Hey guys,

Ok, so I've recently aquired this 99 F-250 6.8l. This is our sole daily driver and will need to tow our travel trailer to the Tennessee mountains as we trek to Florida and back every year.

I've noticed that occasionally I get the wiff of burnt transmission fluid smell. Doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to when it happens. Torque converter stall seems solid at 1200 RPM consistantly, which I would also think might also speak for first gear. It feels good/solid shifting into reverse or drive and appears to shift nice and smooth. Not sure if it's a second or third gear issue, does not feel like it slips at any point in time. I have not had a load of any type on it yet. Seems to happen with overdrive on or off. There's a mechanical temp guage that tops out around 120° warm. I believe it is in-line with the outgoing cooler line.

The fluid does have a slight aroma of burnt to it. There is an inline trans filter of unknown age/origin that I intend to change as well as fluid flush and I intend to refill with Mercon V.

My question is, any thoughts on a cause? And, is this trans cooked because the occasional burnt smell? Am I just throwing money away swapping fluid/filter (on a really tight budget)? Ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Lorne

 

1200 RPM stall is about 1000 RPM low. That usually is due to low engine torque.

Are there any leaks? Any wet spots on the transmission, cooling lines, or transmission cooler?

120°F is a very, very low temperature for the outgoing cooler line. I'd expect a reading that low on the line returning from the cooler. A much better place to measure transmission temperature is in the test port on the driver's side of the transmission.

A slight burnt smell does not prove the trans is done. It does mean the fluid needs to be changed. Here is how I do it: Changing ATF.

 

Hey Mark, thanks for the reply. I thought that temp seemed low too, not 100% certain of the pickup location. Will have to shovel out and verify that. That's good info in that write up, very well written.

 

I know this doesnt help but when i changed to the 31row 6.0 cooler during the winter months my temp gauge (at test port) never breaks 120*. During the summer it hits 150ish

 

Yeah, we are currently stuck in Ohio for the remainder of the season and the temps have been cool at best. There is not an auxiliary cooler, but I do have one to install on it. I uncertain of the radiator, type/how big the cooler is...

Earlier it was asked if I have any leaks and the answer is no, there are no leaks of any kind.