Forum Discussion

tinstartrvlr's avatar
tinstartrvlr
Explorer
Oct 05, 2017

Any drivetrain gurus out there?

Recently on a cross country trip, 2017 Ford f250 6.2 liter, I encountered a long uphill grade. Not terribly steep, just long. The transmission, even in tow haul, shifted frequently and, since I had to keep my foot in gas pedal, shifted hard several times into lower gears. Quite often it shifted hard all the way down to 2nd gear just to maintain a speed of about 35. Again, this wasn't a very steep grade. Also, only pulling 8k trailer (loaded).

I wasn't really pleased with the performance of the truck on any grade, but that's another story.

So here's my concern. After the long hill, I stopped for gas. I could smell gear oil (like differential oil). I looked underneath and there was nothing leaking. Checked the tranny fluid and it was nice and pink. The trans temp, according to the gauge, was only a couple degrees above normal (203-204).

I didn't think things were being overworked, but maybe so.

Anyone have any thoughts as to what would cause the smell?

Also, took it to the dealer and they couldn't find anything wrong.
Tow Vehicles
  • xtech's avatar
    xtech
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2017
    Agree with above post. We pull 10000 pounds with 6.2 and 4.30 axle. I seldom use drive and tow haul in hilly terrain. Put it in M and control shifts yourself. I anticipate the hill, shift down before it starts to struggle and then use a gear that keeps RPM at about 3500 to 4000 RPM and 45 to 50 MPH using only moderate throttle. I never put my foot to floor and am not worried if I lose speed on hills. If that so concerned me I would have a diesel, so what if I get to top of hill a minute later than a diesel would. The 6.2 pulls hard in the mid range and I have seldom felt the need to run it much beyond 4000, but if you do it will really pull hard, but why flog it, its not a sin to slow down a bit on a hill!
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 05, 2017
    When transmission starting shifting gears back/forth.....STOP letting it do that

    Drop down a gear and hold that until you made top of grade.

    "Hunting" generates excessive heat...trans cooler controlled oil return temp but tranny oil was getting worked real hard
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Oct 05, 2017
    The driver is the problem!
    You need to adjust your driving habits for your truck. You need to slow down going up the hills, find which gear and engine RPMs that it likes.
    Depending on hill, you could be in second or third gear at about 3000 RPMs in many rigs.
    Your engine and transmission gear lube got hot. It should be OK.

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