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nightshift's avatar
nightshift
Explorer
Oct 24, 2023

Dreaded White Smoke From Power Stroke

So, there I was in my 24 ft Bigfoot class C, happily climbing the steep Coquihalla in the hot summer weather listening to my screaming radiator fan keeping my temp gauge squarely in the middle. DW was comfy with the AC on and everything was going swimmingly until I spotted a thick cloud of white smoke in my wing mirror. Oh no. I quickly pulled over to a thankfully close lay-by and faced into the wind. I kept the engine running. I had visions of a ruined vacation, a long tow truck ride and a $7,000 repair bill to Bullet Proof my engine.
Popped the hood and saw red fluid spewed all over. It was from the tranny filler! It turns out I had slightly overfilled it and when it overheated it puked out, ran down onto hot parts and caused the white smoke. After 15 minutes of cooldown it was time to climb. But this time AC off and lower speed. I think I dodged a bullet.
My question is, has anyone added a tranny cooler to their E450 6.0? There's probably about six of you out there. How about a temp gauge? When I bought the unit a diesel guy said the engine temp gauge is pretty much indicating what the tranny is doing because the cooling systems are well matched. Any thoughts?
The drained fluid was still nice and pink so I don't think I harmed anything.
Class C
  • JaxDad's avatar
    JaxDad
    Explorer III
    Oct 24, 2023
    I have several 6.0 with auto rigs, all pickups or vans though, but the same issues.

    There is a test port with a threaded plug that can be removed and a temperature sender inserted. In ours it connects to a pillar-mounted temperature gauge. It’s saved our bacon a few times. In the few units that really work there is also an addition cooler.

    It’s all pretty cheap protection.
  • bobndot's avatar
    bobndot
    Explorer II
    Oct 24, 2023
    My stock 24’ 2018 E450 6.8 v-10 runs between 190-210 on an average as per my SG trans temps. Long uphill runs on a 95F day shows 210F or so. Running on flat ground on a 95F day it shows 195F.
    The v-10 has an integral trans cooler from the factory AFAIK but some owners have added an external unit in front of the radiator for extra cooling.

    Some owners say the V-10 doesn’t need a trans cooler while others have installed one.
    There are many Youtube videos on how-to and how-not to install one.

    From what i’ve been told. Trans temp is the most accurate at the torque converter temp. The highest temp the fluid will reach. If your sender is in the pan you’re not going to get an accurate reading.
    The factory designs this system to ‘balance’ temps between trans fluid and engine oil. Having your radiator, having it clean and flowing is a plus.

    Many rv owners run these stock Fords over 100k miles without any trans issues. Its possible to run trans temps too cool . In that case, moisture in the system would remain in the system. That’s not good. If you decide to do an add-on cooler, make sure your installer knows what he is doing. Like a reputable trans shop.
  • MDKMDK's avatar
    MDKMDK
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2023
    You could pick up a ScanGauge and either request they program it for your specific engine (not sure if they still do this), or you could get the SG with the preprogrammed gauges, and add the X-gauges you want from their website. If they'll do the programming for you, that's the easiest route. Or, here are some user programmable X-Gauges from their website. I think you said 6L Powerstroke? Transmission fluid temperature is in the list.
    https://www.scangauge.com/x-gauge-commands/6-0l-diesel/

    I've got 2, one for my MB 3L V6 turbo-diesel, and one for my Wrangler. It's nice having the fluid temp gauges. Temps can tell you a lot about what's going on under the hood.

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