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RAM1961 · 10-12-2013, 08:41 PM

I was about 150 miles into today's return trip home from the Oregon Coast when all of a sudden the motorhome started lurching a little bit. My first thought was fuel pump, but the 460 FI was running fine. So I pulled over on I-84 and checked tranny fluid. It appeared to be low and I ended up adding a quart. Took off slowly and got to Hood River and decided to pull over and check again. Couldn't get a good reading on dipstick, but was a bit sluggish moving the lever through the gears. Slowly added a couple more quarts and finally it appeared I could see fluid on dipstick. Took off again and kept it under 60 but climbing out of the Gorge the tranny shifted from OD to Drive and all of a sudden I had lurching again and then I saw lots of white smoke going out the back end. Pulled over and shut things down for 30 minutes. Inspection didn't show any leaking on the ground but did appear like there may have been some fluid on exhaust? Fired it back up and drove 30 miles to Boardman at 50 mph. Seemed okay, so went on to Hermiston for the evening. All gauges read fine, but I'm wondering if I have a damaged tranny. It's 30 miles to Tri-Cities WA, but lots of hills between here and there. Don't know if I risk it or get a rental car here or what. Am pulling a small aluminum boat - but not a lot of weight to it. I should also add it's not shifting funny or anything.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

TXiceman · 10-12-2013, 08:53 PM

Check the vacuum modulator on the transmission. It has a diaphragm that can rupture and then the engine sucks oil back.

Ken

RAM1961 · 10-12-2013, 09:09 PM

Thanks - I'm trying to google where to find this modulator valve and not having any luck. Where should I be looking?

I am being told there is no modulator on E40D.

mpaton · 10-12-2013, 10:45 PM

It's an electronically controlled transmission, so no mechanical or vacuum modulator. You should use an OBD-1 reader and get the codes from the ECU, which may show engine and transmission codes.

subford · 10-13-2013, 04:57 AM

An over filled transmission will let fluid out of the vent on top that can burn off on the exhaust.
But check the codes as mpaton said above and if you fine none you might want to swap out the TR sensor on the drivers side of the transmission.
Note that an auto part store will call the TR sensor a neutral safety switch or MLPS.

If you do not have a code reader just ground the STI wire, turn on the key and count the flashes from the CEL (MIL) on the dash.

For more information on reading the codes like this go to this link:
Fuel Injection Technical Library » How To Run a Self-Test

The STI wire is the plug near the his thumb in the photo below with one wire in it. The plug may not be plugged into anything or just in a holder.
The STI & the self-test plug is what you plug into the code reader if you buy one.

If you go to buy a code reader at an auto parts store buy this one:

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