Update on transmission leak

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29346314/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm

Thought I would post this follow up to the problem I posted in the above post link.

I took truck to independent transmission shop. Now I am not a mechanic and didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night so I am just passing on what told and the results of the work. This shop and owner have been in business for 40 years and come highly recommended so I felt comfortable with them.

First suggestion from the owner was to sell the Ford and buy a GMC to tow with (joke). He drives and tows with a GMC. He was not sure of the extent of my problem at first but said Ford transmissions are infamous for this kind of leak from the front seal due to the compound of the seal. He said when the seal gets hot it will leak and if you take it to Ford they replace it with the same seal. He was unable to pinpoint any fluid leaking while the trans was still on the truck. He told me if he pulled the transmission and there was fluid in the vent, he would think about replacing the torque converter with a heavier one. If no fluid in the vent, just replace the seal since the fluid was good and had not been overheated while towing. Well there was no fluid in the vent so only the seal was replaced with a new aftermarket seal made of a different compound.

Today I took the trailer out towed it hard for a little over an hour and about 60 miles. When I got home and backed in the drive, where I would normally see fluid leaking, there was not any sign of a leak. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the seal was the issue.

Two things mentioned here and on another forum were a bigger cooler and chipping the truck. We discussed both those issues and this mechanic said the stock cooler was sufficient and chipping was a great way to burn a transmission up. I don't know but so far the seal has me back towing and camping so I'm hoping this is the end of that issue.

DiskDoctr
Explorer
Aug 13, 2017
Ron3rd wrote:
Sounds like you found a mechanic that knows what he's talking about.

Uhm...no. This platform is specialized and very well known in certain circles. The "mechanic" gave BAD advice of the most basic nature on something considered general knowledge in the experienced community (including Ford engineers).

Please do not reinforce BAD information, especially when you obviously do not know the platform, either.

Edit to add: OP is free to do whatever he likes, including trading for a Chevy or Dodge, but giving bad information due to "brand loyaly" can be harmful and doesn't belong in a thread asking for legitimate advice.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Aug 13, 2017
I don't know about the heavy duty pickups but, I had a 2004 Chevy half ton and the transmission went out at 80000 miles. Everyone I talked to with that pickup put a transmission in them between 80000- 130000 miles.

I would never trust a mechanic that told me to go buy a Chevy to work on my Ford. That sort of mechanic is bias toward Chevy's and will not do as good of work on a Ford. If they even know how to do it at all. Chevy mechanics usually screw up Fords because they try to adjust them all wrong.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Aug 13, 2017
Sounds like you found a mechanic that knows what he's talking about.
Baja_Man
Explorer
Aug 13, 2017
I agree with others on adding what is referred to as the 6.0L trans cooler. Matter of fact I just purchased one yesterday to add to my 2003 6.8L V10 with 4R100. Just shy of $300 at dealer. You can also get from one from Dorman for about $180. I went with Ford OEM. Both of these coolers are direct bolt on in place of original cooler with only (2) 3/8" to 1/2" hose barbs and some 1/2" trans hose needed for plumbing.

I also added a ScanGaugeII and can monitor trans temps very accurately.

You many want to consider these two items if you are towing.
westend
Explorer
Aug 13, 2017
pickjare wrote:
Weather you drive a Ford, GM, or Chrysler, the engineers at each respective company, and the technicians working at the dealer, have far better understanding of what/how a seal needs to be made. Maybe your old Ford seal (with how many reliable miles?) just wore out. But more than likely, your transmission is creating too much heat while towing. If a leak returns, see the best Ford dealership you can find as they will be the most trained/experienced on what needs done.
Maybe in the manner of transmission seals but Ford material science nearly got me.

FWIW, I have just shy of 200K on a 4R100 mated to a 5.4. AFAIK, it's never leaked. It has "been rode hard and put up wet" a few times but I live in cold country. The tranny cooler is larger than the one pictured for the diesel.
pickjare
Explorer
Aug 13, 2017
Weather you drive a Ford, GM, or Chrysler, the engineers at each respective company, and the technicians working at the dealer, have far better understanding of what/how a seal needs to be made. Maybe your old Ford seal (with how many reliable miles?) just wore out. But more than likely, your transmission is creating too much heat while towing. If a leak returns, see the best Ford dealership you can find as they will be the most trained/experienced on what needs done.
Tiger02
Explorer
Aug 13, 2017
Bottom line is that the stock cooler is not sufficient as Disk Doctor said, the 6.0 cooler is hard to beat. That said the right (mild) tune for towing can help the transmission with better towing shift points. I paid 4K for a BTS, but drive with confidence knowing I'll never need another tranny.
DiskDoctr
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
looper wrote:
Two things mentioned here and on another forum were a bigger cooler and chipping the truck. We discussed both those issues and this mechanic said the stock cooler was sufficient and chipping was a great way to burn a transmission up.

Any mechanic telling you the stock cooler is "sufficient" for towing in the 4R100/7.3L platform does not know the platform very well :(

Take a look at this thread to see the difference: Transmission Cooler Upgrade

One of the first things I did was swap for the 6.0 cooler and swapped in a John Woods valve body, which works MUCH better for the transmission than tunes that increase pressures in the transmission.

A tuner with good tunes is quite safe for your truck, though as with many other things, asking for more power and performance from your truck does cause additional stress. Any good tuner (ie Hydra) will allow you to switch between tunes- including a "tow tune" that behaves itself quite well when towing.

If you want to, having a HD4R100 or a built heavy duty transmission with matching torque converter installed can be worth it, but vary in price.

In the end it is your choice, but be sure you are looking at accurate information ;)
nohurry
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
Re: "chipping". You can do a lot with your 7.3, and it won't hurt it a bit, but you don't need to for what you're towing. You can however improve your trans performance, and actually keep it cooler by using a programmer to increase line pressure, making shifts quicker (less heat build up), and if desired increase the RPM at which shifts occur. It would also keep the torque converter from unlocking as much. I did this on my 2003 F150, it was a towing tune, and it IMHO helped with trans temps, and longevity. You've got a good truck there, so good luck, and I hope your leak problem is solved.
looper
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
midnightsadie wrote:
sounds good . I,d never chip any truck. if the factory wanted the truck to do beyond its normal range they,d have done it.people chip them then wonder why it broke.

Agreed! I just want my truck to do what it was designed to do.