1996 F-150 5.0 auto -- has torque converter shudder
The last 2 times I pulled my boat the O/D lite started blinking, could smell the fluid. Question: could the converter be causing the hot temp? I had the trans serviced after the 1st time, but still ran hot on the 2nd trip. Am I looking at a rebuild? All help is appreciated

2004VStar

 

calm down now....

so... does the tranny still "work?"

does the truck have a tranny cooler (external?)

is it spewing fluid out the overflow?

...zap!

 

Tranny still work OK
shifts a little hard but not too bad...Does have a trans cooler...Just seems to be runn hot ...did not see any sign of fluid over flowing...but had a strong smell of fluid

 

I have that same issue, just started today. Except, I ain't towin and I am starting to loose fluid.

 

Sounds like your torque converter is not locking up. One easy way to check is if you have a tach, and you are cruising down the road at about 35-40 mph and it's pretty flat, you should be in 'locked' third gear.

If the TC is locked, and you give it a little gas, you should not see the tach move very much, if at all. (well, it will rise with about the same amount of rise on the speedo) If the tach jumps up a couple hundred rpms and you don't gain any speed, then the TC is unlocked.

You might want to get a temp gauge or if you can borrow an infra red temp sensor and point it at the cooler or pan, that will give you some idea of what temps you are experiencing.

IMO, anything over 200* sustained temp is too hot. It should be no more then 180* sustained for decent fluid/trans life (again, IMO.. )

Mitch