4r100 overheating when towing
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
Sounds good, I'm interested in your results. If it were MY truck I would bypass the radiator cooler completely. It's a possible source of restriction, and with that giant 6.0L cooler you're putting in you won't need it IMHO.
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Here is the old one on the top compared to the new one on the bottom. Just a little size difference in the 2. I left the one hooked to the radiator and just went from it to the new one.
It took it a lot longer to warm up and this is as warm as it got. Towing a 16' equipment trailer empty in overdrive. Its better than it was but Im afraid when I put a load on the trailer it isn't going to be any better. Should I try to bypass the radiator cooler too and see what happens or will it be a waste of time?
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
It took it a lot longer to warm up and this is as warm as it got. Towing a 16' equipment trailer empty in overdrive. Its better than it was but Im afraid when I put a load on the trailer it isn't going to be any better. Should I try to bypass the radiator cooler too and see what happens or will it be a waste of time?
If you're not getting a full quart every 15 seconds you have much to worry about. By the way, the transmission temperature "gauge" is nothing more than a glorified idiot light. All that photo means is the truck sees the transmission in the normal operating range. Which can vary by more than 100° and the needle won't move. Don't judge the performance of your shiny new cooler by the factory idiot gauge.
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Joined: Feb 2015
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So yall are saying that it is fine where it is? What is a good way to have a display for some of the important info to see at a glance? I had thought about trying to find an edge with the dash pod and display to put in it. Any thoughts? I looked around yesterday and didn't really see anything. What is recommended for this? It has the grab handle on the a pillar on the drivers side so I don't know if I could do analog gauges or if the digital is the way to go?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
It's trivial to install an aftermarket trans temp gauge. I just put one in my truck and it was very easy. There is a test port on the driver's side of the tranny right above the forward wiring connector. Unscrew it, put the probe in, use one of the "customer access wires" under the hood so you don't have to drill a hole through the firewall, and wire the rest of the gauge in. It's a Saturday afternoon job at best.
I also did the 6.0 cooler install in my truck, and it does a fantastic job at keeping the temps under control. I haven't seen it climb over 125 yet, but I haven't hooked the trailer up.
Tom, that's a great suggestion about bypassing the stock radiator cooler. That 6.0 cooler is so huge it really isn't needed.
I also did the 6.0 cooler install in my truck, and it does a fantastic job at keeping the temps under control. I haven't seen it climb over 125 yet, but I haven't hooked the trailer up.
Tom, that's a great suggestion about bypassing the stock radiator cooler. That 6.0 cooler is so huge it really isn't needed.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
I really like OBD gauges that pull the data from the PCM. There is a sensor in the transmission from the factory, I don't see the need to reinvent the wheel here. There are lots of solutions. Google Scangauge II, Aeroforce Interceptor, Edge Insight, ELM327, scantool.net, and Torque Pro. All of these are solutions that plug into the diagnostic port under the dash and can display transmission temperature.
I'm currently using Torque Pro with the Scantool.net OBDlink MX. It uses bluetooth to interface with my Android smartphone, and it works great!
I'm currently using Torque Pro with the Scantool.net OBDlink MX. It uses bluetooth to interface with my Android smartphone, and it works great!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 211
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From: Aurora, Colorado
I had a similar experience last summer. I didn't have a transmission gauge but got the trans hot enough to puke out a little fluid. About 5,000 miles later the transmission died. My truck had 220,000 miles on it (new to me at about 200K) so I don't know if it was the overheating or just age. I would definitely go with the 6.0 cooler. I ended up getting a new trans from Ford (they had the best warranty) and they require the cooler upgrade or the warranty is voided. I have had zero over heating issues since even pulling up the high passes in Colorado.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: NY/Canada border
Aerofoce Interceptor gets my vote. Put on on a 1997 PSD and another on an F450 with V10. They keep track of many parameters.
Not that it matters now because you've already purchased the cooler, but a TruCool Max brought transmission temps down 40+ degrees in the '97 PSD I had.
Not that it matters now because you've already purchased the cooler, but a TruCool Max brought transmission temps down 40+ degrees in the '97 PSD I had.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 52
From: Southern Colorado
Before you add gauges., etc., get a point-and-shoot IR thermometer and aim it at the transmission pan, at the time you feel it is overheating. See if it's really hot or not. Or, touch the trans cooler with your hand and see how badly it burns you.
Don't trust any OEM gauges for any sort of detailed/useful information.
Don't trust any OEM gauges for any sort of detailed/useful information.
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