Hi Savagehula
When I got my 89 300e from the org owner they sold it cheap because the trans was acting up so the took the cost of the trans rebuild off the price. Took her home drop the pan the fillter was colged installed new fillter make sure its on right new pan gasket and it runs like new. You might want to try it, its not that hard just make sure you have a big pan to catch the fluid and I leave 3 or 4 bolts (loose) in the front or back and open one side of the pan so the fluid run to the drain pan if you pull it down all at once the fluid runs everywhere.
Good luck hope this helps,
Rich_ie

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1988 Ford F250 4X4 330000 motor never opened
1991 Ford F250 4X4 268000 motor never open new trans
1989 300e 202000 new top end runs like a champ
1987 190e 165000 needs fan clutch radiator tuneup