their filter is the only one approved by Ford and there are other bogus, non-approved filters on the market (foreign made) with inferior medias.
I am getting concerned about my tranny. I have never gone this long w/o a filter change (86K) on any of my vehicles. At the very least, I am considering the inline Magnefine, which I can easily change periodically.
And yes, the spin-on Saturn is ideal. Why can't the clowns at the design centers use this type on all auto transmissions?

They are all located inside the trans ..as I said...and can't be changed without stripping the trans...removing the pan will not give you access..the case has to be split... :rolleyes:

What numbskull thought this one up? A filter in the trans that requires disassembly to access?!!
Why even bother with putting in a filter, cuzz the tranny will die anyway by 100k if you don't change it every 30k or so.
Ford strikes again!!!!!!!!

Seems to work fine on most other modern transmissions,most of which dont have an external filter....

Maybe it is a good thing. Every Automatic I've broken has had a filter.

And yes, I did take care of them.

The only tranny I've had that should have broke, but didn't was the PowerGlide in my 66 Nova.

Of course, that was the car I drove when I was 16

TB
Who really detests automatic transmissions, but that's all Wifey drives.

I've changed filters on many different automatic transmissions including Ford C4, FMX, C5, C6, ATX; GM TH 350, 125, 440; JATCO, Isuzu, etc. They all had one thing in common - there was plenty of muck in the pan and on the filters.
Maybe its a comfort factor, but I strongly believe in being able to (easily) change the filters. With all the wear particles generated by an auto trans from the friction surfaces, bearings, etc., its inevitable that the filters will pick up the particles to the point of restricting flow or eventually clogging. A car is not a stationary device, so movement down the road is bound to stir-up a bunch of this stuff to circulate in the system.
The CD4E is not the most robust transmission in the world, so taking steps to preserve its life is not too much to ask for!