Ok, I'll try to keep this short. I recently had my transmission serviced (7k ago) I currently have 114k on the truck. I tow a 2800lb - 3200lb bass boat behind my 5.4 v-8 Lariat Super Crew. The last couple long trips (hot weather) towing my bass boat I've noticed some fluid has spayed up on to my trailer. I crawled under my truck and noticed it is a little wet on the passangers side rear axel and shock. I did not find any drips or signs of puddling under my truck. Someone told me there's a over flow for my transmission on the passenger side and it's possible that the tranny is overheating and letting lose some fluid. There was a hot smell when I finally get home from a long haul. Does this sound right? The tranny does not slip and the truck runs like a dream. I do not have the tow package on this truck.
When I tow I do use overdrive...should I not? should I just keep in in drive and deal with the higher tach? or should I add a seperate tranny cooler where as I do not have the tow package.

Thanks for the help!

 

Random thoughts...

You need a temp gauge to see what's really going on...especially since you tow, and especially since you tow without a towing package.

I forgot, does your truck have a tranny cooler? It would be a small looking radiator behing the lower valance / bumper (between the bumper and the radiator) on the passenger side. If not, then you need to get one.

What is your truck telling you when you tow with the OD on?? Is it staying in OD? If not, is the converter unlocked or is it actually downshifiting to 3rd?

You may very likely be in a sweet spot where your truck has the power to pull in OD with the converter unlocked without requiring a downshift in actual gears. This is the worst place to be in and will quickly drive fluid temps through the roof. If this is your situation, then possible you overheated things and fluid came from somewhere.

Have you checked the fluid level?? Possible they overfilled it thus aggrivating the situation and could cause some of what you mentioned.

 

[QUOTE=Galaxy;4636048]Random thoughts...

You need a temp gauge to see what's really going on...especially since you tow, and especially since you tow without a towing package.

I forgot, does your truck have a tranny cooler? It would be a small looking radiator behing the lower valance / bumper (between the bumper and the radiator) on the passenger side. If not, then you need to get one.

What is your truck telling you when you tow with the OD on?? Is it staying in OD? If not, is the converter unlocked or is it actually downshifiting to 3rd?

You may very likely be in a sweet spot where your truck has the power to pull in OD with the converter unlocked without requiring a downshift in actual gears. This is the worst place to be in and will quickly drive fluid temps through the roof. If this is your situation, then possible you overheated things and fluid came from somewhere.

Have you checked the fluid level?? Possible they overfilled it thus aggrivating the situation and could cause some of what you mentioned.

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It does not have a tranny cooler.

It does stay in OD unless I'm climbing up a hill or go to pass someone on the highway. I then hit the button and take it out manually.

The fluid is high. I just went out and checked (cold) Should I warm the truck up before checking?

 

The tranny fluid is supposed to be checked hot with the engine running in Park.

You MUST get a tranny cooler if you tow and I strongly recommend you tow with OD off.

If it's overheated to the point where it's been blowing fluid out the vent you need to get the fluid changed again - a complete replacement, not just a pan drop.

 

I'll check it after work.

I think the fluid is ok. It's nice and red and doesn't smell burnt. I will look into a tranny cooler.

Won't I hurt the engine pulling in drive? My rpm's jump up on the highway when I'm not in OD. Which is worse?

Thanks

 

No, it will not hurt the engine. As long as it doesn't overheat, she'll pull all day long from now on at 4,000+. Pulling in OD (with the converter unlocked) is far, far worse than driving for eternity with OD off. Gas mileage will suck, but it ain't gonna hurt anything.

If you confirm or suspect the fluid was overheated that bad, you have another recommendation from me to change the fluid. Overheating like that EXTREMELY reduces the half-life of fluid. This is further enhanced by the fact you have no cooler and you're towing. These tranny's suck and do good to run at descent temps in hot climates with no load.

Let me ask my question about OD another way just to ensure you know what we're asking...

Do you know the difference between the converter being locked and unlocked?? You can be in OD and the converter can be in either condition; one is bad and one is OK as previously mentioned. If you don't know the difference, it sounds like a downshift, but it's not. Not doubting you, just trying to cover the bases to help out.

 

I know enough to be dangerouse....

I do not know the difference. All I can say is when I'm in OD It does sound/feel like it shifts down when I'm looking for more power, but when I take it out of OD it will shift down even further, make sense?

It's probably that converter your referring to locking and unlocking.

I plan on possibly adding a cooler this weekend. Is it difficult or do I need to hire someone? I'm pretty good with wrenches.

Someone also told me that when I add a cooler the preasure will drop in the tranny fluid which is not good for the tranny....true?

 

Perfect description. Yes, that sound/feel of a subtle downshift is the converter unlocking. When it unlocks, that sucker is generating tons of heat. You cannot leave the converter unlocked for long. If you've been towing in that configuration a lot, it's killing your fluid. But, the correct action to take in that scenario is to turn the OD off. It'll downshift to 3rd, and the converter should lock back up after a few seconds and things will cool back down.

Yes, true. Do not buy a tube & fin cooler of any brand...Perma-Cool comes to mind. They cause the pressure problems. You want a stacked plate type cooler from somewhere like Derale, Fluidyne, or some other name brand company. Also, the tranny cooler from a '97-'98 I think F250 LD (...that's the F250 that's the same body style as your truck) is a stacked plate type cooler, it's a direct bolt in to the front of the truck, and is more than up to the task. Also relatively affordable. The tubing and such will have to be custom done, but mounting is a breeze. If you search, several of us have installed that one and there's a few articles in the tranny section on it.

 

Thanks for all the help...I have bigger problems.

I picked my bass boat up from the shop. I drove it back via highway NOT using OD. I started to smell something burning. When I pulled in my driveway there was smoke coming out from uder my passenger wheel. I crawled under to take a look and I found oil dripping off where my exhaust pipe comes down from the engine. WTF! I believe I found my problem....not the tranny but a head gasket or valve cover gasket leaking. This explains the film I am getting on my trailer, shock and rear axel on the passanger side! After investing over 2k+ the past 2 months (new tires,ball joints,rear axel seals, brakes, u joints and sway bar bushings) I kid you not...all this in 2 months! Now I may have a leaking head gasket!! But I always thought a leaking head gasket dripped coolant and not oil? There is no sign of oil in my coolant. Anyways put the gun to my head and pull the trigger....

5:00am...couldn't sleep. I went outside and crawled back under with a flash light to take another look. Well I found the problem, question is......is it an easy fix and how to do it. I found out my Transmission dip stick tube has a rusted hole! It's right near the exhaust pipe that comes down. I'm somewhat releived that its not a head gasket. How easy is this to replace? Is it attached to the oil pan or is it seperate. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Also you wouldn't happen to know how this comes out? is it pressed in? Thanks!

 

Sorry bro...have never looked at that thing. But don't get sidetracked...you still have a tranny issue. If you're towing (anything) with this truck and no cooler, you're asking for it. Good luck.

But not having a temp gauge is nice in one aspect, cause you know what they say..."ignorance is bliss"

 

theres a bolt that hold the transmission dipstick tube in. it up on the engine take it out and you just kind of wiggle the thing out from there. the transmission oil isnt under pressure there you can sometimes fix leaks like that with silicone..