Trans. Temps
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Monroeville, AL
Trans. Temps
Anything above 200 is too high! My F250 V10 4R100 stays around 160 to 170 pulling 7000#. My previous F150 4.6L 4R70W was 190+ (with Amsoil synthetic) during the summer pulling 4800#. That's one of the reasons I traded; I figured I was slowly frying the transmission!
Jim
Jim
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
Trans. Temps
Under 200* is OK.
You can run 200* - 230*, but you need to change your fluid twice as often as recommended.
230* - 250* will not hurt the tranny, but you have cooked your fluid. Change immediately.
Above 250*, you are cooking your fluid and frying your tranny. Pull over and let the tranny cool. Then, change your fluid immediately.
The synthetics will take the 250* better than dino, but you should still not let the tranny go over 250*, and you still need to change out the fluid first chance you get.
You can run 200* - 230*, but you need to change your fluid twice as often as recommended.
230* - 250* will not hurt the tranny, but you have cooked your fluid. Change immediately.
Above 250*, you are cooking your fluid and frying your tranny. Pull over and let the tranny cool. Then, change your fluid immediately.
The synthetics will take the 250* better than dino, but you should still not let the tranny go over 250*, and you still need to change out the fluid first chance you get.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 872
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, Alabama
Trans. Temps
thanks jschira. I haven't see the numbers before and that does help. Do you happen to know how the new Trans Temp guage does in the 03's. I have watched it but its still little more than a dummy light. It would have been nice if Ford had put a real guage in the vehicles rather than the dummy type.
God Bless our Troops:
God Bless our Troops:
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Williams Lake
Trans. Temps
The new trans in the o3/6.0 indeed does work differently...it is more like a thermostat..will run @ around 160 degrees and then will cool MUCH better than the 7.3
The stock gauge stays just under 1/2 way and is approx 160 degrees I have been comparing the idiot gauge with my aftermarket DI-PRICOL trans. gauge.
Have not towed yet..but new trans is supposed to keep the temps low..time will tell so far never been over 170 degrees.
steven
The stock gauge stays just under 1/2 way and is approx 160 degrees I have been comparing the idiot gauge with my aftermarket DI-PRICOL trans. gauge.
Have not towed yet..but new trans is supposed to keep the temps low..time will tell so far never been over 170 degrees.
steven
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Williams Lake
Trans. Temps
The temp probe for the transmission goes in on the drivers side of the new auto trans..remove a small metal threaded plug and screw in trans probe so I guess thats the actual trans temp of the trans oil...
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
Trans. Temps
I saw a test of the stock 7.3 gauge. it sucks. The needle goes to the middle of the guage and stays there from about 140*-200*. It won't start moving until the fluid is above about 200*. It will hit the yellow at about 230*-240*. When it hits red, the tranny is already 250*+.
If you see your guage headed toward the yellow, you are already starting to go over 200*. Too hot. Pull over and let her cool down at high idle.
If you see your guage headed toward the yellow, you are already starting to go over 200*. Too hot. Pull over and let her cool down at high idle.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 872
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, Alabama
Trans. Temps
jschirs, that is really discouraging to hear. I was just hoping that the temp guage would be a little more accurate than that. You would think that ford would have talken a little more time and effort into putting a proper guage in just to keep the repairs and warrenty cost down. Oh Well, I guess that they will just be making a lot of unenessary repairs. Go figure: 
God Bless our Troops:
God Bless our Troops:
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Trans. Temps
Maybe some of you already knew this, but Ford's oil pressure gauges work the same way. The sending unit is nothing more than a pressure switch, and the gauge is a volt meter. As long as the pressure is high enough, the switch is on and the gauge reads normal. The good news is you can get a real pressure sending unit from Ford and have a useful gauge.
Maybe there is something similar for the temperature sending units?
Maybe there is something similar for the temperature sending units?
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 872
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, Alabama
Trans. Temps
Any ideas on part numbers or exactly what to ask for? If you come accross any of this let me know. I did ask one of the parts people at the dealership and he gave me the Blank Look ( translation duh) I think that I need to have a little more info for these guys. Thanks>
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
Trans. Temps
Ford apparently considers the "normal" operating range to be up to 248*, so the needle is not supposed to go to red until around 250*.
The gauge is not linear. The needle will stay pegged in the middle of the white "safe" area from about 140* to way over 200*. Only when you get to 220*-230* will you see the gauge start to move to the upper part of the white zone. Remember, there is a time lag. The tranny is already probably 220*-230* at this point, the needle just has not yet had time to move up there.
You just have to keep this in mind. You are probably OK so long as the gauge is sitting in the middle. When you see it starting to move up, you are hot, hot, hot
. The gauge may be junk, but it is still telling you something.
One situation to be especially careful is backing a trailer into a parking spot. The TC is not locked, so there is plenty of slip, generating heat. No air through the coolers either. Most aren't looking at their gauges.
The gauge is not linear. The needle will stay pegged in the middle of the white "safe" area from about 140* to way over 200*. Only when you get to 220*-230* will you see the gauge start to move to the upper part of the white zone. Remember, there is a time lag. The tranny is already probably 220*-230* at this point, the needle just has not yet had time to move up there.
You just have to keep this in mind. You are probably OK so long as the gauge is sitting in the middle. When you see it starting to move up, you are hot, hot, hot
. The gauge may be junk, but it is still telling you something.One situation to be especially careful is backing a trailer into a parking spot. The TC is not locked, so there is plenty of slip, generating heat. No air through the coolers either. Most aren't looking at their gauges.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
Trans. Temps
OK. I found the link to the Dieselmann's page where he did the test.
http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/b_smoke13.htm
http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/b_smoke13.htm
Last edited by jschira; Apr 22, 2003 at 12:59 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 872
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, Alabama
Trans. Temps
Its kind of discouraging to see that the quality of the guage package (Trans Temp) is so inaccurate. If I didn't know better I would think that it is an attempt to make the comsumer spend more money for replacement parts. It kind of sounds, also, like the old idea or (Make it last through warrenty) idea is in full bloom.
God Bless our Troops:
With all of that said, I'll keep my PSD over any other Chebby or Dogger.
God Bless our Troops:
With all of that said, I'll keep my PSD over any other Chebby or Dogger.