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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 463
CEG\'er
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OP
CEG\'er
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Posts: 463 |
A CD4E saved!
After a lot of research and help from the CEG regulars I have fixed my TC slip problem. It seems that the CD4E has a design flaw and that causes poor oil pressure to the TC. The TC bypass valve (in the valve body) is acted upon by the TCC solenoid and directs line pressure to the TC for lock up. The bypass valve gets worn out over time and starts to bind. The two possible outcomes from a worn (binding) bypass valve are;
High converter pressure causing converters to actually burst.
Or
Low converter pressure (and cooler flow) causing slip and heat.
The low converter pressure causes the clutch disks in the TC (used for luck up mode) to slip generating extreme heat when cruising. The PCM detects the slip and puts the transmission in ??bang shift? mode. If things get bad enough (if you ignore it and keep driving) the fluid in the TC will supper heat (the check engine or OD light will come on).
All CD4Es should have a valve body modification and new (updated) valves and accumulator pistons installed. If you do this early enough, you can prevent TC failure. The VB can be replaced with the engine and tranny still in the car. The TC requires engine or tranny removal.
Installing an external cooler and or filter is a good idea but will not prevent or delay the bypass valve failure. A new updated valve design is the only cure.
My TC was too far gone (from diving with low pressure) and had to be replaced. I did it myself in the driveway (it took about two days. The VB took about four hours because the cooling system had to be drained (V6).
I paid $275 for a rebuilt and updated VB and $100 for the rebuilt TC. I??m very happy with the results and am going to give my air tools a few extra drops of oil for all the hard work they did.
jeff
have you fixed your ford lately?
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 10
New CEG\'er
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New CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 10 |
Congratulations! Please keep us updated as to whether it stands the test of time. I'm presently trying to scrape the $2K together to do the same thing, professionally, since I'm not as skilled as you. You've been a big help to me in narrowing down the same problem. I only wish it was a cheap fix. There are so many owners out there believing in just temporary cures for the flashing O/D light.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,117
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,117 |
Originally posted by mercman:
... going to give my air tools a few extra drops of oil for all the hard work they did.
Friggin' air tools!!! That's cheatin' man!! 
Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,603
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,603 |
Originally posted by mercman:
Installing an external cooler and or filter is a good idea but will not prevent or delay the bypass valve failure. A new updated valve design is the only cure.
Jeff, you are partially right.
An External Cooler and an inline filter will delay the bypass valve failure,
because both of these allow the oil to live longer and cleaner.
This keeps the oil in a lubricating state and that prevents the Bypass Valve from failing.
A Bypass Valve Failure can be completely prevented with PROPER MAINTENANCE.
This means COMPLETELY changing your ATX Oil every 12,000 miles or sooner.
Now the $2,500 question for the day is...
"Do all of the FORD REMAN CD4E ATX come with the upgraded Bypass Valve and Valve Bodies ??"
Pete...
2004 Mercury Marauder 300A
Black Clearcoat/Dark Charcoal LEATHER
DOB 10/31/2003
DOP 1/2/2004
www.mercurymarauder.net
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 463
CEG\'er
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OP
CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 463 |
If Ford did their own rebuilds (I doubt they do) then I would have to say no since they wouldn??t deviate from the company standard. I would assume (based on what I have read) that most rebuilders do the mods since they guarantee their work. Also, I can??t see how you could properly rebuild a VB (with worn bores) without using the updated valves. If you pull the side cover you can check the regulator valve plug for the mod (it will have a hole in it.
As for complete fluid change every 12k mi being proper maintenance, I would say that it is required for the CD4E but totally ridiculous unheard of that any tranny needs this much service to stay alive. If I knew that when I purchased my Myst, I would have saved the $800 bucks and got the 5 spd. A 36k flush is normal for an automatic.
jeff
have you fixed your ford lately?
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,603
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,603 |
Originally posted by mercman:
As for complete fluid change every 12k mi being proper maintenance, I would say that it is required for the CD4E but totally ridiculous unheard of that any tranny needs this much service to stay alive. If I knew that when I purchased my Myst, I would have saved the $800 bucks and got the 5 spd. A 36k flush is normal for an automatic.
I've tried telling this to FORD and they turned a deaf ear on me.
I'm driving my THIRD CD4E.
Both the first and second failed soon after the 30,000 mile service.
I've serviced the curent CD4E twice in the last 13,000 miles and so far it is ok.
My dealership agrees with me that no transmission should die the way my first two did.
They are also very surprised that FORD denied me any support at all on the second CD4E.
When this third one dies, FORD is going to get a letter from my lawyer.
Pete...
2004 Mercury Marauder 300A
Black Clearcoat/Dark Charcoal LEATHER
DOB 10/31/2003
DOP 1/2/2004
www.mercurymarauder.net
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,944
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,944 |
Originally posted by mercman:
If Ford did their own rebuilds (I doubt they do) then I would have to say no since they wouldn??t deviate from the company standard.
I was going to say the same thing last night, but my puter freaked out on me!!  Oh well.
But yes, from what information I have been able to get relating to the CD4E, the bypass valve design is the same across all model years. As Merc pointed out, since it is a Ford reman, it will still be a Ford spec tranny.
Just so everyone can be on the same page as far as what is being discussed here, check out pages 4&5 of this old PDF. These are drawings of the bypass and pressure regulator valves by Sonnax with comparison drawings to the OEM valves. Might make things a little easier to understand for those that have not had to dream about valve bodys for two months straight. 
Phillip Jackson
`98 Mystique LS
262K+ and counting...
ATX rebuilt @ 151K
"This storm has broken me, my only friend!" RIP Dime
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,163
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,163 |
RoadRunner said:
"When this third one dies, FORD is going to get a letter from my lawyer."
Yes but are you not doing all the right things (maintenance ATX cooler, fluid change every 12K, ATX fluid filter) so that your ATX will not fail this time?
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 34
New CEG\'er
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New CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 34 |
You should use Mobil 1 synthetic ATF. Its worth the extra few dollars a quart. The synthetic can take the higher temperature without burning. Is there anyone out there that has a failed CD4E transmissions when they used synthetic ATF from the beginning? Please reply this would be helpful to people using synthetic ATF. I'm personally hoping that the synthetic ATF is enough and that I don't need a transmission cooler. Originally posted by RoadRunner:
Originally posted by mercman:
As for complete fluid change every 12k mi being proper maintenance, I would say that it is required for the CD4E but totally ridiculous unheard of that any tranny needs this much service to stay alive. If I knew that when I purchased my Myst, I would have saved the $800 bucks and got the 5 spd. A 36k flush is normal for an automatic.
I've tried telling this to FORD and they turned a deaf ear on me.
I'm driving my THIRD CD4E.
Both the first and second failed soon after the 30,000 mile service.
I've serviced the curent CD4E twice in the last 13,000 miles and so far it is ok.
My dealership agrees with me that no transmission should die the way my first two did.
They are also very surprised that FORD denied me any support at all on the second CD4E.
When this third one dies, FORD is going to get a letter from my lawyer.
'96 Mystique GS 2.0L ATX
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,603
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,603 |
Originally posted by contour_phoenix_when:
Yes but are you not doing all the right things (maintenance ATX cooler, fluid change every 12K, ATX fluid filter) so that your ATX will not fail this time?
On the first two CD4Es, I did it FORD's way.
On the third one I have now, I'm doing it MY WAY.
Partial fill and drain every 6,000 miles.
Full Flush every 12,000 miles.
Watching the ATX Oil Temp every where I drive.
Pete...
2004 Mercury Marauder 300A
Black Clearcoat/Dark Charcoal LEATHER
DOB 10/31/2003
DOP 1/2/2004
www.mercurymarauder.net
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