Tranny getting hot

[simplyrwc]

Limited wifi so I'm skipping the search and asking and will see if I get any helpful hints tomorrow.

2004 V10 excursion pulling 2014 Wildwood 32bhds tow button used not heavy on the pedal or anything abnormal or changed.

Same usual payload.
Same hill I've climbed several times but this time the transmission temp goes into the red.

Anything simple that can be checked that would cause team my to run hot his time but not the other times?

Thanks in advance.



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[retiredcamper47]

How many miles on your tv? Did you check the trans fluid level? Has the trans ever been serviced (flushed, filter, etc)?

Bob

[Weezer]

Originally Posted by retiredcamper47

How many miles on your tv? Did you check the trans fluid level? Has the trans ever been serviced (flushed, filter, etc)?

Bob

X2 was my first thought

along with "same time of year/weather as previous trips?"

(assumed there's a tranny cooler)

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Check tranny fluid level, tranny fluid condition and if you have a tranny cooler make sure it's not clogged with debris...This would be your main culprits to a tranny running hot.

[RollingDownTheHighway]

Check your tranny oil and filter, and i'd recommend to flush it out and add some new fluid. How is the tranny temp when towing on "flat" roads?

[PhoneDude 8289]

If all the above checks good try going down to the next lower gear like from 4th to 3rd. This will up the RPM's and push more fluid thru the trans. This will also keep you closer to the max power band, easier on the drivetrain.

[Still Kickin]

Originally Posted by Cajun Po-Boy

Check tranny fluid level, tranny fluid condition and if you have a tranny cooler make sure it's not clogged with debris...This would be your main culprits to a tranny running hot.

X2. I vote for clogged tranny cooling fins, not allowing the air to pass over them to disapate the added heat build. Does it have a seperate tranny radiator for cooling? Also, how is the engine temp doing. Sometimes when the clutch fan starts to go and your in that particular mode (pulling tt increasing tranny heat) the airflow at speed, can cool the engine, but marginal on the tranny. Just a thought.

[Ford Idaho]

I agree you need to have the fluid dumped, trans flushed and a new filter installed.
I bet is you take a whiff of the oil it smells "burnt" and the oils viscosity is low.

[Jammer3025]

What gear are you towing in? Try dropping down a gear or 2. Get the RPM's up. Check the color of the transmission fluid. It should be red, and not brown. It should not smell burnt. If you were going slower up that same hill this time, like maybe you was in slower traffic, and it took longer to make the summit, that will change the heating patter also.

If your in slower traffic, downshift and keep the rpm's up.

[golfmedik]

The early model Super Dutys and Excursions have ridiculously small tranny coolers. If your fluid is ok, you may want to upgrade the cooler. Most people go with a Ford 6.0L. Either a 26 or 31 row is fine. It bolts directly into the place where the stock one goes, but you must remove the grille and front bumper(6 bolts is all). Over on the Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forum Excursion - King of SUVs - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums there is a retired Ford engineer that helped in designing the transmission named Mark Kovalsky. Here is a link directly to a thread concerning V10 tranny puking V10 Transmission Leaking When Hot - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
Several different things can cause it, but that is the forum to help. Lots of people here are over there as well. On a side note, some people just buy and aftermarket(heavy duty) cooler and hook it in series with the stock one. Like others have said, make sure the fins are clean, the fan clutch is working properly and the fluid is good. Then sit back and read a bit.
Monty

[simplyrwc]

Thanks for the Info. I will flush when I get home. Was hoping it was something simple.


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[SKnight]

If all is the same, then something mechanically has happened.

The cooler fins could be clogged, but that same debris should effect the radiator and engine cooling. Note should, I can hear the usual suspects getting ready to challenge me there.

If the trans still shifts normally and doesn't slip under a load then it's going to come down to a few things.

The torque converter is failing. They generate a huge amount of heat and when the lockup clutch is released climbing a hill that slip within the converter really taxes the cooling system. If the converter is failing it just gets worse and a few hundred extra RPM might not be noticed.

The cooling fan clutch is failing. Might be enough to keep the engine cool but not enough to cool the trans.

The temp sensor is failing. The trans picks up a few degrees, which is inevitable, shorts out as the thermistor grounds the sensor circuit, drives the gauge to the max. If the fluid looks and smells normal that might be where I start. Easy check, it's normal then suddenly tops out, odds are it's shorted. It will do the opposite as it cools, suddenly drop down to the normal range.

Do get it checked, a <$1000 fix can turn into $5000 quickly.