I towed my boat to the lake this week. About a two hour drive with some moderate hills. The temp was about 100-105. My trans temp gauge got to about 210 range a couple of times. It is shifting fine but now I have oil leaking out around the inspection cover for the flywheel. The fluid level is still up on the stick. It still appears pink and does not stink like it is burnt. Did I blow out the front pump seal or what?? Why did it get so hot? I have the factory cooler and an additonal aftermarket one installed up by the grill. I am hoping that there is not any metal in the pan. If it is just the front seal what king of $$ am I looking at? Thank you.
Did I kill my trans??
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I would not be worried because of the tranny temp. I dont think that temp for that amount of time will cause a problem. Are you sure of the leaking oil color?
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210°F is not a problem at all.
The front seal is a problem in these transmissions. There is an improved seal available in the aftermarket made out of Viton. It cost at least twice what a factory seal cost. The good one is still under $10! The cost is removing the trans to install the seal. It's a good part of a day for a shop to remove and replace the seal.
If it isn't leaking bad I'd leave it alone. You could improve the situation by getting rid of both your trans coolers and installing a cooler from a 6.0L truck. Even better, install that cooler and a radiator with a trans cooler.
The front seal is a problem in these transmissions. There is an improved seal available in the aftermarket made out of Viton. It cost at least twice what a factory seal cost. The good one is still under $10! The cost is removing the trans to install the seal. It's a good part of a day for a shop to remove and replace the seal.
If it isn't leaking bad I'd leave it alone. You could improve the situation by getting rid of both your trans coolers and installing a cooler from a 6.0L truck. Even better, install that cooler and a radiator with a trans cooler.
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When it gets that warm, its not uncommon for the front seal to weep. Even gush. But, as soon as it cools down, all is ok once more. Just make double sure the fluid level is ok. The fluid that escaped is what you are seeing in the inspection area. If it were still leaking, you'd see puddles under your truck.
Do you have the oil to water cooler in the radiator? Your truck didn't come stock with that, but there was a TSB (long since expired) relating to that upgrade. If you don't have it, and you do a lot of towing, it might be worth your while. You're radiator is probably grungy anyway...
Edit - Mark types faster than I do...
Do you have the oil to water cooler in the radiator? Your truck didn't come stock with that, but there was a TSB (long since expired) relating to that upgrade. If you don't have it, and you do a lot of towing, it might be worth your while. You're radiator is probably grungy anyway...
Edit - Mark types faster than I do...
Thanks for the info. I talked to a long time local shop today. He mentioned some of the same things you mentioned. I have an appointment for Monday morning. He said the stock torque converter is more than like the culpret. He has seen many of them that cause way to much heat build up. He suggested a superior aftermarket converter that he has used for years over the OEM. He will R&R the trans replace the converter, pump seal and whatever else is associated with the leak for $1000. Does that seem like a decent deal??? He said I oculd by the t/c for about $325 myself. I really have NO desire to mess with it myself tho. Thanks.
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No, that's not a good deal. All of our torque converters generate heat when they aren't locked up. $325 isn't going to get you anything better than a stock converter. The triple disk towing converters go for 2-3 times that much. You would be much, much better off investing that money in a 6.0 transmission cooler if you want to keep your tranny cool.
I tow about 10K with my stock converter and my 6.0 cooler. Temps here have been well above 100° - even into the 110°s. My transmission temps unloaded stay at 155° and will go up to 170° towing. No torque converter is going to do that for you.
I tow about 10K with my stock converter and my 6.0 cooler. Temps here have been well above 100° - even into the 110°s. My transmission temps unloaded stay at 155° and will go up to 170° towing. No torque converter is going to do that for you.
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Ok. I understand that I need to get a 6.0L cooler. What should I do about the leak though? I drove the truck into work this am and it is still leaking a bit out of the inspection cover for the flywheel. The trans temp got to about 180 or so with no load, easy highway/city driving and out side temp about 82.
Also does the 6.4L have the same cooler as the 6.0L? I think I can come across one of those pretty easy.
Also does the 6.4L have the same cooler as the 6.0L? I think I can come across one of those pretty easy.
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I don't know if its the same cooler - do you have any idea how large it is? Count the rows on it if you can.
Before you condemn the seal - clean the area up really good. It could just be residue from your overheat leak still dripping. Pull the inspection cover off and wipe down everything really well.
If it is leaking, get the new generation viton seal and swap it. If you can pull the transmission yourself -go for it - you don't even have to pull it out from under the truck - just slide it back far enough to get the TQ off. Are you in the valley?
Before you condemn the seal - clean the area up really good. It could just be residue from your overheat leak still dripping. Pull the inspection cover off and wipe down everything really well.
If it is leaking, get the new generation viton seal and swap it. If you can pull the transmission yourself -go for it - you don't even have to pull it out from under the truck - just slide it back far enough to get the TQ off. Are you in the valley?
Will do on the Viton seal. Is that a brand name or a type of material used for the seal? I was wondering if I should change the rear main seal on the engine while I am in there. It is 12 years old now, or do they almost never leak? It does not appear to just be residue. The entire underside of the truck is coated with trans fluid and it is still dripping from this mornings drive to work. It sat parked for about 36 hours before that. I will have 2 count the rows on the 6.4 cooler. It is on a buddy's truck that is wrecked in the drivers side. The front is untouched. Does the 6.0L cooler mount behind the A/C condensor? Anybody have pics of the install??
Nope not in the valley, San Antonio area.
Nope not in the valley, San Antonio area.
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Viton is a material name. The rear main seal almost never leaks and changing it is a royal pain in the backside. I wouldn't change mine unless it was pouring. Ken wrote a nice how-to on the cooler swap: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...nx3b29kbnRoaW5nczh8Z3g6MjYzNGRhMGM2YzhiYTliZQ
You'll have to modify it depending on the mount and hose size for the 6.4. The nice thing about the 6.0 is the mount is the same as our trucks, so it bolts right in. It does go in right behind the a/c condenser, but you don't have to pull it. If you take off the top two bolts, it will lean forward enough to work in there. Taking the bumper off is the biggest trick to a smooth install.
You'll have to modify it depending on the mount and hose size for the 6.4. The nice thing about the 6.0 is the mount is the same as our trucks, so it bolts right in. It does go in right behind the a/c condenser, but you don't have to pull it. If you take off the top two bolts, it will lean forward enough to work in there. Taking the bumper off is the biggest trick to a smooth install.
Thanks for the install link. I will check it out. Good info on the 6.0L cooler mounting right up. I will see about picking a couple up for both trucks. Is there just one model on all 6.0L's or are there multiple ones and I need to pick a certain one? I hope I can do the install without taking the bumper off, I have replacements. Thanks again.
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There is a 26 row and a 31 row - Ken put the part numbers for both. I went with the 31 row considering the heat you and I put up with most of the year. Tousley Ford has the best prices - might even get a better deal buying two at the same time. Call and ask for Mike. Like Ken said - great time to get an inline filter installed as well.
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