All ActivityMost RecentMost LikesSolutionsRe: Excursion overheats&leaks tranny fl towing going 50,uphillThanks y'all! Southpaw, I hear you but the investment has been huge... Had we known to quit at the first breakdown (before trip)... We just finally turned NORTH but not notifying family till we make it out of the confederacy...if we break down again, I'll leave it to another post. Thx again for all the ideas and advice!Re: Excursion overheats&leaks tranny fl towing going 50,uphillI hear you all loud and clear on the transmission cooler -- if we have tranny issues that is the first thing we will do. The diesel guy who replaced the radiator was pretty adamant on dont waste your money on things you don't need, that isn't he problem--the overheating problem is resolved with the radiator. What the shop we got towed to last night (lost power to engine, check engine light came on, no tranny fluid or overheating) is that the code Dx said valve cover gasket...injectors not firing on left side of engine they are replacing and hopefully that will correct this new issue. Any one had something like this happen suddenly?Re: Excursion overheats&leaks tranny fl towing going 50,uphillThe transmission is no longer leaking. The fluid is red, no burnt smell.Re: Excursion overheats&leaks tranny fl towing going 50,uphillI didn't think I was bemoaning, I thought it was polite to come back and acknowledge the responses. I'll try to stick to the facts as I am definitely here for advice not pity. The mechanic's theory was that the engine was so hot from clogged radiator that it heated the transmission fluid because the fluid was not burned and only poured out when the engine overheated and stopped with the new radiator. So we got about 60 miles down the road- engine running nice and cool. Stopped at a truck stop to fill up with diesel. 10 miles down the road broke down AGAIN! Engine cool--but stopped getting power. It's like we ran out of gas, like gas wasn't getting to engine or we were stuck in high gear because car shook and was idling high and stopped moving. So now we've been towed to another campground and excursion towed to their truck/auto repair where they willl look in the AM. So disappointing after all the time and expense. So that's all I know: not overheating issue anymore...could they have jarred something during installation? Something weird with full tank of diesel?! Or jarred further by feuling process, or unrelated. "Service Engine Soon" light came on. Head gaskets were checked and previous shop had no codes but maybe now they will...no fluid leaking and the levels are good. Hubby did drive with cruise control on which probably isn't related but I suggested might not be safe...just trying to provide all details!!Re: Excursion overheats&leaks tranny fl towing going 50,uphillThank you all for the posts and advice--and link to the diesel site. We are getting a new radiator today. Will either be on our way--after 9 days, because we should have gone to a diesel shop tomatoey, others could have done it but they just don't see these ptoblems and are apparently afraid of these older diesel vehicles, they don't see a lot of our issues--or limp back home and go back to our lives for a bit as we get it worked on locally.Re: Excursion overheats&leaks tranny fl towing going 50,uphillThe thing about the transmission fluid: the mechanics are fairly certain that the engine overheating (main problem) is causing the transmission to overheat as it only happens concurrently. So engine overheating troubleshooting is the route they are pursuing. Not sure if a transmission could conversely overheat the engine? If anyone wants to throw anything new out there, I will take it to them. We do have an external transmission cooler and it appears (appears) to be functional. But so far everyone has gotten it wrong. The dealer said transmission replacement (at top $), the transmission guy (didn't charge us, nice shop) tried thermostat and then said their friend the diesel mechanic (?) thought it was a head gasket. OUR diesel mechanic friend said not likely, try water pump. Diesel shop found the stuck insulation (that would have been so simple!) and are gonna do radiator/water pump Monfay morning. So anything else to bring to their attention while they have things taken apart? Trying one thing at a time is already a week into vacation...if there is anything else fairly simple worth having done at same time throw it out there!Re: Excursion overheats&leaks tranny fl towing going 50,uphillWell here we are, day 5 of vacation, still stranded and having been separated from $1000 in worthless repairs. At least we didn't get a new transmission for no reason we be out our whole vacation fund. We have a new fan clutch a new thermostat and removed a huge chunk of insulation from the air intakeā¦ well that wasn't useless. But did not resolve the problem. We do have an external cooler but on Monday they are going to do the radiator and put in a new water pump. All the diagnostics are clean and they are scratching their heads to but think the water pump is the most likely culprit and might as well do the radiator at the same time. I appreciate ongoing and previous suggestions from everyone. We can ask again about the cooler but were assured it was fine and that we had the built in and asked her know. At least this third shop is diesel specialists and seem to be doing a much more thorough jobRe: Excursion overheats&leaks tranny fl towing going 50,uphillHumbled to get so many thoughful replies and lots to think about. Going to a local transmission/repair shop in am that has many great ratings online for 2nd (well, after this about 10th lol) opinion. It's a pretty sobering thought to magne paying for a new transmission only to STILL have the issue. Beg borrow (not steal) is unfortunately maxed out at this point. We had a lot of work done by an experienced and trustworthy diesel mechanic at home and I mean a lot to get road-ready. Whole front end, springs and shocks, sway bar, and various little issues the vehicle came with having been bought used with the miles. I was so convinced going with a tt was the way to go, we had a small class A and then a class C but it was tight with a big family. Love this trailer but seeing these F450 longer class c's in the RV park is making me jealous now. Praying to a happy " ending" (ongoing adventure) here. The Ford dealer actually priced us a heavy duty transmission. Asked manager and mechanic what it did better, they said they had no idea (except they'd install it for another grand). Literally they had no idea what it did different or if it would help. You guys inspire moe confidence than they did pretty sad. I appreciate your time and will def update in hopes of helping someone else down the line.Excursion overheats&leaks tranny fl towing going 50,uphillHello. This is our first time out in our new travel trailer with new to us 2001 Excurion 7.3 diesel. Towing 2015 open range 310bhs 9500 lbs. We got 40 miles out of town to notice overheating issues, made it to state line, stopped for fuel and to get service. We noticed tranny fluid leaking then gushing from under the car. We got towed to ford dealership. First day nothing on diagnostics. Second day, it's fan clutch. That didn't sound that likely from our reading on the problem, but they were adamant. $600 later we got back on interstate and drove 5 miles and back to dealership. Now they are saying must be two sep issues requiring new radiator AND new tranny. Now, this transmission works great when not towing, shifts great, never overheats. Same with the tranny fluid leak--only when towing. We were supposed to be off on a 6-week dream trip planned forever. Us and 5 kids. If we need to replace all that, there goes our vacation fund and we can go somewhere for a week, then home. We don't have a lot of money, we have invested so much in this dream. The excursion has cost us $6k over purchase price already. If anyone has experienced or heard of or has any other ideas, we're pretty bummed. Having fun camping but we would like to be able to pull out trailer. We have to do something soon. Thanks!