Use the Auto Trans to Warm Engine
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,758
Likes: 7
From: colorado
Originally Posted by Clemzeter
OK, I have seen many of you reply to various posts with pretty experienced answers and I think most of you know what your talking about but, I still have to ask. Why is this any harder on the tranny than sitting at a stop light with your foot on the brake?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 103
From: FL
Yea, thats why i hate boston traffic in MA, Stop and go for HOURS. I Wait till i can drive forward at least 20-30 Ft, and put it in drive, move up and back into N. Seems to work O.K. , Of course that not great for the trans eather.... good thing i only drive throught there once or twice a month!! (I love the sound of the new exhuast echoing off the walls of the tunnel, and if some punk kid has his radio blasting, i will casually roll my foor on the gas and give him a nice 3 Grand bass hit from my pipes!! that usually shuts them up!!)
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Originally Posted by Clemzeter
OK, I have seen many of you reply to various posts with pretty experienced answers and I think most of you know what your talking about but, I still have to ask. Why is this any harder on the tranny than sitting at a stop light with your foot on the brake?
Why do you think that you hear stories of overloaded trucks puking ATF when they are trying to park that monster 5th wheel? Very low speed and very high torque situation.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Central Montana
So basicly a transmission doesn't circulate fluid out of the torque converter until moving the rig at some speed. Sitting still at high idle without moving allows fluid in the torque conveter to boil. It doesn't show up on the temp gauge because it's not circulating through the trans. Again, I don't plan to do this but, the main damage would be in the tq at first, then in the rest of the trans from the broken down fluid. Right or wrong? When the the overloaded rigs are puking fluid, where does it come out, the vent line, tq seal??
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
Originally Posted by wlihntr
when the engine is cold it will go into high idle (1000-1200 rpm) so its like sitting at a stoplight with one foot on the accelerator (reving the engine up) and one foot on the brake. as stated before its like power braking the trans for 5 or however minutes...very hard on the trans.
Still, I wouldn't idle in drive for any extended period of time. The engine still will not warm up any faster because it will not high idle on it's own. Block heater or drive it right away, those are your options.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Originally Posted by Clemzeter
So basicly a transmission doesn't circulate fluid out of the torque converter until moving the rig at some speed. Sitting still at high idle without moving allows fluid in the torque conveter to boil. It doesn't show up on the temp gauge because it's not circulating through the trans. Again, I don't plan to do this but, the main damage would be in the tq at first, then in the rest of the trans from the broken down fluid. Right or wrong? When the the overloaded rigs are puking fluid, where does it come out, the vent line, tq seal??
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Central Montana
Thanks Kwik, Over the years I've R&R's just about every part there is but have only rebuilt carberators, alternators, and starters. So I really don't have a clue how a tranny works. Your knowledge is very helpful to me.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Slana, Alaska
My '97 psd came with n electronic idle control. So when it's cold, here in Alaska, I can set up the idle speed to about 1000 to 1200 rpm. This helps for a faster warm up.
Also, for a few minutes before I leave, I put the auto tranny in neutral. I've found that this circulates and warms up the tranny fluid enough that it shifts alot better than cold.
One thing that we never use, in Alaska, is the parking break. I hate it when you have to crawl under your truck, when it's -20 or so to thaw out your break drums with a propane torch....
Also, for a few minutes before I leave, I put the auto tranny in neutral. I've found that this circulates and warms up the tranny fluid enough that it shifts alot better than cold.
One thing that we never use, in Alaska, is the parking break. I hate it when you have to crawl under your truck, when it's -20 or so to thaw out your break drums with a propane torch....
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Check your thermostat. Mine seemed to workin ok but had the same problem when cold. Changed it out and even though the original one looked and seemed to be workin fine, the new one fixed the problem. Diesels are naturally gunna take longer to warm as they dont have as hot of combustion when first starting, that and the fact they have huge amounts or coolant in the block.
