SCOTTY,

Everything was fine with my 2017 FORD E-450 V-10  CLASS  C  MOTORHOME  before the  Feb. 2021  snow storm in Hillsboro , Texas . During that  7  day  period  the coldest temperature  recorded  was  1 degree F.

It  stayed  below  freezing  for  5  days.

I waited until the weekend when the temperature got  to  65 degrees F and went to check on everything  and that is when I noticed  a  fluid spot underneath  the  engine compartment. It turned out to be coming from the  power steering resevior by way of the FORD twist on cap. I DID  NOT  SEE  ANYTHING  CRACKED.  Fluid was underneath the cap and down the side of the resevior and on hoses  etc. Before  I started the motor  I took my flashlight and noticed that the resevior was completely full  TO  THE  TOP  even  though some  had  leaked out on  to  the  ground .

I started the engine and the fluid level dropped to  1/2 inch  below  the minimum level line on the resevior. I moved the steering wheel back and forth  and there was some of the usual power steering noise but not much and it quit.

MY  QUESTION IS DID THE  MERCON TRANSMISSION FLUID  THAT  FORD  USES IN THE  POWER  STEERING  FREEZE  AND  EXPAND BECAUSE THE RESEVIOR  WAS OVERFILLED  WHEN  WE  BOUGHT  THE MOTORHOME ,OR IS THIS  NORMAL  AT  SUCH  COLD  TEMPERATURES.

I NEVER NOTICED  IF  IT  WAS  TOO  FULL  OR  AT  MAXIMUM.

I  HAVE  PURCHASED  A  NEW  CAP  AND  PLAN  ON  FILLING THE  RESEVIOR  BACK TO  THE PROPER  LEVEL  WITH  FORD  MERCON  ATF  WHICH THE  FORD  DEALER  SPECIFIES.

IT  ONLY  HAS  48,000   MILES   WITH  AN  AUTOMATIC  TRANSMISSION  AND  RUNS  GOOD.

CAN  I  EXPECT  THE  GEAR  BOX  OR  PUMP  TO  BE  DAMAGED  OR  IS  THIS  JUST  A  EXTREME  COLD WEATHER   "FLUKE "  IN  TEXAS.

I  HAVE  READ  OF  POWER  STEERING  HOSES  FREEZING  IN  THE  NORTHERN  STATES. 

YOUR  FRIEND,

KRAMER