Transmission Overheated on my Ford E350 Chassis Shasta

[Johnny_Dearborn]

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

[carringb]

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]

If the transmission overheated, change the fluid NOW. Get a HD transmission cooler.
Nothing kills a transmission quicker than overheating.

[jimx200]

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