tranny temps
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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tranny temps
I was recently towing a 6500 lbs. trailer up a pretty steep grade and noticed my tranny temps were up around 210 degrees. This was a constant temp for about 15-20 minutes. When I stopped I checked the fluid and it appeared pink and clear. What do you guys think? Any chance I damaged my tranny? I have a Tymar intake, running stock program, and have a 4" exhaust. I don't know why my F-250 is heating up so much. Should I take it in and have it checked out or is this normal?
Also, I was looking at adding a tranny cooler. Any recommendations on which is the best.
Thanks for any info............
Also, I was looking at adding a tranny cooler. Any recommendations on which is the best.
Thanks for any info............
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
210 is not too bad for a moderate load up a long steep grade. Normal flat cruise you would want to be around 150-180. So 210 at load is not bad. When you get up around 250 we are talking accelerated wear due to fluid deterioration and seal damage.
You wouldn't want to see 210 all the time but for occasional hills, you are going to generate heat.
ATF is better if it is red not pink, but may just be a matter of eyeball opinion. Brown is bad, black is death.
Wouldn't hurt to change tranny fluid regularly if you tow, every 12K by the book I believe.
If your 250 already has the auxilliary factory cooler, I was told that was adequate for normal towing by a tranny shop. Overcooling especially in cold climate can have its own problems.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
You wouldn't want to see 210 all the time but for occasional hills, you are going to generate heat.
ATF is better if it is red not pink, but may just be a matter of eyeball opinion. Brown is bad, black is death.
Wouldn't hurt to change tranny fluid regularly if you tow, every 12K by the book I believe.
If your 250 already has the auxilliary factory cooler, I was told that was adequate for normal towing by a tranny shop. Overcooling especially in cold climate can have its own problems.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
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From: Long Beach, Ms.
The long hot road ahead
I got back from the Smokie Mountains last week where I pulled a 24' TT behind my E-350. I made the run to the mountains overnight so therefore the air temp wasn't a factor. My trans temp never got above 170F. On the last day, the return, we pulled the trailer up the parkway on the southwest side of the park and heated things up to 175F. But it was not until I had been interstate crusing at approxmently 72mph for more than 3hrs, (2pm) 7hrs into the trip, that I reached 185F. As that is the operating temp of the thermostadt in my V-10 I was quite comfortable with it. My van is equiped with an aux.cooler ahead of and in series with the radiator cooler.
I belive that the fluid change interval is 30k miles.
If you have any doubt as to the fluid by all means change it.
I belive that the fluid change interval is 30k miles.
If you have any doubt as to the fluid by all means change it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 28
From: Mesa AZ
Originally posted by borin&strokin
210 degrees is too hot. Put in a cooler if it goes that high. As you can see, for every 20 degree drop in temp, the life exp. doubles. Good luck.
210 degrees is too hot. Put in a cooler if it goes that high. As you can see, for every 20 degree drop in temp, the life exp. doubles. Good luck.
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