Running HOT in the Dunes

[rockylaurence]

The 4L wants to get hot when run-n the dunes and Puke it's coolant and tranny fluid. The truck will run on the high way and on the trials all day long but in the dunes it over heats quickly. I did notice that in that situation that the torque converter never locks up and the RPMs are high (3500). Could it be the added resistance of the tires? Because if I air down to 10 PSI or less it wants to run hot also. I believe that I'm moving enough air over the radiator and the Tstat is good. Furthermore, I don't have any real leaks and I don't think that there is any restrictions in the radiator. Has anyone else experience this problem in the past and been able to correct it? :redexp:

 

[rockylaurence]

Any ideas--anyone?

I still haven't found the cause and wonder if it is related to the trany Puking fluid. Has anyone had fluid leak from the Torque converter or shaft seal but only when its hot?

 

[TPLYNCH]

Your tranny cooler may be clogged (the one in the radiator), so it doesnt cool the fluid as well when you're running in the sand, putting extra stress on the system, causing your pressure to rise and the tranny to puke. Change out the fluid, and if you haven't already, add a auxiliary cooler.

 

[Alec]

ditto that advice. A good radiator flush should do wonders, but make sure they flush the tranny side also. And an aux cooler is always a good idea. I got a midgrade one from pepboys and it works well. You might also look into an engine oil cooler. You could get a dual aux cooler to do both.

 

[rockylaurence]

I never checked the cooler inside the Rad..I know that the Aux cooler is in good shape because I checked it (removed it and blew it out) the other day. I know that the fluid is leaking between the engine and belhousing. I've checked everything on the outside to try and locate the area that it's leaking from (I thought it might be coming from the vent and dripping down--it's not).
Thanks guys:redexp:

 

[Alec]

I think that's what Leebo's started doing in Moab, puking from the front of the tranny. You might just need to get it pulled and replace the gaskets and seals, and check out the tq conv while you're at it.

 

[SteveVB]

tranny time

Sounds like the tranny is heating up, how many miles? I bet you need new bands, maybe a torque converter. I would have it looked at soon. Running it hot will start to destroy hard parts , if it hasnt already, if you dont get the bands and seals replaced. The heat has already destroyed the soft seals- ie the pump leak, this seems to be the warning shot from the A4LD, says - I should have had my internals replaced 5000 miles AGO.... I had mine happen on side of a mountain 3 hours from my house.

Good luck,

while your in there think about the Transgo or Superior shift kit and adding clutch to the OD drum, get a brazed converter also.

 

[rockylaurence]

Copy that.
Steve, it doesn't leak all the time. I drive it every day with no problems, however, if I run it hard (high RPMs in the Dunes-heavy sand) it will run hot (engine temp) and trany fluid will start pouring out onto the ground. This is when I have tried to find the leaking area--to no avail. The fluid is coming from the front some where. After I let it cool, it stops leaking--until the next BEATING!??

Note: it has done this for several years now and the trany has always shifted and run fine.

Crazy Hah!!??:fire:

 

[rockylaurence]

Captn Buc

Buc. your problem sounds simular to mine except mine doesn't continue to leak after it cools donw. Could it be that the vent is blocked and pressure can't excape when it gets hot?