Past exp. on this and other trannies is to check the tranny fluid after about 20 miles driving unloaded. This will give the average warm/hot temp. level. Nothing about these dipsticks is absolute. Learn to play the averages.

 

external transmission filter ????????????????

man... everytime i come on here i find out something new that i need to replace ( $$$ ) or flush or add to my truck.

where ever that is... beats me. 92K miles on the truck, the transmission has been flushed ( two or three times, hot flush ) and a few thousand miles ago it got a new pan gasket, new screen and filter inside the pan, and new fluid.

but now, you guys say theres and EXTERNAL filter? dangit... where? and how often should it be replaced ?

 

Under the front bumper on the passenger side you will see a aluminum canister with a hex on the bottom of it. Best taken off with a impact wrench, but a fast deliberate twist will break it loose. Change every 30,000 max miles.

 

The filter is on towards the passenger side under the radiator, or just aft of it. You will see the transmission cooler lines and know when you have found it. To get it off it is highly recommended to use an impact wrench so as not to cause any damage. You should change it ever 30K with the fluid change.

 

Behind the front bumper on the passenger side. Every 30,000 miles per manual. I do mine every 10,000 miles, every other oil change. Cheap ins. in my op.

 

Yes it can.

 

Thanks Mark!
That make me feel 1000% better

Anyone else had their tranny puke in this manner?

Prefer not to the $$$ on diagnostics if it was as simple as this.

 

Ford service manager today said that even it was not 'overfilled' it's not unheard of to overflow if air temp is high and travel speed is low.
He also said that where the tranny temp sensor is located is not at the hottest point and that fluid coming out of the torch converter can boil.
His advise: try and get going a little faster before the trannny gets that hot and it should stay cooler from the air flow & if it is not possible to maintain a higher speed (over 45mph) then pull over and let it cool for 15 minutes in an extreme heat situation.

This advise seems rather poor as I was only pulling 10,000lbs in 85* heat.
Speed was bit low & it was a 30 minute continuos climb though.....
Anyone install a larger cooler?

 

My bro in law tows car carrier for a living. He has mentioned this to me before about not towing heavy for slow speed for long period, I wouldn't consider 10k heavy though. Anyway he has upgraded his trans cooler on his 07 F450 and it even has a fan on it. He regularly tows 20k

 

I am on 10 different 6.0L forums - have been for 5 years. I watch them ALL the time. I make it a point to document problems and fixes (maybe even go overboard on it)! You are the only one that I have heard of who puked the transmission fluid out of the dipstick tube (especially without even getting into the red on the temperature). The only other possibility was the Youtube video that I found and posted (and they only "hint" at the fire being caused by tranny fluid puking). Not saying it hasn't happened before, just that it is VERY uncommon. These transmission systems are designed well - that includes the cooling system.

If you want us to say that it wasn't overfilled, then I for one must dissapoint you. If you find the cooler lines plugged or kinked, then (and only then) would I change my mind.

Also, I gave you the boiling point of the fluid. It is an EXTREME temperature. Anyone telling you that the fluid is boiling is a NUT!

You seem to ignore most of what I tell you so..........

Good luck, it is clear that I can not help you.

 

I think you need to go back and read my comments....I have read yours and have not discounted anything you have said.
I am just puzzled and asking questions and presenting options for others to comment on-including you
I am meticulous in everything I have done with with truck and the 18-20 others I have maintained and rebuilt in in the last 28 years.
I am not some 'punk' disrespecting your opinions and knowledge!!!
Currently I suspect that my 'puking' was a result of:
1. going to slow for the heat and not getting enough air flow to properly cool the tranny. Probably should have manually pulled it into 3rd and increased my speed by 10 mph to 50-55mph; the Ford service said the engine would take it. That would spin me up at 2800rpm versus the 2250 I was at.
2. somehow had 1/2-1 quart to much fluid in the tranny- will never know because it's to late after it's puked to know how much I lost.
3. there is slim chance that I have the wrong dip stick for my tranny; I read somewhere that there was a TSB on the wrong length in some trannys.

My next step is drain the tranny and measure how much is in there and put back 8 quarts and see how much is left over.

Is 8 quarts the right amount in a tranny drain just by pulling the plug?
If I can 100% figure the correct amount a 2005 should have and I'm over then I'll see if I can source out the exact length of the correct dip stick.

 

I religiously change my transmission fluid at 30,000. The pan drain drops 7 quarts, every time. Draining the pan and the external filter is a loss of 7 and 1/2 quarts, every time. I usually drain the pan and refill. run for a few days then do it again, also changing the external filter. I pull a 16,000 GVW fifth wheel quite a bit. I have not seen more than a discoloration on a rag when wiping off the magnet internal to the pan. I have pulled this trailer in 100 degree temps on 8% grades near Flagstaff, AZ, and have not seen the coolant temp over 215 or so, and the transmission temp not over 220 or so. Never had a problem with puking fluid.

 

I'll drain it tomorrow and see how much I get.
More than 7 quarts and my dipstick must be to short......

 

Removing the plug will get 6-8 quarts out. There is some variation trans to trans, they don't all drain a specific amount. It's not like an engine pan where everything drains into the pan when it's off. Different amounts of fluid can be trapped in the torque converter, solenoids, valves, clutches, etc.

 

Currently when running for a 1/2 hour in 80 degree temp I am only 1/2 way up the 'warm' mark.
Seems highly unlikely I have the wrong dipstick but just in case: can a couple of guys with 2005's measure their dipstick?
Say from where it seats against the tube down to the tip?
This will put this to final rest for me