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Johnny_Dearborn's avatar
Johnny_Dearborn
Explorer
Aug 06, 2019

Transmission Overheated on my Ford E350 Chassis Shasta

This past weekend, I took a trip up to Mt Whitney with my 2001 Shasta E350 chassis. The road up starts at about 3,000 feet and tops out at 8,500 after just a few miles of road. The temps were about 90 degrees at the bottom and in the 80's at elevation. Once I got to the end of the road, my transmission started dumping fluid all over the roadway. My mechanic says that the transmission overheated once I stopped moving, forcing fluid out of the top.

I called AAA, but they said that they couldn't do anything for me since they couldn't get a truck up the hill to me. (WTF!?) So a few questions: Has this happened to anyone else? How can I prevent this in the future? Any recommendations for roadside assistance that won't leave me stranded in the mountains?

Thanks. John
Class C
  • Olddud's avatar
    Olddud
    Explorer
    Aug 07, 2019
    jimx200 wrote:
    We're you on Old Priest Grade? If so, it's a real steep haul up and I have seen cars and trucks off to the side with overheating problems. HD transmission coolers really help. Good luck


    He may be referring to Whitney Portal, which is paved to the top, at least it was 45 years ago when I was out there. Darn I'm Old, but not a Priest.
  • klutchdust's avatar
    klutchdust
    Explorer II
    Aug 07, 2019
    A friend has owned a transmission shop for 30 years. He advised me to NEVER flush your transmission, regardless of what the new gimmick suggests. Drop the pan and filter and change the fluid.
    He has numerous stories concerning customers who have had a major transmission problem and their first statement is, "i had it flushed" recently.

    Flushing causes issues. Particles are released and get into sensitive valving systems
    So for the "peace of mind" folks ,do yourself a favor and research before you flush.

    And yes, look at the fluid and change when the color changes OR smells burnt.
  • Chum_lee's avatar
    Chum_lee
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2019
    "I called AAA, but they said that they couldn't do anything for me since they couldn't get a truck up the hill to me."

    Are you sure they knew the size of your rig? I've been up there before and I don't understand why a tow truck couldn't make it. Maybe they just didn't want to, had better things to do, or, thought their truck was too small to handle your rig.

    For your transmission, YES, . . . . they do that. If it will still engage in drive, top it off with the proper ATF and hope for the best. You'll know very soon if everything is OK or if the transmission is coming out. Expect the trip down the mountain to do the same thing, but, to your brakes.

    Chum lee
  • bobndot's avatar
    bobndot
    Explorer II
    Aug 06, 2019
    If it puked fluid out the vent


    Oh geez, there goes my appetite ! :B
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2019
    If it puked fluid out the vent, sometimes it just means it was a little overfull, and no damage was done!

    At this point, I'd do the sniff test first. If the fluid is still bright red, and doesn't smell burnt, I wouldn't do a thing. Definitely don't try to add back in what you think you lost.

    Long term, I do recommend a Tru Cool Max replacement cooler for any heavy E-series.

    Have you ever replaced your radiator? At this age, it's likely not very efficient anymore, and that could contribute to higher transmission temps.
  • Tyler0215's avatar
    Tyler0215
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2019
    If the transmission overheated, change the fluid NOW. Get a HD transmission cooler.
    Nothing kills a transmission quicker than overheating.
  • jimx200's avatar
    jimx200
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2019
    We're you on Old Priest Grade? If so, it's a real steep haul up and I have seen cars and trucks off to the side with overheating problems. HD transmission coolers really help. Good luck

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