Media | Articles
Piston Slap: Did An O-Ring Sideline A Ford Super Duty?
David writes:
Hello there, I appear to have a seasonal issue with my 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty XLT 4×4. During warmer months, when it’s 50 degrees and above, my transmission engages just fine and doesn’t slip. Now, during the winter months, not so much. If I don’t run my truck for at least 20 minutes, it will not shift into ANY gear. If I’m close to that time, I can rev the engine and it will engage. However, it will slip out once in a while. Again, once it is warmed up, it works like a champ. Thoughts?
Sajeev answers:
Hi David, this is either a very affordable or terribly expensive fix, and it depends on the condition of your Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) and the miles accumulated on the transmission. Sometimes, the only way to fix a transmission is to take it apart and rebuild everything, but there’s a very good chance that a transmission fluid and filter change will likely cure what ails ya.
The filter is key here. While the 6R140 transmission in your Super Duty behaves like any autobox relative to its age and the condition of its ATF, there is an issue with an undersized O-ring on some filters. And that size mismatch means the filter does not seal to the transmission when cold, only providing ATF after it warms up, expands, and makes a proper seal.
When you combine this issue with the fact that ATF (and most every oil) thickens as it gets colder, your problem makes a lot more sense. So I recommend one of two options:
- Replace the transmission fluid and filter, using the correct ATF along with a filter with the good O-ring.
- Replace the filter but save the old fluid, because sometimes transmissions are too worn out internally to use fresh fluid.
Get a new Motorcraft filter from Ford or an authorized reseller. (Watch out for fakes that are sold online.) It appears that Ford never changed the design of this filter, so odds are they never had a problem. If the Motorcraft filter isn’t easy to get, do a “transmission jobber near me” search to get expert help procuring one of the same quality. From there, deciding between these two options requires knowledge like the Super Duty’s mileage, service history, and current condition of fluid. Once you know all of this, make your decision, because it will be an informed one.
I am uncomfortable with armchair quarterbacking a specific answer for this Super Duty, as I am with most transmission concerns. But that shouldn’t stop readers of Hagerty Media from doing so in the comments, so tell us what you think below!
Have a question you’d like answered on Piston Slap? Send your queries to pistonslap@hagerty.com—give us as much detail as possible so we can help! Keep in mind this is a weekly column, so if you need an expedited answer, please tell me in your email.
Built Ford Tough (except when it’s cold outside)…?
Sorry but I’ve got no input to help, other than listen to Sajeev, as he’s the Fordiest guy I know.
Sounds more like Chevy.
Like a Rock.
It just sits there and don’t move no how.
I’ve had em all. Our 91 Toyota Camry with a fancy L badge on it leaked more oil than anything American I’ve ever owned. Had an 03 Explorer who’s transmission went Out like everyone else’s. A GMC K2500 with 230k miles. Honda dirt bikes, a Nissan Frontier.
Everything turns into a pumpkin if you don’t do the maintenance.
Every single brand out there is junk if it isn’t taken care of!
Drive what you love and take good care of it
This appears to have a specific cause and a little bit different issue, but I have had a TH400 or 700R4 or two that didn’t like to shift when cold
My old C6 transmission exhibits the delay in shifting out of park when it’s cold outside if the oil is a little low. It has a small but consistent leak that hasn’t bothered me, I just know it’s time to add some fluid when it starts delaying shifting into gear.
I learn something every time I check in with this group. I will add “Fordiest” to my list of appropriate adjectives. I damn near spit my morning cuppa laughing at that. To the trans problem, it almost sounds like low or very old fluid. Of all diagnostics concerning auto transmissions to me it is always cheapest to pull off the pan and change the filter and fluid. Doesn’t the Ford have a drain plug on the torque converter? If so he can start from scratch and put all new from stem to stern. At least if it doesn’t help you have already done the first step. I once did a ZF and found a pump upgrade that was easily doable had reasonable cost. Changed everything for about $200. It’s worth a try.
I learn something every time I write these articles. Thank you for contributing, because yes, figuring out if there’s a drain plug in the torque converter is a good idea.