Tranny overheat problem, Help!

[Stressed11]

Hey guys I,m in the mountains in Colorado, and my transmission overheated during a 3,000 foot climb pulling my 9,000 lb travel trailer. The next day I got an overheat problem with just the truck. I checked the fluid and it was down two quarts. I topped it off and it seems to be ok now. My question is is that enough to cause the overheat or is there something else? I'm thinking a fluid and filter change before heading home, it can't hurt. I don't have to do the same pass on the way home, but there are some good sized ones. Also I'm running a superchips tow safe program, can this be causing my trouble? Any help would be great.

Thanks Stressed11

[SuperCrutyPS]

I would think you would be okay with it in Tow Safe mode. It also depends on how hard you were pushing it. 2qts low was likely the issue, but why was it low?

If you're going to be towing a lot, you may want to consider a larger tranny cooler.

[somebodyelse5]

Originally Posted by SuperCrutyPS

I would think you would be okay with it in Tow Safe mode. It also depends on how hard you were pushing it. 2qts low was likely the issue, but why was it low?

If you're going to be towing a lot, you may want to consider a larger tranny cooler.

X2 for the bigger tranny cooler

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

+ 1 more... the stock trans cooler is a joke... and our trans tend to overheat....

what temps were you at when your trans overheated?

[Stressed11]

The trans never got into the yellow, I pulled over and let it cool before that. Also the fluid still looks good, and does not smell burnt. I'll change it anyway when I get home. I'll also opt for the x-tra cooler, this will not be my last trip to the mountains.

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

if your using your stock trans gauge to guess your trans temp dont... that thing is very inaccurate.... instead of spending money and changing the fluid spend it on a good set of gauges....

[Stressed11]

Ok I'm back home. Here is the deal.... I was running a superchips program, the program was causing me to get CELs and a strange noise in the turbo when making the climb up the mountians. I suspected this so I ran stock coming home, and I had no CELs or transmission heat problems. Basically it ran like it did last year, trouble free. The program gave me better mileage when not towing, but nothing but problems while towing. I won't use the tow safe program in the mountains again.

[sisiryder]

Originally Posted by Raul@Stealth Automotive

if your using your stock trans gauge to guess your trans temp dont... that thing is very inaccurate.... instead of spending money and changing the fluid spend it on a good set of gauges....

I have a 2000 F-350, 7.3,4wd, and I am having some overheating issues when towing upgrades and in traffic. I'm pulling a 12000 # toyhauler. My guages are the pillar mounted guages on the post between the drivers side window and the windshield. You said that they aren't accurate. Is there a replacement guage that woukd mount in the same hole? I have also been searching for a cooler with a fan. I've seen so many and so many different prices that I am confused. I had a cooler and fan installed on my previous truck, which was a 1996 F250, and it worked great. I dont seem to have as much room to mount one on this 2000 truck because the a/c condenser is spaced out further from the radiator. Do you have any recommendations or solutions? I thank you,Sisiryder

[sfagan]

Interested to hear any solutions to the above posting--I know nothing, but just bought a 2002 F250 7.3L, and a friend was telling me how bad the tranny is. I plan on pulling a horse trailer, usually probably only 4000# or so, but would like to be able to carry 8000. Is it really that bad? He was saying it is the same transmission as ford puts in there passenger cars. What can be done, aside from buying a new heavy duty transmission? This truck has 81000 miles on it, so I am afraid that it may go soon (though it seems to run fine now). I don't want to get stranded!

[somebodyelse5]

Originally Posted by sfagan

Interested to hear any solutions to the above posting--I know nothing, but just bought a 2002 F250 7.3L, and a friend was telling me how bad the tranny is. I plan on pulling a horse trailer, usually probably only 4000# or so, but would like to be able to carry 8000. Is it really that bad? He was saying it is the same transmission as ford puts in there passenger cars. What can be done, aside from buying a new heavy duty transmission? This truck has 81000 miles on it, so I am afraid that it may go soon (though it seems to run fine now). I don't want to get stranded!

Thats the first time ive heard this, and am pretty sure its not true...

your buddy probably drives a dodge doesnt he?

It may not be GREAT but its not THAT bad....i can tow the boat fine. My Edge has messed with my tranny tho