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Mnwild's avatar
Mnwild
Explorer
Feb 27, 2018

Broke down in Foley Alabama Transmission Trouble

WE were on our way home to Mn when my transmission started to overheat 7.3 psd with E40d. Limped in to local Ford dealer. They said there diesel guy is on light duty and they are very busy.Might be able to look at it in 2- 3 days. Managed to get trailer to rv site near dealer ship where we are waiting. Wondering if I should call Ford dealers in Pensecola or Mobile to see if I could get it fixed sooner. Also would my Good Sam Roadside pay for tow the 30- 40 miles from one dealer to the other. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks Ken
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    Feb 27, 2018
    How many miles on the truck? When was the last time you changed the fluid and filter or should I say have you ever? E4's are typically good boxes but they require regular fluid and filter changes as well as a good external cooler. The OEM cooler is marginal at best.

    Pull the dipstick and have a look at the fluid. It should be red (the fluid is Dexron-Mercon ATF. If it's brown or stinks, you cooked the box. Time to get your wallet out. E4's aren't inexpensive to replace.
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Feb 27, 2018
    My advice would be to call another dealer or transmission shop. The local dealership only has one person who can do the work?

    I don't know if GS would tow you to another location, you are at a repair shop that can do the work (eventually).
    A GS rep will have to advise you on that question.
  • sch911's avatar
    sch911
    Explorer
    Feb 27, 2018
    When you say "it started to overheat" what exactly does that mean?
  • Mnwild's avatar
    Mnwild
    Explorer
    Feb 27, 2018
    Ive changed fluid and filter every 50,000 since new.Including torque converter. Added larger cooler when we bought the 5er.130,000 now. Anyone recommend a good transmission shop.
  • Mnwild's avatar
    Mnwild
    Explorer
    Feb 27, 2018
    OD light started to flash had only travelled 15 miles since leaving Gulf Shores. MY temp gauge was not regestering. Pulled over and it smelled hot. Checked pan temp with infrared at 260. Let it cool and limped to dealer.
  • garyp4951's avatar
    garyp4951
    Explorer III
    Feb 27, 2018
    I broke down out of town last year, and towed to a dealer, and paid $900 for a water pump, so I would say get it out of there as quick as you can, and find a good trans shop.
  • DownTheAvenue's avatar
    DownTheAvenue
    Explorer
    Feb 27, 2018
    Mnwild wrote:
    Also would my Good Sam Roadside pay for tow the 30- 40 miles from one dealer to the other.


    I am sorry you are stranded with a breakdown in a unfamiliar city. That stinks.

    No, Good Sam will not tow it again. They will give you one tow per breakdown to a facility that has the ability to perform the repair. It appears they did that. Of course, if you had actually read your agreement with Good Sam, you would already know that.

    Towing your vehicle to another shop will probably cost several hundred dollars, so be sure to figure that cost when deciding on another shop.
  • RoadsideGuy's avatar
    RoadsideGuy
    Explorer
    Feb 27, 2018
    Hello Mnwild and thanks for the post. Can you send me a PM with your best contact info and we will reach out.

    Thanks
  • BarneyS's avatar
    BarneyS
    Explorer III
    Feb 27, 2018
    DownTheAvenue wrote:
    Mnwild wrote:
    Also would my Good Sam Roadside pay for tow the 30- 40 miles from one dealer to the other.


    I am sorry you are stranded with a breakdown in a unfamiliar city. That stinks.

    No, Good Sam will not tow it again. They will give you one tow per breakdown to a facility that has the ability to perform the repair. It appears they did that. Of course, if you had actually read your agreement with Good Sam, you would already know that.

    Towing your vehicle to another shop will probably cost several hundred dollars, so be sure to figure that cost when deciding on another shop.

    Seems to me that if you had actually read his post carefully you would have known that he drove to the dealer and has not used the GS
    service.
    Glad that the GS rep has responded to his question.
    Barney

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