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Topic: Debris on Transmission Dip Stick (Read 582 times) previous topic - next topic
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Debris on Transmission Dip Stick
Checked the transmission fluid in my 2006 E450 with the 4R100 transmission recently, and was surprised to see pieces of what looked like red scale or solidified particles of fluid on the dip stick.  Fluid was red, smelled OK, and is original to the trans from Ford.  RV has 20k on it, and shifts perfectly.  The little pieces of material feel more like "skin" from the fluid than anything solid.

Took the unit into Ford dealer, who didn't really know what the debris was, but had seen something similar "a few years ago."  They said they thought the debris might be coating from the inside of the dip stick tube breaking off and coming up on the extreme end of the dip stick (where you read the fluid level, not along the stick) or "dirt" that somehow got into the tube.  Their recommendation was dropping the pan, changing the filter and replacing the dip stick tube (total about $300).

I have never heard of this problem, and am seeking the combined opinion of the Forum before starting to tear things apart.
2006 RTK
Re: Debris on Transmission Dip Stick
Reply #1 –
$300 is cheap insurance to make sure all is well.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Debris on Transmission Dip Stick
Reply #2 –
Pull the pan!

$300 is about 50% more than I paid in April.
Paul
'92 Mid Bath
Re: Debris on Transmission Dip Stick
Reply #3 –
I was looking at another LD last year that had the same problem.  I believe that the solution was to change the dip stick tube or something like that.  Seems something fails with that thing and causes that type of problem.  Depending on the model year, it was either something you could do or better left to mechanics to do is another trivia piece I thing that I remember. Hopefully you will get a more precise answer than my fading memory.

Went out and googled it and found this article that reminded me that rust was the problem on the LD I was looking at:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28839805.cfm

Chesapeake, VA
Re: Debris on Transmission Dip Stick
Reply #4 –
Just dropping the pan will not completely change the fluid. And they are overcharging for that.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Debris on Transmission Dip Stick
Reply #5 –
Is the dipstick completely covered with the debris or just part of it.
Is it present above and below the oil level marking?
If just above the marking, condensation could be the cause, if above and below, I wouldn't guess with seeing it.
With only 20,000 miles on a 2006, it has sat a lot.

It's 11 years old and the transmission fluid probably has never been changed.
It's time to service it, no matter what the stuff on the dipstick is.
If it were me, the pan comes off, for cleaning and filter replacement. Then a full flush, it takes around 22-qts to clean and fill.
It isn't cheap but, from very personal experience, a remanufactured transmission is costly. It's cheaper to take care of it now.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Debris on Transmission Dip Stick
Reply #6 –
I found the exact same thing on my 2006 Tran dipstick back in March... looked like grit on the end, but fluid was clear/red.  Was in Palm Springs, took it in to the Ford dealer there and they did a flush & replace filter.   Tech said the dipstick tube is the culprit & said if I wanted to replace dipstick tube, they could do that, but I decided just to let it be (for now)
Daryl 
2020 Subaru Outback & tent ⛺️
          Previously:  2007  26.5’ mid-bath, “Blu Tent“ & 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport S         
                               2006  23.5’ front lounge
Re: Debris on Transmission Dip Stick
Reply #7 –
A couple of days ago I took my 2004 MB into the Ford dealership in Lancaster,California to have the transmission flushed. They told me it's gonna take 10qts to replace it and I told them that I thought it took more than that so they looked it up and said that the specs say 10qts. When I picked up the motorhome after the job was done I had to go dump my tanks before taking it home. Going down the road I noticed it was running different. I checked the transmission fluid and it didn't show anything on the dip stick. I was hotter than a 2 dollar pistol by then and took it back to Ford and told them that it wasn't registering on the dip stick that it had any fluid. The guy at the counter got on it right away because he saw how mad I was. I told him I wanted to see the dip stick after they added the tranny fluid in it. Long story short I took it out for a spin around the block before I signed off on it and the tranny fluid still didn't register on the dip stick. I didn't leave until I was satisfied and they finally got it right.. it was almost 4 qts low... moral of the story is always check the dip stick when you have someone else do the job for you.
2004 MB
Re: Debris on Transmission Dip Stick
Reply #8 –
"...moral of the story is always check the dip stick when you have someone else do the job for you"
---
I try hard not to let any "dipsticks" near my rig in the first place!  ;)

The manual for my 2003 E-450 with the 4R100 transmission lists the capacity and fluid type as 17.7 quarts of MERCON ATF. Check the manual for your 2004; the specs should be the same.

2003 TK has a new home
Re: Debris on Transmission Dip Stick
Reply #9 –
To tell you the truth, I don't think the guy was telling me the truth when he said it was almost 4 qts low. I think he was embarrassed of the whole situation especially when I took it around the block and it was still not registering. I wish I knew how to do my own Transmission flush. That's on my bucket list to learn how. Changing the motor oil is a piece of cake for me  ;)
2004 MB
Re: Debris on Transmission Dip Stick
Reply #10 –
I change the oil and filter and do other minor maintenance procedures, but leave the "bigger stuff" to the truck center ("supervised" and double-checked) or a friend with every tool in the mechanic's arsenal and the heavy duty skill set to use them!

This link describes the process and lists the needed tools, but for a complete flush, the "pump" does the job completely, and most driveway mechanics don't have one of these. (One also needs to be able to safely dispose of the fluid.)

How to Flush a Econoline Transmission | It Still Runs



2003 TK has a new home
Re: Debris on Transmission Dip Stick
Reply #11 –
Yes, always verify. I can recall a time or two I had similar experiences, including at a transmission shop and a Ford truck service center. It makes one shake ones head.

My wife and I did a job at a national repair facility where oil changes were a big market. They had experienced "oil outs", where a new engine is the result. The policy was to fill, check, start, recheck, and show the dipstick to the shop foreman. Of course leaving off the filler cap or the drain plug loose can even screw that up.

I don't think there are many guys and gals servicing vehicles who are dip sticks, but they are rushed, distracted, inexperienced, and as prone to error as I am. I like to think I am part of the system when I help by double checking things. I try to make sure it is known that I appreciate the skill and work required to be a service technician, even the lowly oil change apprentice. I sometimes offer a bottle of water when they are done to get that registration in their mind that I too am human and appreciate their work. That usually gets me invited into the shop to see old parts and such. Just do all this fast- they don't need interruptions.

We have a lot of new members, some of whom will be having service done in a truck center for the first time. It can be intimidating. And irritating on the other side of the counter. Usually the Lazy Daze itself is a good conversation starter to get that connection.  In the end though, think of a pilot. Would you fly with a pilot who didn't perform their own preflight?
Paul
'92 Mid Bath