Transmission Trouble - HELP!

[ebg338]

Hello All,

RV is a 2007 Winniebago Sightseer 35J on a Ford F53 chassis with 52,500 miles. Had the transmission serviced (flushed) at a Ford dealer (handles F53's regularly) at ~51,000 miles.

So I'm driving on 90 West just outside of Soux Falls SD doing about 63 mph at ~2,400 RPM. Some hills but nothing major, been on the road for a few hours. All the sudden there is smoke billowing out the back. Pull over immediately and find the smoke is being caused by transmission fluid hitting the exhaust pipes. The tranny fluid is no longer leaking. After inspection it appears it was coming from the overflow tube - I could find no issues with any connections. I check the fluid level and it's filled exactly to the proper fill mark (even after a good bit poured out). After about 1/2 hour we started it up again and drove to a nearby campground (~5 miles away). Had the cover off and kept a close eye on it and no additional fluid came out. At no time did the tranny feel "off" - no slippage, no hard shifting, no burning smell. I have a tow truck lined up to come to the campground at 6 am tomorrow morning to take it to a tranny shop.

So here are my questions.

Has anyone else experienced this issue before? If so, any thoughts on the cause?

Am I correct in assuming there is something wrong with the tranny or is it possible that it was overfilled and this caused the problem?

Any additional thoughts / recommendations on this are greatly appreciated as always.

Thanks,
Bill

["007"]

Bill I would say the tech over filled your trans, when fluid heated it found relief out the over flow tube.
When you get ready to leave, with engine running, check the level in PARK for level read on stick COLD.

[GG1]

One other possibility if not the trans fluiud. Have you tried your slides or jacks, if you blew a hydraulic hose it would smoke like crazy if the fluid got onto hot engine parts the fluid looks like and sometimes is trans fluid.

[John Hilley]

My bet would be that it was over filled when you had it flushed. The fact that the transmission works normally and no further leaks indicates that.

[ebg338]

007,

If the level checks out ok cold you think I'm okay giving it a go? If it starts leaking again I'm thinking the worst case scenario is I'll just have to stop again and get it to a tranny shop - no worse than what I'm dealing with now.

GG1,

I'm 100% sure it's tranny fluid. Was all over the top of the tranny and my hydraulics all look good.

Thanks very much to both of you for the quick responses.

Bill

[GOLDWINGER2]

Tranny level was probably to high, it doesn't take much. Fluid gets hot, foams up and spews out.
J

[RJay]

I also think the tech overfilled the transmission. If everything looks good I would drive it around town for a while so if anything happens you can take it to a shop.

[GOLDWINGER2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebg338 007, If the level checks out ok cold you think I'm okay giving it a go? If it starts leaking again I'm thinking the worst case scenario is I'll just have to stop again and get it to a tranny shop - no worse than what I'm dealing with now. GG1, I'm 100% sure it's tranny fluid. Was all over the top of the tranny and my hydraulics all look good. Thanks very much to both of you for the quick responses. Bill

Before you hit that trans shop, try to withdraw some fluid with a suction device and a long hose. A lot of shops will go straight to the "you need a rebuild" diagnosis. Check the fluid hot on level ground. Hot is when the fluid has expanded. The tech checked it cold and added more.
J
J

[ga traveler]

There is one more thing thing that can cause this. I had several customers who brought their motorhomes in with this compliant. Some were overfilled and the others had dirt daubers stopping up the vent hose for the trans. Try to blow through the vent hose to see if it is open.

[ebg338]

GA Traveler,

Can you tell me the location of the vent hose? I only see the overflow cap on the top center of the trans, is there another hose in addition to the overflow?

Thanks,
Bill

[ga traveler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebg338 GA Traveler, Can you tell me the location of the vent hose? I only see the overflow cap on the top center of the trans, is there another hose in addition to the overflow? Thanks, Bill

On my 99 F53, It is on the top center of the trans. and runs down the left side. (drivers side) Some of the newer cars and trucks have a vent cap, instead of a hose. Perhaps someone with your year coach will check this for you.