Wondering is anyone has any advice?

I've had a 2008 F250 diesel 4Wd, with no problems until this week. Just turned over 6,000 miles on it, and I take exceptional care. Not driven to work, and always garaged.

This weekend, took the boat to the lake, and noticed a shudder in the transmission. When got ready to pull the boat out, I could hardly get the truck to move. Finally made it up the ramp, and headed home. Within a few miles, the service wrench came on, and the check engine light was on.

Took it to the dealer and they called after 4 days. Told me that I had water in the transmission, and would need a new trans. Since it was water, I'd have to pay for it. My reply was respectful but that the tires don't even need to be in the water to launch the boat. It has never been in water.

I met with the service manager, and he showed me the dipstick. The oil looked fine, but he said there was brown residue on the metal that indicated water. I told them that when the truck went in the shop, I wanted a sample of the fluid from the transmission so I could have it analyzed.

NO WAY I CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. Any advice?

 

guess you could call the ford cust svc dept. Don't that you could prove it unless you do a sample or have any pics to back up how you load and unload.

what about your car insurance?

 

Hell no they are trying to pull a fast one on you! They have to prove that by you backing the boat in the water caused this problem. Maybe it did maybe it didnt but they still have to prove it.

 

I tried Ford Customer Service, and they referred me back to the dealer, saying a Ford Rep was a "dealer resource", and that they had not had a chance to completely diagnose the problem.

With that long wheelbase, and long trailer I have, I don't even get close to water. I'm old fashioned, but I refuse to file a claim on my insurance for something I KNOW DID NOT happen. Guess it may be a long battle.

The trans fluid looked brand new. Was not milky at all, as would have been expected. Pretty frustrating to have a 45K truck sitting at the shop with the trans out, and saying I did something. Guess I'll wait for their final answer, and for the Ford Rep to call...

 

I can't see how you would get water in the transmission fluid unless you put the whole dang truck under water!! Is there any sort of vent off that transmission? Everything has to be sealed except tight except for the dip stick and maybe a separate vent line if it would have it right? It sounds to me they are trying to pull one on you. I would call a transmission shop and ask them how hard is it to get water into a transmission from launching/loading your boat! Take care and I hope you get it fixed without to much hassle or your own money!

Kevin

 

Water and trans fluid mixed would turn to milk. No way it should be able to get in just by backing down the boat ramp. If water is in the trany most likely source is from the coolers. IMO thier tryin to pull one on you.
Ask over and over again to get a sample, dont take no for an anwser!

 

Ya I agree keep asking. Dont tell them what lake you goto either. thats a easy way to know if it was your fault see if the water in the tranny matches the water from the lake. Wow but how much would something like that cost and where to do it at? Call CSI....

 

Just a comment on factory warranties and water damage.....several years ago a buddy of mine hit a big puddle in his infinity and sucked water in the intake which killed the motor and had to be replaced (~$8k)....it wasn't covered under the warranty but his car insurance covered it. I'm sure there may be some differences in warranties among manufacturers but i would imagine they all view water damage the same way....

 

Just so you know there are several here that noticed a brown residue on the dipstick. All of us have been told by the dealers that there was no issue. To my knowledge no one of these people have had issues with their tranny. I would also get a sample and send it off for analysis.

 

i had to lemon law my F-350 08 back to ford due to trans shutter when towing and multiple regen. problems 48k and sat in service for 98 days out of 11 months

 

Hate to hear of these problems. I have had great luck with the torque-shift trannies.
Big FORD fan however, do not let them blame this on you! Like someone mentioned above if there is indeed water in the tranny then it was probably caused by one of the coolers not working properly. Sounds like another crappy dealer that does not know what they are doing.

 

The dealership confirmed today there was NOT water in the trans, that cause my problems. They said the "planetary gear" failed, and there were pieces of it laying in the pan.

They said that it is a warranty problem, and will be repairing it.

Thanks for the help, support, and advice....

 

Great to hear that they did not try to pull one over on you and that the tranny will be repaired with no cost to you.

However, terrible news to hear of the torqueshift tranny breaking at all.

Hopefully you will be up and running again soon with no more problems.