Hi

I bought two months a Ford E-350 Club Wagon, 1995, V8 5.9l and converted him to a sleeping van. I did a normal inspection as I started my trip (new engine oil, oil filter etc.).

After two months traveling across the US, I realized that the Ford has overheating problems when I drive mountains and in hot conditions. Two times the transmission oil was blowing and leaking. The engine temperature was always fine. I went to some mechanics and they filled up the transmission oil and everything went well. They also cleaned the transmission fan. They also told me the use gear 1/2 when I drive up the mountains.

Yesterday after 2000ft and 4 miles up the hill (I used gear 1/2) it was leaking again a little bit. It was not serious, but just a little hill.

What can I do regarding this transmission overheating problems in mountain regions? I don't know how old the transmission oil is or if a new transmission filter is required. But the last mechanic told me, this is not why the transmission oil is overheating.

Thanks for our help.

 

Mark Kovalsky to the white courtesy phone
He's the tranny guru . PM him

 

I suspect you're at a low speed while climbing. That can cause a lot of heat in the transmission. The torque converter hub seal is pretty sensitive to heat. When it gets too hot it leaks. Once it cools it usually seals again. There is a much better aftermarket seal available. To install the seal the trans has to be removed.

 

Thanks Mark for your help. You are correct, while climbing I drive in low speed.

Do you know where I can buy the aftermarket seal or do you have a link to the product?

thanks

 

A quick google search brought up a bunch of them. Here's one:

 

Thanks Mark. I'm not an expert in cars, so I will find a mechanic who can change it. I hope it is not so expensive. Maybe they have already such a part, because I have no address in the US.

What I don't understand, nearly everyone would have this problems in the mountains with a Ford Econoline.

You helped me a lot, thanks!

 

I've had it coming down the mountain. I changed to a syn. fluid to help a shudder issue and so far no smoking out the back in the mountains but this next weekend pulling my camper will be a good test. BTW what kinda mileage is on the trans? Mine is 160k.

 

The Ford has 90k miles on. But it's from 1995, so 22 years old. I bought it 2 months ago, not really sure if the miles are correct or someone turned it back.

Spaznaut, you had the same problem with overheating the trans oil in mountains? What kind of synth oil can I use? At the moment I use Macron V trans oil, a mechanic told me thats suitable for the Ford.

 

Use MERCON V. I like Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF.

 

No recommendations of a transmission oil cooler? I have a B&M that only opens up the circuit once the fluid has warmed up a bit, so you aren't pumping super cold fluid all winter.

 

Can I also use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF with my 1995 V8, 5.8l Ford?

 

Personally I'd use synthetic motor oil in that 5.8...

But I put M1 ATF in just about every tranny I own going back to the T400 in my 78 olds. Nothing has exploded.

 

Assuming you mean in the transmission, then yes, you can.

 

Mark to the RESCUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I've owned both a 95 and a 96 E150 both with the 351. Neither has had leaking due to the fluid getting too hot in the mountains. The 96 did leak some due to the fluid level being too high. It's really hard to tell the level with the dipstick material to start with. If you have the fluid changed have the filter changed as well. A transmission "flush" is pretty much a waste of money because all they do is pump new fluid in behind the old without changing the dirty filter.