2004 5.4 crew 4x4.
Was trying to help guy out of ditch today and guy was on his frame longways and deep. Gave it a shot and moved him some but not over the wall of dirt trench. I was in reverse, 4low, and no wheels were spinning, and slowly had it to the floor a couple of times and couldn't move either one of us. After a couple of tries and different positions, I saw smoke from under mine and saw a flame building on top of the exhaust right where the y is. Got it out and quit pulling obviously. Looks like some oil blew out and started dripping on muffler. Neither transmission or engine gauges were hot. Scared the crap out of me though and worried now that it could flare up at a stoplight or going down the road.

I pull a 20' cargo sometimes and now it's got me worried with or without the thing.
I guess I paid the price instead of a wrecker doing his job, but I am where I am now and asking for feedback of anyone else having the same problem and what they did about it or what you recommend.

Thanks

 

You most likely overheated the torque converter. This will cause the front seal to soften and leak. Once it cools it almost always works fine again. Running the engine above idle speed without the wheels moving creates A LOT of heat in the torque converter.

 

I did it to mine loading some junk tractors on a trailer a few months ago. So far, it has not been an issue but you can bet I will never do anything like that again.