Hey Guys- I do some pretty heavy towing now and again with my '03 E-350, V10, 4R100, and would like to keep the trans temp down. It has the factory tow package, with the aux trans cooler, BUT I would like to add a trans temp gauage to keep track of the fluid (oil) temp.
In researching this, I see that gauges I can find, range from (max) 250, to 320 deg. F. And one site sez, anything over 220 F, can be bad.
So, WHAT ARE the trans oil temps (as measured at the pan) that I should worry about?.....OR, What is the normal opperating temp of the trans fluid?
Autometer has a nice gauge that reads to 260 dF. And Isspro has one that reads to 320. ????
Seems to me that IF 220 is HI/Normal, then 260 is as most as you ever want to see. ("read"- anything over this is toast/or really bad)
I havn't ordered anything yet, but an thinking about an oversize trans pan/with the trans temp sending unit there. EG; www.yourcovers.com/tp_9323.shtml
with an Autometer trans temp gauge, EG; http://hp.autometer.com/products/pro...xx/006157.html
Anyone got a better idea?
Most of my heavy towing is on the hiway, some with pretty good grades, and some (less) is in/on 4X4 low, in real rough spots(off road).
So far, this new to me, 03 E-350, V-10,(Quigley 4X4) has towed GREAT, however, as my towing needs continue, I'd like to keep an eye on the systems.
Any thoughts/replies welcome. ....Thanks, -Rob-

PS: I'm also conserned about the engin oil temp, as I sometime need to tow in the heat of South Texas summers. Should I use a cooler &/or gauge here too?

 

I think 180-220 is the preferred range; higher than that and the fluid starts to break down real quick.

Steve

 

Hey Steve, Is this for HY-Poid, or synthedic (sp?)
Do some oils/ fluids do better at higher temps, with out dammage?

 

I believe that's preferred, no matter what the fluid (I think hypoid gear oil is usually used in rear ends). Synthetics can supposedly handle high temps better, so that may be the way to go. A bigger tranny pan, if one's available, will help also because of increased capacity.

An engine oil cooler and temp gauge sure can't hurt, considering your location and the towing you do.

Steve

 

I us a AutoMeter Trany gauge, I have the sending unit mounted in the side of the case. There is a 1/8 pipe plug right above the shift linkage on the left side, that will give you pain temp. I will run 180 to 190 on the flat on a 90' day and it will go up to 200 maybe 210 on long grades pulling my 15K 5ver. I run the factory cooler and Mobil I fluid, I am not a lead foot when it comes to towing and I'm sure that that makes a big difference on all temps.

Denny

 

I installed a digital Nordskog gauge in my Expy with E4OD transmission (very similar to the 4R100). Mine is installed in the plug mentioned by the previous post. Here is a very nice article about installing the gauge.

I tow a 4500 lb TT in east Tennessee (not the Rockies, but the Smokies do have some good hills). Towing to a campground at about 5000 ft in the middle of July, I hit 220 F briefly. Once I started back on a downhill, the temp would immediately start to drop. It usually runs around 200, but does climb to 210 when going up a grade. If it stayed at 220, I'd pull over and let it cool off.

I did switch my transmission to Mobil 1 synthetic simply because I read that synthetics could take higher temps. I hope it's worth it, because at 16 quarts of transmission fluid I put about 100 dollars worth of Mobil 1 into the transmission.

phil

 

Just a note.

The synthetic oils may boil at a higher temperature, but the transmission itself (seals) will not be any happier at those high temps. 220 F should be considered a max.

 

Exactly. Servo piston seals will harden and the transmission will die even if the synthetic fluid is perfect. From a GM report I read at one time, 300F is pretty much instant death for an auto trans.

Jim