Tranny Fluid Leakage After Climbing Mountain
skaukatt
10-17-2006, 01:15 PM
Hello Folks,
Just back from the beautiful state of Vermont where I had an issue with my 2000 Taurus Wagon. The family decided we would like to climb Mt. Equinox to see the sights from up top. I began our ascent in overdrive but decided to downshift to regular drive "D" or second gear (there is also a "1" on my shifter but I did not use it) due to the steep grade. I was maxing out at about 3000 rpm and about 40 mph for an extended period of the drive up (probably not a good thing). As we approached the summit we detected a burning smell and saw smoke out the back maybe out of the exhaust? Upon reaching the summit and pulling into a parking spot I noticed a puddle of tranny fluid under the car and saw it spewing out from about the area of the pan. Now in shock, I let the car cool and noticed about 4 other cars with their hoods up spewing coolant and tranny fluid to varying degrees. We waited about 30 minutes to cool her down and began our descent. I then proceeded to a gas station where I filled it up with 1 quart of tranny fluid - that's all it needed. I detected no further leakage and the car ran like a top, as it was prior to the incident. Made it home, NYC, without any further incident. I am currently having the fluid and filter changed jin the event that what fluid is in there is cooked beyond usefulness.
So, is there a reason that my Taurus spewed the fluid? Was I pushing the limits of second gear at 3000 rpm and 40 mph? Should I have just left in in normal overdrive? Any thoughts or comments would be welcome.
Thanks,
Lou, NY
Just back from the beautiful state of Vermont where I had an issue with my 2000 Taurus Wagon. The family decided we would like to climb Mt. Equinox to see the sights from up top. I began our ascent in overdrive but decided to downshift to regular drive "D" or second gear (there is also a "1" on my shifter but I did not use it) due to the steep grade. I was maxing out at about 3000 rpm and about 40 mph for an extended period of the drive up (probably not a good thing). As we approached the summit we detected a burning smell and saw smoke out the back maybe out of the exhaust? Upon reaching the summit and pulling into a parking spot I noticed a puddle of tranny fluid under the car and saw it spewing out from about the area of the pan. Now in shock, I let the car cool and noticed about 4 other cars with their hoods up spewing coolant and tranny fluid to varying degrees. We waited about 30 minutes to cool her down and began our descent. I then proceeded to a gas station where I filled it up with 1 quart of tranny fluid - that's all it needed. I detected no further leakage and the car ran like a top, as it was prior to the incident. Made it home, NYC, without any further incident. I am currently having the fluid and filter changed jin the event that what fluid is in there is cooked beyond usefulness.
So, is there a reason that my Taurus spewed the fluid? Was I pushing the limits of second gear at 3000 rpm and 40 mph? Should I have just left in in normal overdrive? Any thoughts or comments would be welcome.
Thanks,
Lou, NY
Millermagic
10-17-2006, 08:12 PM
You overheated the trans quite badly. The best thing would have been to put it in 1 and go like 20mph.
Millermagic
10-18-2006, 12:41 PM
I should add that it would be a good time for you to get a trans flush.
skaukatt
10-20-2006, 02:34 PM
Thanks for the tip I did just that in case the rest of the remaining fluid got cooked. I had a tranny kit job done and there was no "tin foil" shavings in the pan and the remaining fluid was not so bad off. I think I dodged a bullet here as my waranty expires tomorrow!
Lou
Lou
Millermagic
10-20-2006, 03:19 PM
When the trans fluid gets too hot, it tends to boil over.
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