Tranmission Threwup
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Tranmission Threwup
Do Ford transmissions have a pressure relief or blow by valve?
1999 F550 7.3 PSD
Crew Cab daullie
Automatic overdrive Trans - no temp guage
5.38 rear
125,000 plus miles
80 plus degree day driving Goshen, IN to Columbus, OH pulling a 36" Fifth wheel Carriage trailer (loaded). Backed into camp site. Got out of truck to see if I needed to make any adjustment and saw a red puddle at my feet (not discolored or burnt smelling). I finish setuping the trailer and unhooked it from the truck. Before shutting down truck checked fluid level - nothing on dip stick. It took 3 quarts to top off, and no leaks yet.
I'm guessing over heated. Fan not moving enough air to keep trans cool.
The neighbor said his trans in a F350 headed for the red zone, while keeping his wife cool, while he checked out a yard sale.
Any thoughts.
Thanks Gene
1999 F550 7.3 PSD
Crew Cab daullie
Automatic overdrive Trans - no temp guage
5.38 rear
125,000 plus miles
80 plus degree day driving Goshen, IN to Columbus, OH pulling a 36" Fifth wheel Carriage trailer (loaded). Backed into camp site. Got out of truck to see if I needed to make any adjustment and saw a red puddle at my feet (not discolored or burnt smelling). I finish setuping the trailer and unhooked it from the truck. Before shutting down truck checked fluid level - nothing on dip stick. It took 3 quarts to top off, and no leaks yet.
I'm guessing over heated. Fan not moving enough air to keep trans cool.
The neighbor said his trans in a F350 headed for the red zone, while keeping his wife cool, while he checked out a yard sale.
Any thoughts.
Thanks Gene
Last edited by Eugene Reed; Jul 21, 2006 at 04:18 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
First you need to find where it came out of ,more than likely the front pump seal or torque converter seal.
If you tow often get the biggest tranny cooler you can find and get a guage in the beast.
Question is has the tranny ever been serviced ?
Time to see the tranny man.
Rich
If you tow often get the biggest tranny cooler you can find and get a guage in the beast.
Question is has the tranny ever been serviced ?
Time to see the tranny man.
Rich
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
It did not come from the pump seal, nor did it come from the converter seal. (it would leak all of the time) My SD does this from time to time when it gets hot. Letting the tranny get hot is a sure way to bring a pre-mature death to it. The source of your problem is heat related, and the fluid is coming from the vent at the top of the tranny. Have you blown up that tranny yet? Keep it cool, larger pan, bigger cooler, fresh fluids, or it won't be long. Some guys get really lucky, and their stuff runs, and runs. Then there are guys the guys that tow really big stuff. Try to keep it cool. During your next service, consider installing a trans temp gauge so you can see exactly how hot it really is.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Thanks for the reply.
The fluid appeared to have come out of the small hole in the inspection cover. The fluild was flushed and changed at 85000 miles. The truck is headed to the shop for front and rear brakes, we'll have them check the transmission at the same time.
This is was my Dads third Ford in 18 + years of full time RV'ing (All going over 150,000 miles and all stock Fords no mods). This one was his first Diesel and the only one that could handle the loads. He often wonder why they could have built them 20 years ago.
I'll let you know what the shop find.
Thanks Gene
The fluid appeared to have come out of the small hole in the inspection cover. The fluild was flushed and changed at 85000 miles. The truck is headed to the shop for front and rear brakes, we'll have them check the transmission at the same time.
This is was my Dads third Ford in 18 + years of full time RV'ing (All going over 150,000 miles and all stock Fords no mods). This one was his first Diesel and the only one that could handle the loads. He often wonder why they could have built them 20 years ago.
I'll let you know what the shop find.
Thanks Gene
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by 75F350
It did not come from the pump seal, nor did it come from the converter seal. (it would leak all of the time)
The factory seal will get soft and relax when it's overheated. Then it leaks, sometimes A LOT of fluid! Once it cools it hardens again and will seal, until the next overheat.
If it is overheated enough times it will fail and need to be replaced. The aftermarket has better seals that won't do this.
'99 and '00 trucks built before 2-00 only have an air to oil (sometimes called an aux) cooler. There wasn't one in the radiator. This caused overheating in low speed situations, especially backing (though I wouldn't expect the original poster to have a problem backing a 36 inch trailer! " means inch, ' means foot.
)If you add more trans cooling you probably won't see this again. A trans cooler from a 6.0L truck is a good selection. Without the radiator cooler you still may need to add an electric fan for backing. Anoher good solution is to change the radiator for one that has a cooler.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
Casey, I do agree that the converter can leak in some conditions, however, given the circumstances, I feel that the failing seal would have filled the inspecrion cover to the point that it would have given the impression of a leaky trans. That being said, the converter itself would have accumulated a fair amount of fluid on it, and later dripped more fluid indicating a leak again. There was no mention of this, nor a mention of the trans leaking while pulling the trailer. (Thin film of oil on the leading edges of the trailer, or trailing edges of the truck.) I am not ruling out the possibility of the converter seal leaking, but I have isolated my trans problems by extending the vent with a section of hose, and confirmed this to be the source.
Either way, there could be some reliable information here. The bottom line is, the tranny got hot, and it did not kike it. they never do. Keep it cool, that much everyone can agreee on.
Either way, there could be some reliable information here. The bottom line is, the tranny got hot, and it did not kike it. they never do. Keep it cool, that much everyone can agreee on.
