Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

4r100 overheating

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 11:40 AM
  #1  
Jaroniles's Avatar
Jaroniles
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
4r100 overheating

I have a 2002 7.3 4x4 cc and the trans gets hot just driving around town not towing. I put a second cooler on it, I took the in line from the back of the trans of the passenger side and put it one side of the cooler let it run through the cooler and connected the underside of the cooler back up to the line. I changed the fluid about two weeks ago. Last night I was driving it for about a half hour and it wasn't overheating but as soon as I got into my neighborhood I turned the ac on full blast and before I got to my house the trans started to get hot. I'm not sure if that's related or not.And when I say hot I mean almost to the yellow and if I keep driving it, it will get up to the yellow. I'm stumped. I was reading about the bypass valve, but mark said in another post that's very unlikely. So if you guys have any ideas on what I should do, shoot.
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 01:06 PM
  #2  
DND58's Avatar
DND58
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 870
Likes: 9
From: Carbondale, CO
I would start with checking flow rates per the attached link below.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post12797931

Not sure if this is how you changed your fluid, but attached is a thread using Mark's (transmission engineer) procedure. Good luck.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...and-video.html
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 01:11 PM
  #3  
HKusp's Avatar
HKusp
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,760
Likes: 27
From: Hampton, Maryland.
Club FTE Gold Member
John Woods is a big believer in removing the bypass. I know he has a specially machined piece to replace it with. I believe you can pull the bypass and test it with compressed air to see if it is actuating too early. If I recall correctly it should take between 55 and 60 PSI before it bypasses. If it is much lower than that, you have found your problem. At that point you can choose to either replace it with a new one or go with the delete kit that john woods sells.
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 01:16 PM
  #4  
twg1966's Avatar
twg1966
Trying to Gain Knowledge
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 2
From: Ezzell, TX
Club FTE Silver Member

I was having similar issues. I removed all coolers from the system, then installed a 6.0 cooler as my only transmission cooler and it has knocked my temps from an average of 210 down to around 160-170 depending upon ambient temperature. Not saying that is your case, but it is what I had to do to mine to get temps back down.

Ted
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 01:36 PM
  #5  
Jaroniles's Avatar
Jaroniles
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I'm almost positive my truck already has the 6.0 cooler, I talked to a transmission mechanic in my town, the one who gave me the other cooler to install and he told me to bypass the radiatior and just run that and the other cooler. I wasn't sure how to do that so I just ran the other cooler in series with the cooler that was on the truck
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 01:48 PM
  #6  
timmyboy76's Avatar
timmyboy76
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,793
Likes: 50
I wouldn't give anymore of my hard earned dough to that mechanic, after that advise...
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 01:52 PM
  #7  
Jaroniles's Avatar
Jaroniles
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
So I'm trying to see if you guys think the ac has anything to do with the problem?
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 02:17 PM
  #8  
aawlberninf350's Avatar
aawlberninf350
It's a Van Gogh
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Liked
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,813
Likes: 1,335
From: Elk Grove, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by Jaroniles
So I'm trying to see if you guys think the ac has anything to do with the problem?
Maybe if the new trans cooler is mounted directly on the surface of the AC condenser it would absorb heat from it. Otherwise I doubt it.

2nd trans coolers are generally bad. They allow pressure drop and if an old school tube and fin variety, are not that effective.

Best set up is to delete the stock 7.3 cooler, replace with a 6.0 cooler (26 row or 31 row basically equal), plus the trans cooler line in the radiator. The radiator cooling is substantial, get that hooked up again. This configuration will take anything you can throw at it.

Then do a flow test as mentioned above and go from there.

If you are going by the trans dash gauge, it is slow to react and basically designed to keep the driver calm. If it shows hot then it got seriously hot my friend. How's the fluid look and smell?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 02:25 PM
  #9  
DND58's Avatar
DND58
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 870
Likes: 9
From: Carbondale, CO
Originally Posted by Jaroniles
I'm almost positive my truck already has the 6.0 cooler, I talked to a transmission mechanic in my town, the one who gave me the other cooler to install and he told me to bypass the radiatior and just run that and the other cooler. I wasn't sure how to do that so I just ran the other cooler in series with the cooler that was on the truck
So 2002 has cooler line in radiator and small oil to air cooler.

Are you saying the small oil to air was replaced by 6.0 cooler, and you have now added another? 2 additional coolers and the trans cooling?
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 02:30 PM
  #10  
Jaroniles's Avatar
Jaroniles
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by DND58
So 2002 has cooler line in radiator and small oil to air cooler.

Are you saying the small oil to air was replaced by 6.0 cooler, and you have now added another? 2 additional coolers and the trans cooling?

The stock was replaced with 6.0, and I added one cooler in line with that
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 02:33 PM
  #11  
Jaroniles's Avatar
Jaroniles
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by aawlberninf350
Maybe if the new trans cooler is mounted directly on the surface of the AC condenser it would absorb heat from it. Otherwise I doubt it.

2nd trans coolers are generally bad. They allow pressure drop and if an old school tube and fin variety, are not that effective.

Best set up is to delete the stock 7.3 cooler, replace with a 6.0 cooler (26 row or 31 row basically equal), plus the trans cooler line in the radiator. The radiator cooling is substantial, get that hooked up again. This configuration will take anything you can throw at it.

Then do a flow test as mentioned above and go from there.

If you are going by the trans dash gauge, it is slow to react and basically designed to keep the driver calm. If it shows hot then it got seriously hot my friend. How's the fluid look and smell?
Fluid is red and doesn't smell burnt, did the flow test, I disconnected the rubber line from the metal half of the feed line and did it that way, it barely put any fluid from the line in 15 seconds, and a lot of fluid shot out of the metal pipe from the trans, so what's this all mean?
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 02:52 PM
  #12  
Mark Kovalsky's Avatar
Mark Kovalsky
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,739
Likes: 2,669
From: SE Florida
It means either that there is a restriction in the cooler circuit, or that the cooler bypass on the side of the trans has failed. A rebuild for the bypass is very inexpensive and easy to install.
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 03:00 PM
  #13  
Jaroniles's Avatar
Jaroniles
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky
It means either that there is a restriction in the cooler circuit, or that the cooler bypass on the side of the trans has failed. A rebuild for the bypass is very inexpensive and easy to install.
Mark you're just the guy I was waiting to post, so I should rebuild the bypass valve and I should flush the lines too because there is most likely a blockage right?
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 07:00 PM
  #14  
schlepprock250's Avatar
schlepprock250
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 19
From: Archdale,N.C.
Club FTE Silver Member

Based on "my" transmission experience if you have a 6.0 cooler you shouldn't need an additional cooler. I tow a 38' 11,000lb TT and with ambient temps in the 90s my trans temp stays at 160 to 165 with a 6.0 cooler.
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 08:52 PM
  #15  
Mark Kovalsky's Avatar
Mark Kovalsky
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,739
Likes: 2,669
From: SE Florida
Originally Posted by Jaroniles
Mark you're just the guy I was waiting to post, so I should rebuild the bypass valve and I should flush the lines too because there is most likely a blockage right?
That sounds like a good plan.
Originally Posted by schlepprock250
Based on "my" transmission experience if you have a 6.0 cooler you shouldn't need an additional cooler. I tow a 38' 11,000lb TT and with ambient temps in the 90s my trans temp stays at 160 to 165 with a 6.0 cooler.
Based on "my" transmission experience you need the radiator cooler.

If you get stuck in stop and go traffic, or climb a steep grade at a low speed, or have to back your trailer uphill the air to oil cooler isn't going to do much for you. Going down the road it will be fine by itself. Get into one of the situations I just named and you'll wish you had a radiator cooler.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:27 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE