Transmission failure, 40400 miles

[Mike Poore]

BTW....I have had numerous CV's and I think they all had 4R70W's??? The 1998 we still have has 185K miles.....NO PROBLEMO!!!

Jack, not to beat this to death, but the CV does not have 300+ HP and many of the MM's on this site have a LOT more. I need to look up Dennis' post.

 

[jjaguda]

I had a buddy just trade in '96 T-Bird with over 160k on it. He was the original owner. He beat the hell out of the car every day. Car still ran strong and shifted smoothly. Only regular maintenance. Even though the car was rated at much less in the HP dept. this guy really pounded the car every day.

 

[Mike Poore]

Jack, not to beat this to death, but the CV does not have 300+ HP and many of the MM's on this site have a LOT more. I need to look up Dennis' post.

It was Lido who had the wonderful post about trans. here's the link. http://mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7491

Here's the part that got my attention:

Lido -" I basically tell all my customers with AOD-E’s and 4R70W’s that if you are abusive only in the first three gears and keep it out of overdrive when really horsing around, the AOD-E’s are pretty much indestructible. The overdrive can be weak because it uses a small band and not a clutch pack to apply OD. But outside of that they can handle more than most would have ever believed when they first started to come out a few years ago."

Sorry everyone, my bad for being confused about who said what, and incorrectly giving credit.

 

[sailsmen]

We have had several trans failures on this board. A small percentage yes, maybe 1-2%, none the less if it is your trans it is not a small %.

We are on our 3rd 4r70W trans in an E150 Traveler in 50K miles. Some of the MM failures were from incorrect assembly by Ford and others due to the sprial locking OD band clip poping off.

 

[Marauderjack]

Hey Mike....

I know the CV doesn't have 300+HP but the CV we still have has pulled my 22 foot Stingray boat to the keys 9 or 10 times......Boat and trailer weigh in at 6000# or more!!!

I don't think 300+HP would punish the tranny as bad as that.....but maybe it does!!

Marauderjack :bandit:

 

[Mike Poore]

Hey Mike....

I know the CV doesn't have 300+HP but the CV we still have has pulled my 22 foot Stingray boat to the keys 9 or 10 times......Boat and trailer weigh in at 6000# or more!!!

I don't think 300+HP would punish the tranny as bad as that.....but maybe it does!!

Marauderjack :bandit:

Jack, I don't think it's the power, or load, but more importantly, how it gets applied, ...and when. Read Lido's post about the O/D band and clutch pack, or lack of one.

 

[Mad4Macs]

Both repairs on mine were due to torque converter failures. Any ideas why that might be?

 

[WantOneSoBad]

I have a question, considering I'm still young (20) I always drive hard and I'm usually in OD. So, when should you be using OD and when shouldn't you. I don't really push my cars above the 70 mark except when traveling but I do have a habit of pulling away from lights pretty quickly, just threw that in there, to give a little more info.

 

[FordNut]

I always drive with mine in OD. If I'm at the drag strip, I push the button and turn it off.

 

[Captain Steve]

I have a question, considering I'm still young (20) I always drive hard and I'm usually in OD. So, when should you be using OD and when shouldn't you. I don't really push my cars above the 70 mark except when traveling but I do have a habit of pulling away from lights pretty quickly, just threw that in there, to give a little more info.

You're ok taking off from stoplights with the O/D on. The damage to the trans is from people stomping on the gas on the highway while in 4th(OD) gear.

 

[Dennis Reinhart]

Just got the word from the dealership, the transmission has failed again.
I need to know the secrets that my high horsepower, stock transmission bretheren possess, because this is the 2nd time I've been through this.
Yes, I accelerate hard, but I don't manually shift, override the shifts, override the overdrive etc.. etc etc, and I've never over revved it.
I put the car into reverse to back out of the driveway in the morning, put it into drive and then drive away to work. That's it.
Anyway... ESP covers the work and the rental, but between the SHO and the Marauder, I don't have any confidence in Ford to build reliable cars.
Just my 2 cents, based on my experiences, but that's how it is.
When the MM goes out of warranty... I don't know that I'll keep it.

I think it would help a lot of members here if you ask the dealer what failed, did the snap ring come off the Mech Diode assembly, dont get frustraighted over this, these transmissions can be done right and made to last, if I can help give me a call.

 

[metroplex]

Reason why your transmissions are failing:

Pic on Left

:help: No, seriously... even with a "bullet proof" transmission you can still destroy it. Even with a 6 speed custom race designed transmission, you can still destroy it.

If you want speed, be prepared to spend big bux. Allocate enough money for rear end and transmission replacements and you should be set.

 

[Marauderman]

I always drive with mine in OD. If I'm at the drag strip, I push the button and turn it off.

Brian--I think when you get S/C'ed you will fine yourself changing your style to OD OFF during normal city traffic until you get over say 50 mph , or changing your tune to do it for you until then---It's necessary cause you have a faster car sooner--lessens the # of gear changes so quickly and often--plus --you tend to help it along --know what I mean--you'll see........Tom

 

[Heavy351]

In my "88 CVPI there was a sticker right on the speedo that said something to the effect "shift into D for pursuit" Implying that banging in and out of OD in a chase was a bad idea....

My personal rules regarding the OD are:

- OD-OFF On winding back roads under 60 MPH when using 2 hands (OD-ON when just lollygagging along w/1 hand on the wheel)

- OD-OFF when merging into heavy traffic (MUCH more resposive) OD-ON when settled into cruise.

- OD-OFF when I know I am just about to stomp on it to pass on a 2 lane road and know its going to be a brutal drop into 2nd....

- OD-OFF in calmer passing situations and I know the shift is coming anyway, even if I have lots of room I will still do it so I can just float on by. Otherwise I find I am trying to find just the right pedal angle to force the downshift to 3rd > RPM's jump > you reflexively lift off the pedal slightly> PCM thinks you are done and shifts back to 4th :mad2:

I have always assumed that big changes in torque coming into the trans while in the wrong gear are the killer. Adjust your driving accordingly.

 

[metroplex]

Russ (JerseyVics) has a 1999 CVPI with the AED blower kit.

Just ask him how effective locking out OD was at keeping the OD band happy. Hint: He's on his 4th 4R70W now. And he had it bulletproofed just recently (bulletproofed tranny blew a load, which was his 4th 4R70W).

I know some people who never have a problem with the OD band.. but it's in my honest opinion that if you want to supercharge your Vic, get a 4R100 or a stick shift. The 4R70W is a good transmission with a decent reputation, but I'd feel a lot more comfortable with a beefier trans behind 300-500 ft-lb of torque.

 

[MENINBLK]

The MM's back in my possesion, and once again, the trans has (in an odd way) saved me some money.
Yes sir, I've avoided the 30,000 mile scheduled maintenance altogether, and the 60,000 mile transmission service now comes a little later than it would have done otherwise.

You wanted to know a secret ???

Most of us don't wait until the PRESCRIBED SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE interval.
My tranny sees fresh oil every 15,000 miles, and its not just a pan drop and filter.
Some even do it sooner. It all depends on your driving habits and what you expect to get out of your Marauder.