Overheated trans, damage?

[Tom S.]

quote:Originally posted by Clyde n Deb

Looks like in that year, Ford speced 75W140 synthetic with a can of special Ford "voodoo" juice additive as well. Probably felt strong enough about it to go with those service recommendations.

If Ford's voodoo juice was the same as GM's I can tell you what it was. GM recommended it for use in the old GM positraction units if the clutches started to slip. It was some of the nastiest smelling stuff on the planet, and according to my two different sources, was whale oil - specifically from sperm whales. When whale products became illegal/cost prohibitive, other friction modifiers were used in it's place. So in essence, the voodoo juice is a friction modifier designed to interact with the clutch plates in the locking unit.

Man, am I dating myself with this thread!!! I guess it comes from being a gearhead since I was old enough to hold a wrench.

Ken: As for replacing your trans fluid, since you were using synthetic, it might not have been necessary since it has a higher temp rating than standard trans oil. However without testing, you'd never know for sure, so I think you did the prudent thing by replacing it.

[8e3k0]

With the quality of oils that are out there today syntheic or not, are far superior to years previous, also todays engines run at higher temps thus resulting in less to no sludge buildup. Cat and Deere now recommends engine oil changes at 500 hours (this is considered extreme srvice). Many many years ago it was every 100 hours and max 150. So if you average 40 miles per hours for 500 hours that is 20,000 miles for those diesels on a truck. Power shifts and other trannys the duration between changes were at 2000 hours or higher. This would equate to 4 maybe 5 times the hours of engine oil changes. Good filtering, good quality oil and reasonable operation with controlled temperature parameters will give trouble free service for many years. With Automatic trannys, I have found a number of the complaints and failures coming about immediately after a service where the shops power flush the system and drive and residue and/ or filings up in the pump only to then force the debris into all bushings, beraings and seals.