Problem with my Ford F350 transmission pulling heavy load.

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

I don't know why the tranny fluid is squirting out, but here's one thing you
should know- I believe you have the E40D transmission in your Ford. Those
transmissions are known to develop problems when moving heavy loads in
reverse, so try to avoid backing up hills with your trailer.

Paul T.

(Todd) writes:

>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.

Good plan with the gauges and tranny cooler.

>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.

A great place for Ford questions is www.thedieselstop.com. Ford trannies
have a tendency to overheat in reverse, but puking fluid is something
else.

Brian Elfert

In article >,
"Paul T." > wrote:

> I don't know why the tranny fluid is squirting out, but here's one thing you
> should know- I believe you have the E40D transmission in your Ford. Those
> transmissions are known to develop problems when moving heavy loads in
> reverse, so try to avoid backing up hills with your trailer.
>
No, it's the 4R100, which certainly is similar to the E4OD, but isn't
the E4OD

--
Personal email 's a SPAM trap)

You may be overheating the fluid and it's boiling over. There is only a
minimal of air pressure differential in the transmission, which the vent
should handle. Some older 4X4 had the vent attached to a hose that was
attached higher then the transmission to prevent water from entering. It
could also be you are approaching an angle limit in which the fluid level
gets near the vent.. I would say it may be a combination of overheated
expanded fluid, and the angle that you are climbing. If you add a good
volume oil cooler, and don't overfill the transmission, your problems
should go away.
Ron

"Todd" > wrote in message
om...
> 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

On 14 Mar 2005 10:10:54 -0800 (Todd) wrote:


>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.
>
I second the suggestion to take this question to www.thedieselstop.com

The only time I have ever seen a tranny puke fluid was when it got
real hot so that would be my guess.


R.J.(Bob) Evans
(return address needs alteration to work)

I agree with the general census here, the trans is getting to hot. A
relatively large cooler with its own fan will help ALLOT! You need to track
down the previous owner that had the hop-ups done and ask him if he ever had
the same problem(make sure you tell him you don't expect anything from him
if he did). Next, contact the manufacturer of the trans kit and ask them
about the problem...they might have a fix for it.



"Todd" > wrote in message
om...
> 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

I'm in the process of looking at this same problem on my father-in-law's 90'
4WD-460 Although he wasn't pulling any load, he was going up a steep grade.
This is the 2nd time it has happened in this truck, the last was 2 years
ago, and now last week. He has the radiator cooler and the extra one forward
of the radiator. I'm going to hook up a pressure gauge to read pressure on
both sides of the cooler to check flow,

Keep me updated and I'll do the same for you.


--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Undercar Specialist




"Todd" > wrote in message
om...
> 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

Persoanlly, I'd rip out the aftermarket stuff and install a
bigger oil cooler. I have an older Ford pickup with the E4OD
(basically same design transmission as yours). I overheated
it one time and it puked a great deal of fluid out through
the front seal. My mechanics has seen it happen a couple of
other times. I was lucky, I let it cool down and added
fluid. It has been fine for another 40,000 miles. My
mechainc has seen cases where the front seal blew out when
this occurred. Ford deliberately limited the maximum output
of the Powerstroke to prevent transmission issues. Uping the
engine power is just asking for a transmission problem. And
I am not sure why people think Banks know more about
programming the transmission shift points than Ford......

Ed

Todd wrote:
>
> 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

Ralph Lindberg wrote:
>
> In article >,
> "Paul T." > wrote:
>
> > I don't know why the tranny fluid is squirting out, but here's one thing you
> > should know- I believe you have the E40D transmission in your Ford. Those
> > transmissions are known to develop problems when moving heavy loads in
> > reverse, so try to avoid backing up hills with your trailer.
> >
> No, it's the 4R100, which certainly is similar to the E4OD, but isn't
> the E4OD

Basically the same transmission, jut renamed after the 1997
Model Year. Differences are minimal (no more than between
different versions of the E4OD).

Ed