So i continue to be puzzled with the ongoing temps Im seeing in my transmission.
A little back ground
I replaced the trans. Last Spring with a HD4R100. I know , I know. Should have gotten a BTS or a JW. didnt have the money at the time so did what I could. Installed with a large Tru-cool.
I am seeing temps in the 160- 180 region fairly consistently. Summertime hauling my TT i see temps in the 190-200. When it hits 200 i really back off it and let it cool down.
Levels are where they should be. Temp sender in correct spot (drivers side test port). Im not hammering on the truck either. I also have a transmissin filter spliced into the return line from the cooler. When i installed it I confirmed the flow rate and it was plenty. I don't remember exactly what it was but it was somewhere around a qt in 10 seconds.
Today it was 32* and my temp was 155-160.
That having been said, I'm wondering if the way i installed the cooler might have something to do with my hot running temps. When I installed the cooler I had read that if you install it with the inlet/ outlet facing downward it would help to dicipate the heat better. Im wondering if i Have an air lock problem in it and the trapped air is limiting the cooling surface area of the cooler. Im probably grasping at straws but im really plagued by this and all I read is about how other members have such cool running transmissions.

 

I don't understand how having the outlets pointing down is going to help (or hurt) the heat dissipation. It just doesn't make any difference.

Do you still have the radiator cooler in the circuit? Without that cooler you're going to have cooling problems.

But 200°F isn't very hot. I wouldn't back off at that temperature. I'd start watching carefully at 220°F. You can safely go up to 250°F for no more than 1/2 hour.

 

I would never let it go to 250F. The trans filter should of been in line with it going into the cooler not on the way out. Did you have your coolers flushed after the new trans install. The radiator cooler and trans cooler should of been cleaned and flow tested. I run the 6.0L TC and never see over 168F here in Calif. pulling my toyhauler loaded. Its 30 foot and full of toys and fuel etc.. The HD trans is okay. I have a JW trans but with the right coolers you should see the same. Check for kinked lines and all and change the filter install. It will also keep things from going into your coolers.
Chet

 

When we installed the Tru-Cool I don't remember any lines coming from the radiator. The way I remember it was lines coming from the trans. Directly to the cooler. I **** canned the OEM cooler that came with the truck as it was in sad shape and had bits of transmission stuff in it. We plumbed the cooler dire tly inline with the transmission. No radiator that I remember.
Sorry if I'm not explaining it well.
The secondary filter was installed on the return cause thats where the instructions said to put it. Common sense would dictate to my way of thinking that it should go in between the Trans. and the cooler so it cathes all the crud coming out of the transmission.

 

Somethng else I just remembered is that the Transmission temp will get hotter if I sit at idle for awhile after driving around. I guess its just the lack of air passing over the cooler


Tru-Cool Remote External bypass
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Quantity:
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Remote cold weather bypass only. No hose or clamps. External thermal bypass for large coolers used in cold climates (32 degree -). Installs in cooler line. Includes bypass only! Use on 5/16" & 3/8" line sizes ONLY!! Opens fully at approx. 180 +-
Click for a our PDF file installation instructions.





It says it fully opens at 180*. Maybe thats part of the problem

 

Yeah I wouldn't sweat 200 at all.

 

Having a cooler in the radiator will make a BIG difference in the transmission temps. You may want to consider changing radiators.

 

After replacing a damaged transmission it would seem that the filter after the coolers would be a good place for the filter. I think Ford does that with their rebuilds.

Have you double checked the flow after the filter has picked up some of that debris?

 

So the 2000 year model radiator did not have the internal trans cooler?
No I have not retested the flow after getting some miles on the transmission. I think I will retest the flow and remove the temp. Bypass that came with the Tru-cool.
Back to the original question. Do you think there could be an air pocket in the cooler that would not allow the fluid to travel to the uppermost part of the cooler core or is the pressure so much that it wold just push all the air out on install.

 

Are you saying that you only have the ONE Oil-to-Air trans cooler (TruCool) mounted IN FRONT of the radiator and no other coolers? That would explain the higher temps. Like said, they are within "normal" operating parameters. I recently installed a thermal bypass, between my stock OTA and TruCool coolers, to bring UP my trans temps in cold weather to aid in better flow and less internal drag of the rotating components. I still see temps below 150* on a 40*-50*with the stock OTW and OTA coolers in the circuit with only the TruCool bypassing. The bypass of the TruCool has raised my temps ~ 20* on the cooler days.

 

[QUOTE=mueckster;11219430]Are you saying that you only have the ONE Oil-to-Air trans cooler (TruCool) mounted IN FRONT of the radiator and no other coolers? That would explain the higher temps.

Yes only one cooler. The Tru-Cool

 

'99 and the first half of '00 did not have a cooler in the radiator. If the transmission was damaged from heat during the warranty period Ford installed a new radiator with a cooler.

No, I don't think there was an air pocket in the cooler. There is about 30 PSI in the cooler line. That should push any air out of the system.

 

You can pick up a radiator with the trans cooler for around $250 new. I put one in my e99, and it cools the trans while idleing which is a good thing.
It was actually alot easier to install than my old tru-cool cooler.

 

[QUOTE=Mark Kovalsky;11219788]'99 and the first half of '00 did not have a cooler in the radiator. If the transmission was damaged from heat during the warranty period Ford installed a new radiator with a cooler.

Good to know. I may start looking for the radiator with the cooler built in.



Franko72 You can pick up a radiator with the trans cooler for around $250 new. I put one in my e99, and it cools the trans while idleing which is a good thing.
It was actually alot easier to install than my old tru-cool cooler.

What name do they go buy on the web?

 

Ed has em for $246.07 >>> 2002 Ford F-350 Parts - www.partsguyed.com
Ask your local dealer to match the price. I got lucky and found a brand new one in my parts truck.