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Old Jul 15, 2014 | 11:49 AM
  #1  
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Transmission Temp

I have a 2006 F150 4x4, tow package 5.4, edge tuner, magnanflow muffler.

Towing a 21ft fifth-wheel, trailer weighs 4000 lbs, my trans temp will get up around 250 when pulling a large hill.

Does anyone know what is hot for a transmission?
 
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Old Jul 15, 2014 | 11:59 AM
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Normal operating temperature is around 175*.


250* is warm. You may want to spring for an external cooler.

If it already has one get a larger version.

Plumb it in series with the radiator cooler.
 
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Old Jul 15, 2014 | 12:16 PM
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Originally Posted by stuart1
Normal operating temperature is around 175*.


250* is warm. You may want to spring for an external cooler.

If it already has one get a larger version.

Plumb it in series with the radiator cooler.
It does have the factory tow package with an external cooler, I will look into a larger one. Thanks
 
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Old Jul 16, 2014 | 06:31 AM
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Yea that is very warm. Id start by doing a flush of the system and definitely a larger cooler
 
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Old Jul 16, 2014 | 08:19 PM
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That seems a little high. So let me ask these:

What state are you in and type/size hills are you going up? Grade, distance etc.

What speed are you trying to hold?

Is the truck downshifting to second gear and what rpms are you running up the hills?

I tow a 7,000 lb travel trailer with my 05 and never had my tranny temp exceed 215 degrees. The biggest hill I ever pulled it up is on route 77 from on the boarder from NC to Virginia. It's a long climb up though.

I as well have a 5.4, tow package but with custom tuned edge and mbrp dual exhaust. This year I added a fan to my transmission cooler so when I am slow or stopped I can push air through it to help.
 
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Old Jul 17, 2014 | 07:05 AM
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My set-up is similar to yours but with the 4.6L and stock exhaust. Pulling a 4K trailor of scrap metal last summer I never saw over 195 deg on the XMSN temp.
 
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Old Jul 17, 2014 | 10:44 AM
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Originally Posted by CaptFX4
That seems a little high. So let me ask these:

What state are you in and type/size hills are you going up? Grade, distance etc.

What speed are you trying to hold?

Is the truck downshifting to second gear and what rpms are you running up the hills?

I tow a 7,000 lb travel trailer with my 05 and never had my tranny temp exceed 215 degrees. The biggest hill I ever pulled it up is on route 77 from on the boarder from NC to Virginia. It's a long climb up though.

I as well have a 5.4, tow package but with custom tuned edge and mbrp dual exhaust. This year I added a fan to my transmission cooler so when I am slow or stopped I can push air through it to help.
I am in CA, grade was steep, little over a 1000ft elevation change in about 2 miles. That was still the bottom of the hill I stopped when the temp hit 250.

Truck has 119K on it, transmission has had two flushes last one with a filter change.

Edge running level 2 tow, trans shifts around 4000, I was in second pulling the grade at about 35 to 40.

Truck runs around 180 pulling the trailer on flat ground.

Where did you fine the fan?

I have been looking at aftermarket coolers but the factory one is pretty good size 22 - 5 1/2 - 1 1/4
 
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Old Jul 17, 2014 | 03:24 PM
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You could replace the stock trans pan with a high capacity one which has cooling fins. That would give you more fluid and a little extra cooling.
 
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Old Jul 18, 2014 | 12:24 PM
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I have an 08 Screw 5.4 and I tow an 8000 lb trailer and so far the highest I have seen is 210 going over the blue ridge parkway on I64 on VA. It is a 5 mile 5% grade.

I also put a fan on my trans cooler, I bough it on Amazon. It is an 8" electric fan, and it is reversable. I mounted it with a universal mounting kit on the front of the cooler and set it up to push air through the cooler. I have an edge programmer, and one of the "gauges" I have is the Trans gear/converter lockup. Having the converter locked is very important to keep temps down. As I get up to the speed I want, I will let off the gas a little to let to converter lock up, then get back on it.
 
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Old Jul 18, 2014 | 03:16 PM
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This is the fan I bought.

Amazon.com: Universal 7 Amazon.com: Universal 7" SLIM Red PULL/PUSH Reversible Electric Radiator Engine Bay Cooling Fan: Automotive

ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_35?ie=UTF8&refRID=1G7R9HHSSS0M R8MD2B7T

Just ran wires to a switch in the cab. Turn it on and off when I want.




Tranny fan





Blocked off the 1 1/2" gap so air would be forced through cooler and not bypass.





Looking from front
 
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Old Jul 18, 2014 | 03:35 PM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by CaptFX4
This is the fan I bought.

Amazon.com: Universal 7" SLIM Red PULL/PUSH Reversible Electric Radiator Engine Bay Cooling Fan: Automotive

ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_35?ie=UTF8&refRID=1G7R9HHSSS0M R8MD2B7T

Just ran wires to a switch in the cab. Turn it on and off when I want.




Tranny fan





Blocked off the 1 1/2" gap so air would be forced through cooler and not bypass.





Looking from front
Thanks I will try that
 
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Old Jul 18, 2014 | 03:39 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by TallEddie1981
I have an 08 Screw 5.4 and I tow an 8000 lb trailer and so far the highest I have seen is 210 going over the blue ridge parkway on I64 on VA. It is a 5 mile 5% grade.

I also put a fan on my trans cooler, I bough it on Amazon. It is an 8" electric fan, and it is reversable. I mounted it with a universal mounting kit on the front of the cooler and set it up to push air through the cooler. I have an edge programmer, and one of the "gauges" I have is the Trans gear/converter lockup. Having the converter locked is very important to keep temps down. As I get up to the speed I want, I will let off the gas a little to let to converter lock up, then get back on it.
Thanks I was not aware of that feature in the Edge
 
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Old Jul 18, 2014 | 03:58 PM
  #13  
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@CaptFX4, My setup is exactly the same. What material did you use to block the openings where the fan goes past the end of the cooler. I've been trying to think of something to use. The fan does a good job with it open, I image it will be better when I close it off.
 
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Old Jul 18, 2014 | 05:06 PM
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Originally Posted by TallEddie1981
@CaptFX4, My setup is exactly the same. What material did you use to block the openings where the fan goes past the end of the cooler. I've been trying to think of something to use. The fan does a good job with it open, I image it will be better when I close it off.
I used a piece of aircraft aluminum. Anything like that will work. Set the piece behind the fan, traced the outline with a marker and then cut. Did that for top and bottom. Definitely can tell a difference with more air being pushed through the cooler.
 
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