Pan temp vs Trans temp
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Pan temp vs Trans temp
In general, is the temperature of the transmission pan indicative of the actual operating temperature of the transmission?
Can you shoot the pan with an IR temp gun and get any kind of meaningful information from that reading? I've noticed a few degrees difference across the pan, so I realize it isn't "exact" but is it close enough to tell if it is too hot?
thanks!
Can you shoot the pan with an IR temp gun and get any kind of meaningful information from that reading? I've noticed a few degrees difference across the pan, so I realize it isn't "exact" but is it close enough to tell if it is too hot?
thanks!
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Florida
Most aftermarket trans temp gauges are plumbed in the the test port on the side of the transmission. That is a good location for an average transmission temperature.
The pan will show you the coolest temperature in the transmission. Everywhere else is hotter. How much depends on how the transmission is being used at that moment.
The pan will show you the coolest temperature in the transmission. Everywhere else is hotter. How much depends on how the transmission is being used at that moment.
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so it is safe to assume that if the pan is too hot, the trans is too.
but not safe to assume that because the pan is not too hot, that the trans is not overheating - depending on how it was used.
is there a better place to try and get a reading with an IR gun?
now ... how hot is too hot?
is that fluid dependant, or is it transmission specific?
but not safe to assume that because the pan is not too hot, that the trans is not overheating - depending on how it was used.
is there a better place to try and get a reading with an IR gun?
now ... how hot is too hot?
is that fluid dependant, or is it transmission specific?
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Florida
There isn't a good place to read the trans temp with an IR gun.
Up to 220°F for no more than a half hour at a time, and not over 250°F at all.
It's transmission specific.
See this:
So if what you want to know is the coolest temperature in the trans, use the pan. I don't know why you would want that, but to each their own.
Up to 220°F for no more than a half hour at a time, and not over 250°F at all.
It's transmission specific.
So if what you want to know is the coolest temperature in the trans, use the pan. I don't know why you would want that, but to each their own.
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does that 220°/250° range apply to current fluids that meet Mercon/Dex3 specs?
(i realize that anything meeting the Mercon spec is not being tested)
(i realize that anything meeting the Mercon spec is not being tested)
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Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Florida
Who knows? Those temps were good for MERCON fluids when Ford was licensing MERCON. Now anyone can produce anything and say it is for use in transmissions that require MERCON. I don't know what you are getting with those fluids, and I'll bet you don't know, either.
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Most aftermarket trans temp gauges are plumbed in the the test port on the side of the transmission. That is a good location for an average transmission temperature.
The pan will show you the coolest temperature in the transmission. Everywhere else is hotter. How much depends on how the transmission is being used at that moment.
The pan will show you the coolest temperature in the transmission. Everywhere else is hotter. How much depends on how the transmission is being used at that moment.
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