Hi all,
I have a question regarding a problem I am having with my 1999 Ford F350. It is a 4x4 duallie with the powerstroke diesel. I bought this truck used and did not know it had some performance enhancements added to the engine and automatic transmission. Here is my problem:
I occasionally tow heavy loads. Usually I don't have any problems; the truck is a beast and never breaks a sweat. However, twice now I have towed a heavy load (once was a 10k# tractor, and the other time a 9k#
5th wheel) and the transmission dumped a bunch of transmission fluid on the ground, presumably through the vent line.This has occured under specific conditions. In both cases, I was approaching a steep incline on gravel, and decided to put the truck in
4x4 mode to climb the grade. In both cases, the grade was about a 15-17% incline. I stop the truck, put in 4x4 mode, then start up the grade. THe first time it was in reverse (and 4 wheel low), the second time in first gear going forward. After about 30 seconds, I smell transmission fluid and look under to see a waterfall of fluid from the tranny.The first time, I took it in under the extended warranty and had the transmission replaced. However, now it has occured a second time with a 6 month old transmission, so I am obviously thinking it doesn't have to do with the transmission being bad.
The transmission has a Banks Transcommand installed, and the engine has a Dyno Sources chip, which (according to the website) adds 75hp and 162 lb/ft of torque. It also modifies the shifting settings.
I talked to a guy at Aamco, and he thought the dumping of fluid was due to too much hydraulic pressure in the transmission, and the pressure released through some sort of valve. This makes a bit of sense, since the transcommand increases hydraulic pressure, the increased torque, ~10k pound load, starting up a reasonably steep hill from a dead stop, etc. I am just not convinced, and I would expect the transmission to handle a load like that without dumping 3-5 quarts of fluid on the ground.
The AAMCO guy said that no harm was done and to just replace the fluid. ??? (On a side note, I was amazed a transmission guy told me my transmission was fine after dumping all that fluid... easy money...)
What do you folks think? Is this common or reasonable? Anything I can do to fix it? Should I ditch the chip? I would rather not, as I love the performance enhancements... Do you think the transcommand and the engine chip are conflicting / overboosting?
My current plan is to add a transmission oil cooler, and some gauges for oil temp, pyrometer (exhaust temp), etc. I am looking for more adgvice to make the truck more bulletproof.
Maybe I am just asking too much of it... pushing a 10k# trailer up a hill with a 8400 pound truck may be too much for the Ford transmission.
Thanks for any help,
Todd