F-150 fan clutch issue: second act
Re: this first thread, today I got a chance to hitch up and try out my new $2700 repair (torque converter, valve body, cooling radiator unit, misc. new clamp, fluids, and gaskets). This was supposed t...
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Only update to this point is, my last trip a week ago proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that the issue is alive and well. In fact....I might be persuaded it got worse!
Towing about 3 hours in 85 degree temps, rolling hills and smallish PA mountains (up Rt.15 along the Susquehanna in OD at 60 mph, then onto Rt. 80 West with bigger hills, running in drive and low 2 at 63mph ish) the trans was ok until Rt 80 when I had to dig into the go pedal regularly. I pressed my button and got some good readings three times, but I'm almost sorry I did so soon, because at one point later on the "trans fault" came up and the torque converter refused to unlock, I presume because once it reaches a certain temp it locks it up to prevent higher heat build up. Not sure it ever did that before. I shifted between the gears fine, but would not unlock the converter no matter how hard I tried. Even up a grade while feathering in more throttle, it would only down shift. This was the first trip I recall actually smelling trans fluid upon arrival, though close inspection revealed nothing leaking anywhere. By the time I got stopped and shot the pan with my IR thermometer, the temp was 248 degrees. Hard to say what it was out on the road pulling. Needless to say...HOT!
Tomorrow is the big day. I take the whole rig over and drive the tech around. Should be interesting.
Towing about 3 hours in 85 degree temps, rolling hills and smallish PA mountains (up Rt.15 along the Susquehanna in OD at 60 mph, then onto Rt. 80 West with bigger hills, running in drive and low 2 at 63mph ish) the trans was ok until Rt 80 when I had to dig into the go pedal regularly. I pressed my button and got some good readings three times, but I'm almost sorry I did so soon, because at one point later on the "trans fault" came up and the torque converter refused to unlock, I presume because once it reaches a certain temp it locks it up to prevent higher heat build up. Not sure it ever did that before. I shifted between the gears fine, but would not unlock the converter no matter how hard I tried. Even up a grade while feathering in more throttle, it would only down shift. This was the first trip I recall actually smelling trans fluid upon arrival, though close inspection revealed nothing leaking anywhere. By the time I got stopped and shot the pan with my IR thermometer, the temp was 248 degrees. Hard to say what it was out on the road pulling. Needless to say...HOT!
Tomorrow is the big day. I take the whole rig over and drive the tech around. Should be interesting.
