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1990 ford econoline shifting problems


miwise
02-22-2006, 10:44 PM
Hello everyone,
I just purchased my very first ford product (always bought toyota and chevy before) and I'm not really familiar with their products. I got a very good deal on a 1990 Ford Econoline customized van w/a 5.8 351 4 speed automatic tranny (I believe it is electronically controlled b/c it has the o/d disable button on the dash). The woman who owned it before me had not driven it for a while (the oil change said due by 10/20/2004 but still hadn't met the milage requirement).

Problem 1: There are several issues that I hope someone can help me with before I take it to my mechanic. It has not been shifting correctly. It tends to thump when it changes gears sometimes (although it has gotten better as I have driven it some) and it is much more pronounced when shifting out of 1st gear. Also, it seems to shift way too early making the engine bog down during shifts (unless I control the shifts manually with the shift lever). Then, when I get to about 65 it will plain refuse to downshift into 3rd gear when I give it gas to pass (but it will downshift if going 60 or less). This presents a problem if I want to tow something like my boat.

Problem 2: The van has 2 fuel tanks. When I use the front tank, it wants to hesitate after a few minutes of use. I put fuel conditioner into the tank to try to help in case of water in the gas, but that didn't help. I just filled the tank last week. It also sometimes hesitates when using the rear tank, but not nearly as bad as the front tank does. Can't even cruise from front tank w/out hesitating much less accelerate.

Problem 3: A/C Compressor is not engaging when put into a/c mode. Heater and blowers all work. Also, the rear a/c blower will not even turn on (possibly related to the a/c in front not working?).

Problem 4: (possibly related to problems 1 and 2) Has a shudder (sometimes) when stopping.

Conclusion: Shifting 1-2 very hard (sometimes hard b/w Park, Reverse, and Drive), Shifting too early, about 1/4 inch slack in rear drive shaft (possible rear end rebuild?), and frond/rear a/c not working.

Any help/suggestions given is greatly appreciated as I'm a teacher and don't have a lot of extra money to throw at the problem (would rather fix it right the first time). THANKS!!!

C. Cleve
02-23-2006, 06:23 AM
Hi, RE, Your 90 econoline trans problem, Do yourself a BIG favor and change the trans fluid first, Important ......Use the correct fluid...This MAY, solve your problem, Keep your fingers crossed, Should you need further help, let me know, I have all the TSB's and info on the E4OD trans...GOOD LUCK..Clay..

miwise
02-23-2006, 08:10 PM
Thanks for the insight. I'll check with the ford dealership tomorrow on doing just that! Appreciate the help.

miwise
02-25-2006, 06:03 AM
Took to transmission shop, but unfortunately they said I need to fix motor problems before I fix transmission (change plugs, wires, etc) b/c it doesn't have enough power. They said that the transmission fluid was fine. Although I don't understand what that has to do with the transmission, I am going to go to autozone today and buy a book to diagnose it myself.

I didn't mention one other thing in my original post. The oil pressure tends to drop to almost low after the engine has warmed to operating temp. My mechanic said it could be a sender problem, but is there anything else that could be wrong? Seems to work when I first crank it when cool, but gets very low (worried I'm going to burn up the motor). ANY help is GREATLY appreciated

C. Cleve
02-25-2006, 07:24 AM
Hi, miwise, .....Shame on me for not telling you what your mechanic said about the engine performance issue.....You definitely must have peak engine performance and horsepower for ANY automatic transmission to opereate efficiently, Please do yourself a BIG favor and adhere to his suggestions before going any further with your trans? diagnosis, By the way don't waste your money on an after market trans book....Get the manual from a dealer if you really want to try this on your own,, A word to the wise, let a certified ford tech tackle your E4OD trans issues, You will be better off in the long run....GOOD LUCK..... Clay...

miwise
02-25-2006, 07:52 AM
I will take it to the local ford dealer after I try a few basic things: change the fuel pump in forward tank (hesitates on that tank, I think it backfired once), change the fuel filter, change spark plugs. Oh, I notice one more think after taking off the interior hood. Oil is leaking around the valve covers (both). could that cause my low oil pressure issue? Also, I hear a slight ticking from the engine. I may have to just give up and take it in for everything.

miwise
03-03-2006, 01:50 PM
Took to ford dealer, and they charged me almost 100 dollars just to look at the vehicle. Basically what they said is that the fuel switch doesn't work b/c the forward fuel pump is bad (~400 dollars). The oil pressure is low b/c the engine's main bearings are worn. . .replacement only option (3800 dollars). The Transmission has some "internal problem" with it. . .replacement only option (2200 dollars). Total bill is 6400 plus tax to get it working correctly. I believe that they are wrong about several things, though. I have talked to several people and they said that if the engine isn't knocking then the main bearings are good. Took to transmission shop after taking to ford (they drove it around but didn't charge me) and said they think there are some broken springs in it and quoted me 1200 to fix tranny, so I'm pretty sure the transmission will need rebuilding. Does anyone have an opinion on the engine itself? I know that worn parts can cause low oil pressure, but I thought that the bearings would make noise if they were bad. I have never seen a dealership that would not service their own product (they treat it like a piece of electronics, just throw it away if something goes wrong). Any suggestions?

C. Cleve
03-04-2006, 05:17 AM
Hi, miwise RE, Your recent post, The almost $100, charge is diagnosis time at the dealer, this is SOP, The engine main bearings can be worn enough to drop the oil pressure when warm and still NOT knock, They can be replaced in vehicle, You just have to find someone to do it, The trans shop is correct in their broken spring diagnosis, The$1200, rebuild tag is good if they are going to fix all the things in the trans, The E4OD in your vehicle is an early generation and has had MANY!!!!!!!!updates since inception, RE, Ford TSB# 94-23-18, Be sure the trans shop knows this.....Good Luck, Clay...

miwise
03-04-2006, 08:25 AM
Hi,
Thanks for the reply. I did not mind paying for the diagnosis. Its just that I keep getting conflicting opinions which is frustrating, but I feel better about it now. I am going to see if my mechanic can replace the oil pump and the bearings (can this be done w/out removing the engine?).

C. Cleve
03-04-2006, 04:18 PM
HI, miwise, Read last response, Main bearings and oil pump can be replaced in chassis, this means without removeing the engine....Glad to help......See Ya,....Clay.....Bye....................

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