Message Center "power reduced to lower temp"

[Buckholz]

or something close to that. Towing 9,000lb travel trailer with 4 dirtbikes in the bed up a pass from 7000' to 9000', 6.2L 3.73 '11 early model F350 running 91 octane fuel. Was in 2nd gear, WOT, about 5800rpm for about 10 minutes, watched the temp gauges on both tranny and coolant climb, but never entered red zone. Fan clutch cycled on for about a minute or so prior to the warning. Right as I crested the summit, the warning appeared, and I was rolling off the throttle anyway. My fan clutch does a weird wowowing noise, not like previous diesel fords. Headed in on Thur for the transmission update. Wonder if the powertrain flash will affect this potential overheating performance? Anyone else towing heaving and high elevation seen this warning? Truck still runs super, very happy. Tows great, fuel economy down roughly 25% from my ol' 6.0L diesel, but love the gasser....

[Sargemo105]

No. I just got back from a CO trip where I pulled my 9200lb TT over 10,000 Wolf Pass. I had to go to M and shift between 1 & 2 to maintain a 30mph pace. I didn't let my rpm's exceed 5000. My signature doesn't show up on posts from my phone, but I too have the 3.73's.

[2000silverbullet]

I wouldn't expect the trans TSB to correct anything heat related. If you were saying you were having issues shifting into 3rd then I could maybe see the TSB correcting it, but it sounds like gravity's talons were dug deep into your trailer!

I went through a similar situation in my '00 when I moved out to PA from Phx. I was dragging an overloaded U-haul trailer with my truck (37" tires and 3.73 gears) up along the Mogollon Rim. My truck was wrapped out in 1st gear, just had the pedal mashed for about the same length of time you did. "Back then" though, you didn't have any dash messaging, you waited for the idiot gauge to instantly peg or the trans to blow up.

Ah the good ol' days!

[fordmdb]

This is just Fords way of reducing power (rpms) when oil / coolant temp rises. Sounds like it was working perfectly.

Heres a couple of tables out of a max rev limiter section on a 6.2L strategy.

oil temp - rpms max allowed
400f- 4499
300f- 4500
200f- 5000
100f- 5550
under 100f- 5850

coolant temp-rpms max allowed
297 - 4499
293 - 4500
287- 5000
284- 5500
280- 5850

[2000silverbullet]

Too bad the gauge screen doesnt give us anymore than the trans temp. That's good info though Mike.

[RadRick]

I read about this in the owner's manual when the 2011's first came out. It states that both the 6.2 and 6.7 have a feature that reduces power under certain high load conditions to protect the engine, but not on the 6.8. The manual gives the impression it would be normal for this to happen frequently, but you are the first person I've heard make mention of it.

[Krewat]

I think we have a winner here for an entry in the 6.2L tech folder

Posted a link to this thread in the Tech folder suggestions thread. GREAT INFO Mike!

Reps sent.

[Buckholz]

Super info Mike. Thanks!

Anyone else that has gotten their SD hot enough, does your fan clutch cycle in and out rapidly, a wowowing noise instead of a constant blower noise once the engine management software says engage the fan?

[DirtEngineer]

I've hauled my 8000lb TT up some steep grades, and had the engine running at 5000+rpm, but never for this long. Never had the power-down issue yet either. However, I have heard the fan clutch engage, but no cycling. Just fires up for a couple minutes, then shuts down. Also, no noises that caught me off guard either.

[Buckholz]

Radiator and AC condenser pretty plugged with bugs, pressure washed. Hope that helps for my next tow. Plus I had TSB 110611 performed to update tranny. Will report.

[jimlightner]

Any experience with oversized transmission pan? Mag Hytec or other? they add a gallon of fluid capacity, and have deep fins inside and out. They are supposed to drop temps under load. experience?