Had aa really bad problem with the Excursion (2004 V-10 4WD) today and was wondering if anyone had any ideas.

Was towing home our camper (Jayco 32 TSBH - about 35' long and close to 10k) and trying to back it up the driveway. The truck was backing up a hill in the street, and the grade continued up into the driveway - not crazy steep, bu definitely uphill.

A lady that was waiting patiently for me to pull into the driveway jumps out of her car yelling "your trucks on fire" at about the same time as my 15 year old son (who was spotting for me) starts yelling "Fire!".

I threw the Ex in Park, killed the engine, and hit the Parking brake. My 10 year old son jumped out of the car, and we each got one of my 3 year old twin daughters out of the car.

The engine fire wasn't horrible, but sure scared the heck out of me, and I don't scare easily. There was an oily sheen on the wet road, and it looks like it was actually a liquid burning rather than the truck itself.

Since I had the road completely blocked, I put the car in neutral, and coasted to the side of the road (standing on the brakes, and using the TT brakes too).

A buddy of mine, who is pretty good with cars came over to take a look. I explained to him that the tranny was hot - about 7/8ths of the way to the yellow on the gauge, but not yellow yet. Engine was also hot - about 75% to the red line. I don't recall seeing it loose oil pressure.

He crawled under and had me start it briefly. Did not catch fire again,and held oil pressure. Only let it run about 15-20 seconds, but it held oil pressure. he thinks it was the rear main seal.

I am trying to find a wrecker that can put my TT into my driveway and then tow the truck - not a real easy task.

Was wondering what I might be looking forward to as far as repair costs if this is the case, and if there is anything else they should do "while they're in there". he suggested a new oil pump as long as they'd have the pan off.

Also, is there anything else it might be?

Of course this happens just a couple of months after my old (2009) TT gets stolen, having to fix the car AC, the house AC, a sprinkler system pump and some medical bills - so the timing is absolutely horrible, and then some...

Any chances of it being a less serious issue?

 

Yup. Front seal on your transmission got hot and leaked out tranny fluid. Once it cools, it's fine. You can replace with an upgraded seal sometime later if you like.

Next time, back your trailer in 4LO. It keeps your tranny cooler.

 

I agree with Ken you can fill the trans and use the ex to park the trailer and then drive it to a shop to have the seal replaced.

 

You don't even really need to replace the seal. Once it cools, it's fine. Now...if it is still leaking after a few days, THEN go get it replaced. But be aware that the tranny has to come out = $$$.

 

This also brings another point to mind...

When backing a trailer up in the situation you were in, put the truck in 4 low, THEN start backing the truck and trailer. This takes the strain off the trans (that causes it to leak) and distributes the "stress" to all four wheels instead of just two.

 

Agree with what everyone else is saying. Had the exact same thing happen to me the other day minus the fire. Truck sealed back up, no leaks since. How much stuff in the TT got slapped around when you slammed those breaks?

 

Not too much in the TT - we were going slow, less than 2-3 mph and up hill.

Appreciate all the comments on 4WD Low - hadn't heard that. Thought about it, but always heard that 4WD low on pavement was bad news. I guess it's the lesser of 2 evils.

I got the Ex towed to a dealer just to make sure it was the seal, and no other fire damage I didn't see.

 

The dealer said the rear main seal needed replaced and the radiator was damaged but that was about it. They quoted $1600. A friend referred me to a real good local shop that he and some other guys from work use, and they said that they could do the work for under a grand.

 

?????

What damage to the radiator??

Rear main?! Is it still leaking?

 

Yes, the next day after starting it up again, it started leaking after about 10 seconds.

Not too sure about the radiator myself. The engine surely would get hot prior to the incident, but nothing that looked unusual on the engine temp gauges, I am having the shop my buddy recommended give me a second opinion on that.