Towing Concerns and Burnt tranny smell!!!!
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From: Oxford, CT
Towing Concerns and Burnt tranny smell!!!!
I trailerd my 2 600lbs ATVs on my trailer, a 600lbs ATV on my bed with ramps and accessories, and 5 full size people in the cab last night. I traveled 40 miles. I used the Edge to keep an eye on my Tranny fluid temperature and I noticed that on hills, going from 500mph to like 70mph, the temperature rose from 170 to 190!!! I was able to smell stuff burning. What is the adequate temperature for the Tranny fluid and I am assuming that due to the smaller block, I have to keep the speed down around 50-60 since I noticed that on the way back, by maintaining that speed, my tranny temperature was down to 160-170
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From: NJ ... the garbage state
190 degrees isnt really that hot. I am not sure what was causing the burning smell, but since you figure you engine temp is probably about 190, that is an equalized temperature. According to most ATF manufacturers, i believe, at 175 degrees it should last about 100,000 miles, at 195 degrees-50k, 215 degrees-25k, 235degrees-12,500, and exceeding that range is not reccomended. I believe that is the chart for atf life, and of course dont exceed the range reccomended by ford either.
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From: Sunny tourist infested FL
For your truck w/ a 4.6, crew cab, and 3.55 w/ 18 inch wheels (I'm guessing at the ratio and I know you have 33"), the tow cap is 6000.
But with the 33" and the body lift who know what the actual towing cap. is for your truck.
I guess it's possible that with the load of the 1200lbs plus trailer and 5 guys at 150lbs each (that's a guess), that 750lbs and another 600lbs in the bed, plus the size of your tires, (that's a lot of mass) you could have stressed the trans.
If were you, I would have the fluid and filter changed. Was it a clutch smell or was it brakes??
But with the 33" and the body lift who know what the actual towing cap. is for your truck.
I guess it's possible that with the load of the 1200lbs plus trailer and 5 guys at 150lbs each (that's a guess), that 750lbs and another 600lbs in the bed, plus the size of your tires, (that's a lot of mass) you could have stressed the trans.
If were you, I would have the fluid and filter changed. Was it a clutch smell or was it brakes??
Last edited by wildcard30; Nov 12, 2006 at 02:09 PM.
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From: Oxford, CT
wow, thanks for letting me know. I thought 190 was too hot and I slowed down at some points to 40mph to let it cool to 40mph. I do have the factory tow package so I have the proper coolers installed. It definitely smelled like tranny fluid...maybe it was my rear end???
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Bartlett, TN
You may want to go pull the Tranny dip stick and check the fluid.
Pull it out and check it for color and smell.
If it was the Tranny fluid it will be dark and a noticable burnt smell.
If so, change it out. If not, then it most likely was not the tranny. It is easy enough to check that part of it.
Pull it out and check it for color and smell.
If it was the Tranny fluid it will be dark and a noticable burnt smell.
If so, change it out. If not, then it most likely was not the tranny. It is easy enough to check that part of it.
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From: Sunny tourist infested FL
The tow package is set-up for how the truck is equipped from the factory. By changing the trucks configuration with the 33" tires, the transcooller may have been enough for the fluid, but the trans may have been stressed pulling the load and moving the tires.
I would be interesting to see what the actual towing cap. of your truck is with the current configuration. What gears do you have?? Is it 3.55 or 3.73? I would change them to something higher if you plan on towing.
I would be interesting to see what the actual towing cap. of your truck is with the current configuration. What gears do you have?? Is it 3.55 or 3.73? I would change them to something higher if you plan on towing.
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From: Oxford, CT
I have 3.55ls. Since I am sure I smelled tranny, I should change it out even though I was planning on doing it in 8k miles? I never ever towed before and I am just over nervous. Sorry guys. I feel like I am lost in the dark. I would be dead lost without you guys and this forum
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From: Sunny tourist infested FL
I'd change it. You were only going another 8,000 miles. So changin' it early is a good thing. It will give you peace of mind. That way, can take a good look at the filter and the fluid. Are you going to change it, or the dealer or someone else?
Last edited by wildcard30; Nov 12, 2006 at 02:43 PM.
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From: In my House
IS300, whats the GVWR on your truck? You may have been at or close to the max. Figure, if your truck weighs 5700lbs(guessing), then you have 5 buddys (guess 150lbs each), plus your 600lb ATV in the back, your over 7000lbs with just your loaded truck. It's been posted before how easy it is to overload these trucks.
Rich
Rich
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From: Oxford, CT
I do all the work myself. So I would go ahead and change the filter and the fluid myself. I checked the fluid just now and it seems pretty normal to me...I would hate to bring it to the stealership and have them look at it since they might give me some BS and either void it or not see a problem.
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From: Oxford, CT
Originally Posted by 96f150
IS300, whats the GVWR on your truck? You may have been at or close to the max. Figure, if your truck weighs 5700lbs(guessing), then you have 5 buddys (guess 150lbs each), plus your 600lb ATV in the back, your over 7000lbs with just your loaded truck. It's been posted before how easy it is to overload these trucks.
Rich
Rich
how do you find out your GVWR??? I figured I had at least 1500lbs including all the passengers, quad, ramp, gas can, etc.
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190 is not to hot at all. You were towing a load. It's going to get warmer. I think the temp you need to watch for is around 245. You don't need to change the fluid yet. I have seen 195 in the summer in heavy city driving with no load. You more than likely were smelling the heat off the engine. I tow this, it's 6500lbs. I also towed it with my last truck it was a 2002 F150 scab it had a 4.6 with the 3.55 rearand it was a 4x4. I could smell heat off the engine when I would pull this load because of the many hills I have where I live.
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From: Oxford, CT
Originally Posted by whitecrystal1
190 is not to hot at all. You were towing a load. It's going to get warmer. I think the temp you need to watch for is around 245. You don't need to change the fluid yet. I have seen 195 in the summer in heavy city driving with no load. You more than likely were smelling the heat off the engine. I tow this, it's 6500lbs. I also towed it with my last truck it was a 2002 F150 scab it had a 4.6 with the 3.55 rearand it was a 4x4. I could smell heat off the engine when I would pull this load because of the many hills I have where I live.
I am going to estimate that the total weight of all five passengers including my bazooka tube and the added weight from the seat covers
, lets safely say that the total weight is 840, giving me a left over of 2045. The trailer weighs 400lbs and the final number I am left with is 1645....I dont think I overloaded my truck at all.