F250 transmission leak

Pulling a hay load in a field while loading hay started getting a transmission leak on my 2000 F250. Reading online about the seal leaking when hot. So I plan to replace the seal with the better viton seal.. and adding a cooler with fan so when pulling in field It will still cool the fluid. I also plan to change filter and flush and change fluid. Has any one else had this problem and is there anything else I can do to help this transmission out.. maybe a heavier torque converter??? It quit leaking after cooled and hasn't leaked since..shifts fine.but would like to make changes to keep it working..any suggestions are appreciated.. thanks

Friend had an older Ford that would do that. It wasn't coming out the front seal, but a breather pipe above it. Would only do it when pulling the travel trailer in hot weather. Added an aux cooler and a deep pan with cooling tubes. Seemed to remedy it, but evidently some damage was already done. The transmission had to be rebuilt a couple years later, never worked right again...

If the truck is a 4x4.
It will be a lot easier on it if you put it in low range while you are going from bale to bale.

Ryder and Hertz Ford trucks, some of U-hauls have a tranny equipment package that keeps them going in abusive conditions. External oil cooler is one thing, same thermostatic fan as used on radiators in some of the small cars--and a external oil filter inline with the cooler lines. Standard large Ford truck filter that gets changed about every other engine oil change. The tranny oil capacity compared to standard is about a extra 1/2 gallon or so, fresh tranny fluid needed added every filter change so level is monitored much more than many units get in private use and some commercial use with new drivers every couple months and especially with rental units. The package does take up some space in engine bay and by side rails so vans and trucks are about the only units having them- the old Crown Vics used by some police units had the external filter and a small external cooler inline tucked in tight close to beloww bumper air intake slots and some of the cab companies keep them when they get the police surplus units. commercial service recommendations for tranny oil change and tranny filter at 25,000 miles would be overlooked after first change under warrantee with old 'internal' tranny filters- the added external filter getting a change at 10,000 miles gets a lot of the crud that can cause added wear on plates and some seal rubbing wear. After market install is about $200.00 on parts wholesale, order the package with new truck or van from dealer to be installed at assembly plant and cost is about $300.00 added to delivered price- those prices a couple years old and likely have gone up for the 'commercial/rental' package. The after market filter adapter was about $89.95 retail with some discounts from Rock Auto getting it to about $50.00. RN.

mss3020 When I first opened up the tire shop in 1986 we purchased a 1999 ford F350 2X4 -460 automatic for a tire service truck. we put 2 torque converters and 1 transmission in it for the same reason you have. We got rid of it and picked up a 1984 F250 diesel service truck with 89000 miles on it. Wound up putting 3 transmissions in it along with new torque converters- started leaking out the front--again 2X4. Both ford dealer and independent mechanics worked on them. last ford F250 4X4 we bought was a 7.3 with automatic behind it-transmission went out several weeks after we got it, cost $3200.00 to fix it. You might not want to keep running it till someone has a chance to tear into in and see where the problem is.

Its basically sittin still till I get into it.. I have access to a lift and I do most work on own vehicles.. so cant wait to get into it and see.. Just was hoping to improve factory stuff.. seal I believe I can.. from there Ill have to see..

X2 on what Determined said. If you are just creeping or running at the rpm where the torque converter just starts to engage , that torque converter get very hot fast . Using low range gets the rpm up faster and engages the converter so it is not sitting there slipping and overheating . If no 4x4 then give it enough throttle to quickly engage instead of just letting it sit there and slip.

Well, got no insight, just experience.
As has been said.
I had an F350 Diesel do the same thing,
pulling a heavy load, right out the front seal,
kept it full of fluid, got it home.
Put the biggest cooler I could find on it,
lasted a couple years, but it was only a matter of time.
Take it to a good tranny shop, they can do some upgrades
for you when the rebuild it, set it up for plowing, towing, working, whatever...but hang on to your wallet...
mine wasn't too bad, around 4000 dollars,
but it will tow anything in any kind of heat now.
Don't know if that helps...

My 2000 350 did that 4 or 5 years ago. I got a better cooler from Bryans Truck Shop (google it) and havent had any problems since. Lee

Those transmissions do have issues with the front seals. Get a good viton seal like you said, and put a big-a** cooler on it, and you won't go wrong. Also find out what it would cost to have a shift kit installed. If you're pulling heavy loads,it will improve the durability a bunch. There are several different shift kits you can buy, and since you will have the transmission out, you may as well. If your engine is chipped, consider a dual disc converter, although it wouldn't help for low speed operation.

My 1999 F259power stroke auto did the same thing, it was idling on a 100 degree day and I had to move it up about 100 foot and when I got out I saw a line of fluid and puddle, added 2 quarts later that day. Took off the front cover and ran a few days, it made a huge rattling noise when it shifts from 1st to 2nd and quits when shifting into 3rd