Problem with my Ford F350 transmission pulling heavy load.

Todd · 2005-03-14T18:10:54+00:00

Hi all,I have a question regarding a problem I am having with my 1999 FordF350. It is a 4x4 duallie with the powerstroke diesel. I bought thistruck used and did not know it had some performance enhancements addedto the engine and automatic transmission. Here is my problem:I occasionally tow heavy loads. Usually I don't have any problems; thetruck is a beast and never breaks a sweat. However, twice now I havetowed a heavy load (once was a 10k# tractor, and the other time a 9k#5th wheel) and the transmission dumped a bunch of transmission fluidon the ground, presumably through the vent line.This has occured under specific conditions. In both cases, I wasapproaching a steep incline on gravel, and decided to put the truck in4x4 mode to climb the grade. In both cases, the grade was about a15-17% incline. I stop the truck, put in 4x4 mode, then start up thegrade. THe first time it was in reverse (and 4 wheel low), the secondtime in first gear going forward. After about 30 seconds, I smelltransmission fluid and look under to see a waterfall of fluid from thetranny.The first time, I took it in under the extended warranty and had thetransmission replaced. However, now it has occured a second time witha 6 month old transmission, so I am obviously thinking it doesn't haveto do with the transmission being bad.The transmission has a Banks Transcommand installed, and the enginehas a Dyno Sources chip, which (according to the website) adds 75hpand 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 wasdue to too much hydraulic pressure in the transmission, and thepressure released through some sort of valve. This makes a bit ofsense, since the transcommand increases hydraulic pressure, theincreased torque, ~10k pound load, starting up a reasonably steep hillfrom a dead stop, etc. I am just not convinced, and I would expect thetransmission to handle a load like that without dumping 3-5 quarts offluid on the...

Mar 14, 2005 Last reply: 21 years ago 22 Replies

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TCS 21 years ago

Back in '85 I had a nissen sentra with bridgestone tires. Those where the first tires I ever had other than retreads that didn't last a year.

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Steve 21 years ago

My apologies, I meant the Excursion. Expedition, explorer, excursion.. I get confused.... Steve

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C. E. White 21 years ago

I never thought of sniffing tires to determine quality....

I wonder if your OE Bridgestones were built in Japan and the replacements built in the US (at a Firestone plant)? One of my former co-workers went to work at the Kelley-Springfield plant in Fayetteville, NC. The has told me that the plant makes tires for all sort of other manufacturers (not just KS and Goodyear). It would be interesting to compare the tire numbers to see where the various tires were made. My Father has a strong bias against Goodyear tires, but routinely buys private label tires that are made by Kelley-Springfield (which is Goodyear owned) and Dunlop tires, which is also a Goodyear subsidiary.

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