Limited wifi so I'm skipping the search and asking and will see if I get any helpful hints tomorrow. 2004 V10 excursion pulling 2014 Wildwood 32bhds tow button used not heavy on the pedal or anything abnormal or changed. Same usual payload. Same hill I've climbed several times but this time the transmission temp goes into the red. Anything simple that can be checked that would cause team my to run hot his time but not the other times? Thanks in advance.

 

Hotter weather? Clogged cooler?

 

I hope we can help you to get this sorted out, it's no fun having truck troubles while on vacation, I've been there, done that!.
First off the 4R100 trans behind the V-10 doesn't have a "Tow Button" it does have an OD lockout button, it is actually recommended to tow in OD as it helps to keep the heat down some in the trans. The exception to towing in OD is if it's shifting in/out frequently due to load or hills as that builds heat. (I'm not trying to lecture you here, just making sure everyone understands the trans functions. ) You spoke of pulling a big hill so it's understood that you were in drive when the overheat happened.
How did you handle the trans overheat? Pulling over and idling till it cools down is the best way, you should not shut it off while too hot.
Did it puke over, slip, make unusual noises, smell burnt of perform poorly during or after the overheat? How long was it in the red for? Is the dipstick showing full? Does the fluid on the dipstick smell burnt?
Do you have a trans temp gauge? If not, get one, especially if you tow. Either a stand alone gauge, scan-gauge or one of the many smartphone or tablet apps.
Back in January you posted about a shudder and vibration from the trans at 50-55 MPH when it shifted, was that ever fixxed? Still doing it? Has the trans been serviced and fluid flushed yet?
As Brent asked, how hot was the weather? (Where are you, your loacation is not filled in.) Theres no way to check the internals of your trans cooler but the outside fins can get clogged up with bugs, road dirt or mud. Check that for good air flow.
You have a pretty big TT at 36' and 11k GVW, it's within the EX's capacity and in the same range as mine at 41' and 11k, I have have only ever seen 200 degrees a couple of times towing in the East during the summer.
Did you make it to your planned destination OK? Or are you stuck somewhere?

 

Something blocking the radiator's airflow could do this, too. So could a bad trans temp sensor, and that's a common problem. If it is the sensor it usually will suddenly move to the red (sometimes to the cold) and then later jump right back to normal.

 

I checked the cooler it doesn't appear blocked but I will try and clear it before I leave. The sensor makes a little sense as I thot I saw it jump a couple times but not all the time. On flats and the rest of the drive it heated and cooled normally. I will flush when I get home.

And yes I made it to my destination after pulling off for a bit to let it cool while engine was running.

 

Enjoy the rest of your trip and good luck on the way home, keep us posted on the outcome with the trans.

 

I have tracked my trans temp religiously while towing and ran 200-220 with 14 row upgraded cooler that it got with warranty replacement at 41k. I put in a 31 row 5r100 cooler and ran up some large grades at 55 mph in the 110 degree weather running at 180. Highway OD temps are 165-170 while at 100+ ambient.

Very happy with my hour of time it took to put it in. Can't imagine how bad a 9 row would have been....

 

I was towing about 8000 lbs., 90* ambient, 60-70 mph and saw 220-230 (hottest) on my gauge. Average was around 210. I have the sensor probe in the test port. The truck has the stock cooler (2001) and an F series grille. No mods below the bumper. Trans is fresh.

I was thinking I need another or different cooler to keep temps down. Anything over 200 makes me nervous. Anything else I can do?

Edit: Im reading that the test port is not the best place to put the sensor. I may move it to the line going from the trans to the cooler to read the 'before cooling' temp.

 

The test port is the best place to put the sensor. If you want to scare yourself with high temperatures, move it to the line to the cooler. You'll probably never tow again when you see those temperatures.

Replace the factory air to oil cooler with a cooler from a 6.0L truck. Keep the radiator cooler, too. That will lower your temperatures quite a bit.

 

Thanks for the advice, I will follow.

Is this the same cooler?? They dont show a suffix but my friend at the dealership seems to think its the same. Let me know, thanks.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FO4050103-5C3Z7A095-2003-2004-FORD-PICKUP-F450-SUPERDUTY-TRANS-COOLER-ASM-6-0-E-/291173645610?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43cb4d3d2a&vxp=mtr

 

RockAuto, one of our sponsors. has a better price on these. (Dorman version) plus their 5% discount.
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TH></TH><TH>Price</TH></TR><TR style="COLOR: red"><TD id=nopartsinmarket290 style="DISPLAY: none">No parts for vehicles in selected markets.</TD></TR><TR id=table290part0 class=part0><TD class=alternate0 rowSpan=2><TABLE class=parts><TBODY><TR><TD class=left><TABLE class=layout><TBODY><TR><TD class=partlayout>DORMAN Part # 918216
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Category: Oil Cooler





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