Hello guys. I'm a new Ex owner. I purchased my Ex earlier this spring. It's great for the big family and towing our big camper. Here are some details; Camper weighs about 9k lbs when loaded. I have a 01 Limited Ex, 2wd, v-10, 4r100 tranny, temp gauge installed in factory test port. I have a good Hensley Hitch and bags to level my ride.

Here's the issue. I've been towing around flat areas and see about average 178 degrees. I went through the PA mountains from Ohio over to Gettysburg. On the way there it was literally through tunnels on the turnpike. Sometimes bigger hills slowing me way down. Temps no higher than 198. On the way back google had me going up and over a couple of big ones. Temps were up to 215 and just at the peak I had to pull off because of smoke and flames. I'm thinking too much fluid was in the tranny from the last owner. Fluid spewing out of the top of the vent and down on top of the hot exhaust and ignited. Sure brought new meaning of Chinese fire drill to evacuate wife and kids.

So after much fluid loss, I thought I busted a seal. But here 1 month later, a couple more camping trips around home and no more fluid loss. After checking fluid level the right way (tranny warmed up, on level ground, in neutral with e-brake), It's still reading above the hash marks.

Do I need to just drain some excess off and problem solved? Will that start to raise Tranny temps? I heard these factory coolers aren't the best.

Any input would help. Thank you!

 

You probably still have the stock V10 aux transmission cooler in front of the AC condenser.
The stock V10 cooler does not provide enough cooling for a heavy trailer, especially up winding hills under 40mph.
Checkout the 5R110 cooler which has 1/2" tubing and mounts in the same location.
I'm running the Dorman 918-216 cooler which is an aftermarket equivalent.
You'll need a couple of 3/8" x 1/2" hose adapters and some 1/2" trans hose, but it's a fairly easy upgrade.

 

We bought ours about 1 1/2 years ago to tow our 7k TH.
Besides the trans cooler upgrade I also installed F250 rear leafs to better handle the weight.
Do you have a rear anti-roll bar?
The Ex did not come with one even though the F250 did.
Hellwig has a nice set of heavy duty bars that make a large improvement in vehicle handling, especially towing.
Be sure to upgrade to load range E tires.
Checkout the V10 exhaust Y-pipe.
Ford has an aluminum rear diff cover they started using in 2008, which they wouldn't have used for no reason.
Be sure to change or retorque the spark plugs at 50k.

 

Yes, just drain the excess off and you'll be fine. Even at 215* the transmission shouldn't be dumping fluid out of the vent unless it is waaaaay overfilled.

Be Good!