Everyone with an Automatic inside!!

Ok guys I got quite a few PM's over this from this board and from a couple others that I post on.

Let me state that everyone here that reads this it might not apply to your specific application, but it sure is a hella lot cheaper to check than it is to find out like I did.


Yes this is a re-post from another thread but I thought it needed to be here too!

Start original post here:


Ok as most of you know, I'm a pretty die-hard Ford kinda guy, with a few exceptions.
That doesn't mean that Ford doesn't come up with some really dumbass-riffic-stupendiously-geniusomatic, stupid **** for brain ideas.

So my story begins:

Well as we all know, the last time I went wheeling I lost the oil pump in my 224k mile motor, eh not so bad, I can deal with that, so Saturday I went to work and put a new motor in the Nasty Hoe.

While in the process of removing the transmission cooling line from the radiator, a Pepto Bizmo pink colored fluid came out!
But if you recall I so called "Water Proofed" my truck, so I thought.

While at the last run some of you all might recall, due to a slight navigational error, I wound up in some water approximatly 3 1/2' or so deep (up over my lap while sitting in the driver's seat), and was dubbed the new Submarine Captain!

Well after going ahead and pulling the transmission and transfer case, my 30k mile "Ford" rebuilt transmission was completly full of water and transmission fluid, I don't even know how we kept on wheeling for another 5-6 hours after that.

So after further inspection, with the transmission out, I noticed 2 little rectangular holes in my vent tube up at the top of the bellhousing, I'm not sure what Ford was thinking but this turned out to be a disaster for me!

So after being pretty, well, miffed about that I went out back at work and snatched up a 5 speed and shoved it in there insted, so now I need to go buy a clutch and pressure plate, and swap out pedals, put the transfer case back on and put in the drive shafts, and we'll be back on the road, it just was a little more than my pocket book was ready to deal with this weekend.


So all you clowns with automatics that like to play in the water like I do, pull that factory vent tube off and replace it quickly, or you might wind up with pansyass pink fluid funfilling your day too!
But oh well that's the price you pay to play!




UPDATE:


Went to work and checked 5 other 1st gen. 4 speed automatics from Explorers, and have seen anywhere from 2-3 punched/stamped holes in the vent tube of transmissions that come in the 4x4 application.
I didn't have time to check on the 2nd gens so someone may want to take up my slack here.

 

[ST-01]

Sub Captain, At the beginning you posted that you used a 5 speed to replace the aod. What was it? and what car donated it? I have an ST what the crappiest mazda 5 speed known to mankind. I trying to find out if a mustang T-5 will work. Thanks.

 

[410Fortune]

SVO:

If you want help with making your wiring work let me know, the neautral safety switch is not that tricky.

Did you install the 3 way clutch switch on your new clutch pedal????

Do you have a CEL?? with the auto computer?
I have my old 5 speed computer from when I did the opposite of what you just did. I have been through the transmission wiring harness changes about a dozen times so we should be able to make your truck work like stock and still retain your manual reverse light switch

I actually added a single 12v fog light to my stock reverse light wiring. At first I was worried about the additional load it would put on the circuit, but its been 6 months and both reverse lights and the new fog work like a charm (very bright).

Glad you got it all working!!!

Do you want to sell me your old kick down cable?

We should have just swapped! I still have my old Clutch pedal assembly, 3 way switch, hydraulic line, etc etc...


Oh andd my A4LD does NOT have the vent holes inthe metal line.

It is POSSIBLE to remove the entire vent tube line without dropping the tranny, it is a PITA but it can be done from behind the upper intake manifold. You have to climb up on the engine and get those pesky 13mm upper tranny bolts,bracket, etc......

 

[TANSTAAFL]

JB Weld!! Whadda ya think SVO?

Any tranny specialists want to chime in on why these holes are there?

Not a tranny expert, but just my two cents. I checked out vent tube on my 98 and have the same setup. It might be the holes are to act as a anti siphon for the tube, or, it could be possible with the open ended tube, at hwy speeds, said open ended tube without the holes could induce a venturi effect, creating a vacuum on the tranny pulling out any mist or fluid splash from internal agitation.

In short, I don't think I will be sealing off the holes, but will try to avoid deep water.

 

[dreamr]

Check the dates on those posts

 

[SVO]

Check the dates on those posts

5spd is still kick'n it!


So is that motor!

Jeff - :navajo:

 

[Turdle]

Bumping this for the contained info

 

[Mr.Fork]

im slightly lost, and if this has been covered i apologize. but why is this a big thing? its a vent tube so there is already a way for water to enter anyway, correct? or is this because people willl sometimes cover the vent tube and there is still a way for water to enter? wouldnt an easy solution be to run a rubber hose all the way up into the engine bay? Sorry if i sound stupid, im just trying to understand the significance

 

[Maniak]

im slightly lost, and if this has been covered i apologize. but why is this a big thing? its a vent tube so there is already a way for water to enter anyway, correct? or is this because people willl sometimes cover the vent tube and there is still a way for water to enter? wouldnt an easy solution be to run a rubber hose all the way up into the engine bay? Sorry if i sound stupid, im just trying to understand the significance

Some people would extend the breather and not notice that even though they extended the line that there is still a hole at the top that will let water in.

~Mark