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2003 excursion trans problem please help!

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Old Jul 17, 2014 | 10:07 PM
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2003 excursion trans problem please help!

i just got my 2003 excursion v-10 gas and its bad *** but when I'm towing my camper it weighs 8500 lbs empty and I'm trying to back it up on the beach the tranny ( when I'm in reverse ) starts spitting trans fluid out the vent on top ! went on fire twice ! the trans temp gauge never gets hot tho and other than that it works perfect, i was told this was a big problem ? idk please help !
 
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Old Jul 18, 2014 | 05:22 PM
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From: ramsey mn
About the help I have here is drop it in low range to help relieve the stress on it as far as it being an issue?????
 
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Old Jul 18, 2014 | 05:34 PM
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i tried that and the same thing , i t happens literally in 5-10 minutes, are there any upgrades anyone knows of ?a friend of mine at ford said it was a big issue when they came out and they almost filed a class action lawsuit against ford
 
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Old Jul 18, 2014 | 07:28 PM
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5-10 minutes of backing up a trailer in sand is outrageous abuse! I wouldn't expect a "clews action lawsuit" to be successful.

Putting the truck in 4x4 low will lower the stress on the transmission and torque converter by a factor of 2.7:1. That will make a BIG difference.

Have you actually seen fluid come out of the vent on top? It would surprise me if that really happened. I've had these transmissions over 300F and never had fluid come out of the vent. I think what really happened is that you got the torque converter so hot with that abuse that the torque converter hub seal got soft and fluid leaked past this seal.
 
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Old Jul 18, 2014 | 07:39 PM
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yes it happened twice and both times th fluid shot out of the vent tube, the gauge never ran hot at all tho , any thoughts of what i should do? truck has only 73k on it
 
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Old Jul 18, 2014 | 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky
5-10 minutes of backing up a trailer in sand is outrageous abuse! I wouldn't expect a "clews action lawsuit" to be successful.

Putting the truck in 4x4 low will lower the stress on the transmission and torque converter by a factor of 2.7:1. That will make a BIG difference.

Have you actually seen fluid come out of the vent on top? It would surprise me if that really happened. I've had these transmissions over 300F and never had fluid come out of the vent. I think what really happened is that you got the torque converter so hot with that abuse that the torque converter hub seal got soft and fluid leaked past this seal.
Not trying to hijack this thread, but I have to ask a question here....
Mark, can you explain "why" the hard work in Reverse is more abusive than the same work in Drive? I know I have gone a long time pulling heavy in Drive (not in sand mind you) and never had a problem. What is different inside the tranny when using Reverse, or is it the "sand" part? Just curious.

Thanks,
James
 
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Old Jul 18, 2014 | 08:23 PM
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in drive its totally fine n powerful just messes up in reverse
 
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Old Jul 18, 2014 | 11:53 PM
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There's no cooling being done to the fluid in reverse, is one reason.

Stewart
 
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Old Jul 19, 2014 | 12:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Stewart_H
There's no cooling being done to the fluid in reverse, is one reason.

Stewart
Are you sure about that? Reverse is just an internal function caused by re-directed oil through the valve body in order to apply reverse clutches or bands (depending on the transmission.) Also by the time it would heat due to that the reversing would be over with.
 
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Old Jul 19, 2014 | 12:07 AM
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Originally Posted by DSN46
Not trying to hijack this thread, but I have to ask a question here....
Mark, can you explain "why" the hard work in Reverse is more abusive than the same work in Drive? I know I have gone a long time pulling heavy in Drive (not in sand mind you) and never had a problem. What is different inside the tranny when using Reverse, or is it the "sand" part? Just curious.

Thanks,
James
Not Mark but I used to rebuild them. In reverse there is more oil pressure in many automatics to accomplish the reverse function. The front seal is right in front of the main oil pump (front pump) and probably is subjected to more pressure. There were trans years ago that cracked cases due to the high reverse pressure.
I think Mark was talking about any driving in sand with a trailer.
 
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Old Jul 19, 2014 | 12:22 AM
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Originally Posted by EXv10
Are you sure about that?
Yes, I'm sure.

There is more heat being generated than there is cooling being done. Since cooling means a reduction of temperature, yes I am sure there is no cooling being done to the fluid in reverse, as described in this situation.

Stewart
 
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Old Jul 19, 2014 | 12:26 AM
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Originally Posted by EXv10
Are you sure about that? Reverse is just an internal function caused by re-directed oil through the valve body in order to apply reverse clutches or bands (depending on the transmission.) Also by the time it would heat due to that the reversing would be over with.
You edited your post and added to it (everything in bold) after I already started posting my above response, so, to respond specifically to the last sentence, what you've posted is wrong.

A 5 to 10 minute reverse in sand with a camper that weighs 8500lbs (the topic this whole thread is about) would definitely heat the fluid before the reversing is over, as you claim.

Stewart
 

Last edited by Stewart_H; Jul 19, 2014 at 01:01 AM.
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Old Jul 19, 2014 | 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Stewart_H
You edited your post and added to it (everything in bold) after I already started posting my above response, so, to respond specifically to the last sentence, what you've posted is wrong.

A 5 to 10 minute reverse in sand with a camper that weighs 8500lbs (the topic this whole thread is about) would definitely heat the fluid before the reversing is over, as you claim.

Stewart
Of course and I never disputed that...........it's a no brainer, but the cooling (if there is any) doesn't change in reverse. Maybe Mark will chime in. Pulling a camper in sand would quickly heat up even in forward..,,,,,
 
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Old Jul 19, 2014 | 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by EXv10
Of course and I never disputed that...........it's a no brainer, but the cooling (if there is any) doesn't change in reverse. Maybe Mark will chime in. Pulling a camper in sand would quickly heat up even in forward..,,,,,




Stewart
 
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Old Jul 19, 2014 | 12:02 PM
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ok since I'm the one who has the problem ill enlighten you all, the trans temp never goes above normal range ever, the only time it has happened is in reverse, the tranny has a trans cooler on it as well, does anyone have any idea of how to cure this problem ? change fluid ? torque converter seal ? anything ill try besides this the truck is great
 
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