OldSchool

I was towing my boat last weekend a little faster than I probably should have been and I started smelling trans fluid. It didn't blow up and seems to be OK, but this weekend I smelled it again (not as bad). It's a 95 Tahoe 5.7 4wd. Does this mean its going to blow or would servicing it maybe take care of it?

No, I didn't tow in overdrive. Thanks in advance- Craig

Gary C

Sounds like you are a little hot. Bring it in for service and let them check it. Does it shift hard when not towing? I have a 97 GMC that needed a new trans at 52k miles. Do you have any fluid under your truck? If they get hot they blow out some fluid. Hope this helps. Good luck, hope it's not too bad

excaleagle42

craig, it would be a good idea to get a trans cooler if your not running one now.

OldSchool

It hasn't been leaking at all and the only time that it smells is when i'm towing. Shifting is good, but my question is, does overheating it hurt the trans or just make the fluid stink
I'm pretty sure it has a cooler on it, but i'll have to look.
Thanks again, Craig

excaleagle42

overheating trans are the #1 reason for trans failure and towing makes it much worse. if your fluid is burned and stinks and you keep it that way you will need a rebuild sooner than later. if you have a trans cooler, you can add another if needed and still keep your original. synthetic trans fluid won't degrade as fast as regular under towing heat.

Iggy

Burned trans fluid smells like burnt almonds and will be a dark red to brown red in color.
If you suspect it was over heated change it ASAP! Make sure the mechanic drains the torque converter too, if it can be drained. Why? Because it holds around 5 to 7 quarts of dirty fluid all by itself.
When I changed mine I drained the converter also and it took 14 quarts to fill the system. Normally it takes about 6 or 7.

You need to find out why it was over heating.
Were you towing while it was in Overdrive? You shouldn't be.
I know a lot of people do tow in OD but my manual (Ford) says not to. A lot of articles I've read say the same thing "No towing in OD!".
If you experience another episode of over heating I'd get an auxiliary oil cooler to add to the system and plumb it in series with the one in the radiator.

FloridianSon

I agree I went to pepboys to day and add the add on cooler today as I had some trouble over the weekend was real easy,and then took it to shop and changed oil filter!Also check your antifreeze it could be getting weak and it will not cool as well

mopower

My 95 Tahoe manual said do NOT tow in OD. My 1998 manual says YES use OD . I checked with the dealer and all they could say was "well if that's what the maual sez to do...OK I guess" .
Really makes you wonder if they know what's going on

MitchStellin

The whole idea of towing out of OD is to spin the motor faster which spins the pump on the trans faster which cools the trans better. Thats it. But it works.

OldSchool

Thanks everyone for the input! I'm going to change the fluid and filter tommorrow as well as my antifreeze. I'm also going to add an external cooler.

Thanks again- Craig