2001 F-350 7.3L w/ automatic trans 42 kmi (not a typo. Yes, the truck has 42 thousand miles on it). towing a 26 ft enclosed car hauler hitch mount trailer.

I checked the transmission fluid and it's a little low. Still showing on the dipstick and looks clean and doesn't smell burnt, but just not in the operating range. I checked it with the truck idling. That's what I understand is correct for automatics. This is the first automatic transmission vehicle I've owned/maintained.

I'm guessing the original fluid is probably in it with that mileage. The trans temp gauge that was part of the Banks turbo kit installed before I bought the truck never gets much above 140 F.

What should I top it off with? I don't know much about ATF. I pretty much always go with Synthetic fluids as it seems like cheap insurance. I'll probably do a fluid change soon, but have a long road trip later this week and don't have time to do it before.

Thanks in advance.

 

i would change the fluid . sitting that long condensation has built up and water kills the clutches

 

Full Flush with MerconV. I used Supertech from Walmart as it was the least expensive.

Here is a link with a how to:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...and-video.html

 

Ok, Well you all have sufficiently frightened me, and I don't have time to do it myself. So I'm going to just have the dealer flush and change the fluid.

 

I only use Mercon V on both my trucks. I would flushnit for sure. Low mileage is awesome but flush it anyway. At least do a drain and refill. Your truck may have a torque converter drain plug. I know my 99 did not sure of 01s have it

 

My 2000 didn't. Not sure when they quit that nice little feature.

 

My uncle is a Ford shop foreman at a dealer and a ford transmission guy for 40 years. He did the services on the truck and I was with him. He replaced the torque converter because it was making noise. It quieted the truck down a lot. He said the 7.3 isn’t too loud. What makes it loud is the torque converter noise. I can actually have the truck running and have a conversation outside next to the front end .

 

Oh it will get hotter than that towing your loaded car trailer around. I would use Redline Hi-Temp ATF or maybe Amsoil's equivalent. I would service the rear end also at that age and mileage and maybe consider an aluminum cover.

 

I would suggest you add a 6.0 trans cooler. I would remount the old one and use it as a power steering cooler

 

Make sure you're checking the level when fully warmed up. If it wasn't that could explain it being a little low, the level will rise a fair bit when hot.

 

Torque converter drain plugs were deleted shortly after the start of the 2002 model year.

 

Only in the 140 F range when towing a loaded 26ft enclosed car hauler about 60-65 mph across south Florida this last weekend (mid late September, so fairly hot ambient temp). So maybe the gauge isn't working properly? It's part of the Banks kit. A trans cooler may also have been part of the kit. I'll have to check. Anyway, I just had the dealership do it with whatever synthetic ATF they use. I might tackle it myself next time and likely go with Amsoil.

 

Where are you measuring the temperature?

 

Sounds low to me considering the probably around 7-8,000 lbs extra weight behind you. That is enough to get everything hot-hot running 65 mph in moderately high ambient temps in relatively short order. I would expect to see it up at least in the 180's or 190's even with the best cooler you could get.

 

I don't know where the temp is taken. The gauge is part of the Banks kit, so I don't know if it uses a stock temp source if there is one. That's a good question. How do you guys know your trans temp? Is there a stock gauge or readout?