I have the Transmission blues...
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 99
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From: Black Mnt. NC & Wayx, GA
I have the Transmission blues...
Well, while I was replacing some leaking oil line fittings on the top of the 7.3 I took the time to completly service the truck including changing the transmission fluid. I got it back together and drove in around 100 miles over the weekend with no problems. Keeping in mind I NEVER let enyone drive my truck but since my rollback is down I had to send it on a delivery towing about #8900 this am. My driver just called and said its pouring fluid from the bellhousing area after going up a "really steep hill". Needless to say I'm pissed because I am now marooned (sp?) up here at our vacation house with no way home away from the wife & kids.....So any ideas what I may be looking at $ wise? And anyone know a good shop in Asheville NC?
P.S. I used Mercon V and told him to leave it out of O/D.
P.S. I used Mercon V and told him to leave it out of O/D.
Last edited by ShakinX; Nov 12, 2007 at 11:01 AM.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Sometimes the fluid can get real hot and come out of the overflow. Kinda rare if the fluid was at the correct level but... 
Mercon V is the new fluid for the 4R100 but since you have it in there it must have been changed recently?
Have the driver check the fluid level. If low, refill it to the proper level and get the tranny up to temp (about 150° if you got a gauge) and see if it is leaking out. The front seal may have gone south.
Leave it in OD unless it hunts continually.
Mercon V is the new fluid for the 4R100 but since you have it in there it must have been changed recently?
Have the driver check the fluid level. If low, refill it to the proper level and get the tranny up to temp (about 150° if you got a gauge) and see if it is leaking out. The front seal may have gone south.
Leave it in OD unless it hunts continually.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 99
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From: Black Mnt. NC & Wayx, GA
O/D was off...at least he said it was.
134K
Just called and said the transmission has stopped leaking and thats its showing on the stick. He wants to refill it and try to go down the Mtnt and back here to the store. I have to make a 7 hour trip with this truck today or tomorrow so any help would be appreciated greatly
134K
Just called and said the transmission has stopped leaking and thats its showing on the stick. He wants to refill it and try to go down the Mtnt and back here to the store. I have to make a 7 hour trip with this truck today or tomorrow so any help would be appreciated greatly
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
If the OD light on the stalk isn't blinking then I'd drive it with just topping if off. Of course, I'd get it up to temp first and make sure the leak isn't a hard leak and was only the result of overheating and too much fluid.
Sounds like a good addition to your truck would be a tranny temp gauge and an additional or larger tranny cooler.
Sounds like a good addition to your truck would be a tranny temp gauge and an additional or larger tranny cooler.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,730
Likes: 2,658
From: SE Florida
Originally Posted by Monsta
Sometimes the fluid can get real hot and come out of the overflow. Kinda rare if the fluid was at the correct level but....
This trans almost certainly leaked out of the torque converter hub seal. They are well known to leak when the torque converter gets really hot, such as climbing a really steep grade, or backing a trailer.
Most times once the trans cools off the seal will harden back up and work again. It will go through several softening/leaking and hardening/sealing cycles until it fails completely.
The best cure is pull the trans and replace the seal with an aftermarket seal. There are better seals available than the OEM seal. A fix that works most of the time is a better trans cooler. A cooler from a 6.0L will usually keep the torque converter cool enough that this will never happen again.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Black Mnt. NC & Wayx, GA
It nice to have this board to get educated answers from, Thanks guys!
The truck is on its way back and he is reporting no leaks and smooth shifting.
It looks like I may not have to spend my $ on an Art Carr transmission in the near future.
The truck is on its way back and he is reporting no leaks and smooth shifting.
It looks like I may not have to spend my $ on an Art Carr transmission in the near future.
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Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Well my answer wasn't very educated! I was thinking the dipstick but said overflow. Sorry 'bout the misinformation. But glad the truck is working.
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I think it was just the front main seal on the trans puking by the converter also. You were given good info in the previous posts. Id look into getting that front seal replaced if you do a lot of heavy towing up hills often, and i would DFFINATLY get a bigger trans cooler. I personally recommend the biggest B&M cooler on the market as its a much better design in terms of fluid cooling capability, strength in regards to resisting damage from impact from stones etc, and also thicker metal so it wont rot out and leak after a few years. Really a top quality unit in all regards and not priced too bad at all. This is teh setup all the racers use and you dont get much more demanding then a race car. You should expect to pay about $60-$75 for the part and it shold come with necessary parts to install.
http://www.bmracing.com/index.php?id...ubcat=&pid=382
Any trans shop should be able to install it for you for cheap.
http://www.bmracing.com/index.php?id...ubcat=&pid=382
Any trans shop should be able to install it for you for cheap.
Last edited by 1; Nov 12, 2007 at 04:27 PM.