I recently had one of my cylinder heads rebuilt and a new exhaust manifold installed, as well as a new radiator and thermostat - just got back from a trip to Colorado and there were several occasions when the MH temp gauge got up to the A and almost to the L (In NORMAL)...prior to this I don't remember the gauge ever going above R. I was towing a Subaru and we had no troubles, except for this concern...it seemed to me that this was more related to transmission heat, which was confirmed when I started backing the coach into our driveway. It is a bit of an incline, in reverse, into our driveway and it started leaking tranny fluid from the bell housing plug. Pretty good leak, that stopped after I shut off the motor. Pulled the plug and started it up again in 20-30 minutes and no leak at all. I'm thinking the transmission was running hotter than normal, and the front seal started leaking - probably even more pushed by the Reverse up the incline. I'm trying to figure out a way to add a transmission cooler - lots of options and opinions...Any thoughts? I've checked out Tru-Cool, B&M, Hayden...also thinking about replacing the fan clutch...also, do you remove the existing cooler that is on the L side of the AC condenser (I guess it's stock)...Thanks, ryanI know I may have to replace the front seal, but I thought I might try to change the fluid/filter (BTW, the fluid is nice and red and doesn't smell burnt at all), install the cooler and see what happens first...

You're doing a lot of guessing about water and tranny temps. Maybe the first step is to get a ScanGauge or equivalent so you can see what the temps really are.

One thing to know is the transmission cooler is not operational in reverse.It is not pumped through the cooler. The worse thing for it is to back up a long grade and then make a sharp turn. Guys that do this consistently report tranny failure more frequently. If you have to back a long grade in reverse, get it in as quickly as possible is the best thing. The more time you take the hotter it gets.

From everything i have read on transmission coolers, the stock ones are usually too small. My E450 has a factory transmission cooler separate from the one in the radiator. I am assuming they are plumbed in series. ( i havent checked). BUT if you want to go with a aftermarket cooler, the consensus is that the "stacked" coolers are better than the "tube and fin" coolers. And get one size bigger than is recommended by the manuafcturer, as long a it will fit where you need to put it. I guess the old saying is true. " bigger is better"

First, how about what year and what engine ?Second, start with a GOOD radiator flushing. I used TWO bottles of Prestone Radiator Flush and Cleaner.Start be draining the old coolantRefill with fresh water and flush chemicalsDrive for at least 30 minutesDrain and refill with fresh waterDrive for at least 30 minutesDrain, refill with water and drive (I feel this second "rinse" very important)Drain. Fill with straight coolant and driveYou will likely have too high of a coolant concentration so remove some and replace it with fresh water.Yes this is time consuming but not difficult and it works very well.See if you have the factory auxiliary transmission cooler. If you do, then you are godd.

pauldub wrote:You're doing a lot of guessing about water and tranny temps. Maybe the first step is to get a ScanGauge or equivalent so you can see what the temps really are.X2Without knowing precise temps of engine coolant and trans fluid everything is a guess.:C

My Ford E350 running a bit hotter | Good Sam Community

64 Replies

theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Aug 08, 2017
First, how about what year and what engine ?

Second, start with a GOOD radiator flushing. I used TWO bottles of Prestone Radiator Flush and Cleaner.

Start be draining the old coolant
Refill with fresh water and flush chemicals
Drive for at least 30 minutes
Drain and refill with fresh water
Drive for at least 30 minutes
Drain, refill with water and drive (I feel this second "rinse" very important)
Drain. Fill with straight coolant and drive

You will likely have too high of a coolant concentration so remove some and replace it with fresh water.

Yes this is time consuming but not difficult and it works very well.

See if you have the factory auxiliary transmission cooler. If you do, then you are godd.
suprz
Explorer
Aug 08, 2017
From everything i have read on transmission coolers, the stock ones are usually too small. My E450 has a factory transmission cooler separate from the one in the radiator. I am assuming they are plumbed in series. ( i havent checked). BUT if you want to go with a aftermarket cooler, the consensus is that the "stacked" coolers are better than the "tube and fin" coolers. And get one size bigger than is recommended by the manuafcturer, as long a it will fit where you need to put it. I guess the old saying is true. " bigger is better"
T18skyguy
Explorer
Aug 08, 2017
One thing to know is the transmission cooler is not operational in reverse.It is not pumped through the cooler. The worse thing for it is to back up a long grade and then make a sharp turn. Guys that do this consistently report tranny failure more frequently. If you have to back a long grade in reverse, get it in as quickly as possible is the best thing. The more time you take the hotter it gets.
pauldub
Explorer
Aug 08, 2017
You're doing a lot of guessing about water and tranny temps. Maybe the first step is to get a ScanGauge or equivalent so you can see what the temps really are.

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My Ford E350 running a bit hotter

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