Transmission overheating/dumping fluid
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 2
From: Washington state
Transmission overheating/dumping fluid
Hello,
I have a 1994 F250 4x4 / 460 / E40D and runs great while towing my 3500lb camper and 3500lb boat. When I drive over steep grades on the freeway (Washington state mountain passes) the transmission will overheat and begin dumping fluid until it cools down (7-8 qts) and then reseals itself.
As I need to drive over these passes tomorrow, I am wondering if I drive in 2nd gear at 3500-4000 rpm if the trans will fare much better? I have zero problems when towing otherwise. Any/all responses are appreciated.
I have a 1994 F250 4x4 / 460 / E40D and runs great while towing my 3500lb camper and 3500lb boat. When I drive over steep grades on the freeway (Washington state mountain passes) the transmission will overheat and begin dumping fluid until it cools down (7-8 qts) and then reseals itself.
As I need to drive over these passes tomorrow, I am wondering if I drive in 2nd gear at 3500-4000 rpm if the trans will fare much better? I have zero problems when towing otherwise. Any/all responses are appreciated.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
The E4OD will over heat with an unlocked TC.
Most heat is generated by the TC.
When the E4OD over heats the transmission fluid will come out the vent on top of the transmission.
It does not reseals itself.
Most heat is generated by the TC.
When the E4OD over heats the transmission fluid will come out the vent on top of the transmission.
It does not reseals itself.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 735
Likes: 8
From: NC
I would suggest an external transmission cooler. I drove from Arkansas to Eastern North Carolina towing a heavily loaded trailer and truck bed loaded through all the mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina and never had an issue, I attribute it to the external transmission cooler I installed.
If you install one I would also suggest installing an inline magnetic filter on the return side. Can't hurt.
If you install one I would also suggest installing an inline magnetic filter on the return side. Can't hurt.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 2
From: Washington state
I would suggest an external transmission cooler. I drove from Arkansas to Eastern North Carolina towing a heavily loaded trailer and truck bed loaded through all the mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina and never had an issue, I attribute it to the external transmission cooler I installed.
If you install one I would also suggest installing an inline magnetic filter on the return side. Can't hurt.
If you install one I would also suggest installing an inline magnetic filter on the return side. Can't hurt.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 2
From: Washington state
Thanks. I'm gonna try this method and just put up the hills at 40mph and hope it holds the fluid.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 2
From: Washington state
Well I'm not tranny expert but this has happened to me 3 times now. I was told there is a valve where this opens up (on the bottom) and yes, it seals itself back up when it cools down.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 89
From: MD
Oil coming out of the bell housing? The front seal will leak when fluid temps get high, at least thats what I've read on here,never have had that happen to me. Something is wrong though, your truck should be abe to tow 3500lbs like it's not even there.Or is that 7000lbs?..still should do it,no prob.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Easton,Ks
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Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,725
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From: SE Florida
Whoever told you that doesn't know his transmission from a hole in the ground. There is no such valve. There is a seal that gets soft when it gets too hot. When it has been softened it can't hold and it leaks. Once it cools down it will seal again.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 632
Likes: 40
It seems unusual (based on my limited experience) for an E4OD trans to spend any time at all with converter unlocked. My 92 F250 4x4 460 rarely unlocks converter for any length of time even pulling an 11K pound boat. Pretty much goes from OD lock to 3rd and converter locks almost immediately on a downshift, even under heavy load. Same on upshift.
This was actually something I didn't like on a 96 Bronco I had with a 351/E4OD. Compared to same year GM 5.7/4L60E. The GM powertrain management would allow the trans to unlock converter first while still in O/D, and then downshift if needed. The E4OD would pretty much go from O/D with converter locked straight to 3rd with unlock/lock only ocurring briefly during actual gear change.
I actually looked into the possibility of programming change (I was thinking handheld tuner) for the E4OD but abandoned that idea completely when the answers I got had to do with "changing binary code". LOL.
This was actually something I didn't like on a 96 Bronco I had with a 351/E4OD. Compared to same year GM 5.7/4L60E. The GM powertrain management would allow the trans to unlock converter first while still in O/D, and then downshift if needed. The E4OD would pretty much go from O/D with converter locked straight to 3rd with unlock/lock only ocurring briefly during actual gear change.
I actually looked into the possibility of programming change (I was thinking handheld tuner) for the E4OD but abandoned that idea completely when the answers I got had to do with "changing binary code". LOL.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Easton,Ks
The TC should be unlocked below about 42 MPH in any gear selection.
So was guessing he would be in third gear below 42 MPH with the selector in OD.
So I posted the Hydraulic Flow to match that condition.
So was guessing he would be in third gear below 42 MPH with the selector in OD.
So I posted the Hydraulic Flow to match that condition.