Transmission Temp Gauge
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,908
Likes: 2
From: West Mansfield, Ohio
Transmission Temp Gauge
Guess I need some advice here. I want to install a gauge for my transmission temp. First of I have a 95 F-150 with the 351, E4OD. There is a plug that I can take out of the tranny on the drivers side to place in a sender, but thats all I know. Is this a 3/8 or a half inch diameter hole?
Also, I was told that if I get a water temp gauge, that this would basically serve the purpose (I found those for cheaper than tranny temp guages,) as long as it was the correct fitting size.
Next question, if I was to get a water temp gauge with the long copper tubing, where would you guys run it? Up through the firewall or should I find a hole in the floorboard? (Im wanting to mount the gauge under the dash... under the ash tray.)
I know this is kind of a wierd topic, but I would like to moniter my transmission temp while pulling trailers and what not.
Also, I was told that if I get a water temp gauge, that this would basically serve the purpose (I found those for cheaper than tranny temp guages,) as long as it was the correct fitting size.
Next question, if I was to get a water temp gauge with the long copper tubing, where would you guys run it? Up through the firewall or should I find a hole in the floorboard? (Im wanting to mount the gauge under the dash... under the ash tray.)
I know this is kind of a wierd topic, but I would like to moniter my transmission temp while pulling trailers and what not.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 371
Likes: 1
From: Wetaskiwin, Alberta
Can't help you on the size of the hole. I know that the guage that I installed had various adapters and fittings so there was a pretty good chance that one of 'em would screw right in - which was the case. I used an electric Hastings temp guage, dual purpose, water or oil. It doesn't really matter, as long as it registers from about 100 degrees to around 225 degrees. From what I understand if your tranny oil gets much past 190 degrees you have already done some major damage - so seeing how hot it gets past that point is really moot isn't it! I ran the one wire from the sending unit up the engine side of the firewall and then through the primary grommet and up into the "A" pillar as that is where my guage pod sits. I would rather run it through the firewall no matter where the installation was going - just a personal preferance. If you don't have a tranny cooler installed you may want to consider this as extra insurance to prevent an overheated tranny. I have run my '91 F150 hard through the summer heat with the RV in tow and have never broken the 170 degree mark.
Good luck with your install - if I can be of further help e-mail me direct if you want.
Cheers!
Mike
Good luck with your install - if I can be of further help e-mail me direct if you want.
Cheers!
Mike
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,908
Likes: 2
From: West Mansfield, Ohio
Thanks a lot for the feedback! I've got the towing package and off road package on my truck. Its considered a F-150HD. It's got the oil cooler, auxilary transmission cooler and all that. With all the towing I do, I'd like to have a gauge to moniter my tranny temp, because sometimes it will get hot and not want to go back into drive unless you rev it up to 2 grand. Probably damage done already...
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
handyman, you need to do a complete trans. fluid change.
drain trans, replace filter, drain convertor put new fluid in and add a bottle of lucas trans. treatment.
do this soon, than add a temp. gauge.
i had a 70 ranchero gt that had a trans temp gauge, it was installed by diconnecting a cooler line and it had a male and female fitting to fit in line with no cutting. do not remember the brand. was in truck when i bought it.
quicklook
drain trans, replace filter, drain convertor put new fluid in and add a bottle of lucas trans. treatment.
do this soon, than add a temp. gauge.
i had a 70 ranchero gt that had a trans temp gauge, it was installed by diconnecting a cooler line and it had a male and female fitting to fit in line with no cutting. do not remember the brand. was in truck when i bought it.
quicklook
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,908
Likes: 2
From: West Mansfield, Ohio
I did a fluid and filter change a while back. Never drained the converter though... Not sure how to do it. I think theres a rubber piece underneath that you pop out, and then I think theres a bolt in the converter to drain it right? Then what? How do I get fluid back into it?
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
that is where you drain the convertor. it holds a lot more than when you drained just the pan.
you refill through the fill tube like you did before. i boil water and put the lucas treatment in the container in the water, it makes it flow better. do not put the treatment in first. put at least 6 quarts of fluid in first.
you do need to put in another filter also.
trust me this may save your trans.
you refill through the fill tube like you did before. i boil water and put the lucas treatment in the container in the water, it makes it flow better. do not put the treatment in first. put at least 6 quarts of fluid in first.
you do need to put in another filter also.
trust me this may save your trans.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,908
Likes: 2
From: West Mansfield, Ohio
So when you refill through the fill tube it actually fills your converter back up? I always knew you could drain the converter, just getting fluid back in was my question. Won't this take about 15 quarts of tranny fluid?
I think do to this correctly, I'll drain the converter, pan, and change the filter. I'll put the plug back in the converter, and dump x amount of fluid into the tranny, start it up and let it run for a second, shut it off and then check the level? And add as necessary correct?
I think do to this correctly, I'll drain the converter, pan, and change the filter. I'll put the plug back in the converter, and dump x amount of fluid into the tranny, start it up and let it run for a second, shut it off and then check the level? And add as necessary correct?
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
it is a hassle to line up the drain, ypu have to keep bumping the starter, good to have an assistant, disconnect coil so it does not start. pre warm up fluid before you start, get it hot so it drains all the crap out.
put old fluid in old gallon containers after your drip pan catches old fluid, then you kind of know how much was in trans.
look in your owners manual for the amount, but it is different because the trans is not perfectly dry.
put in about 2/3 or so including the lucas. you always have to check with engine running. and always add fluid slowly with truck running.
now only add 1/2 quart at a time until it starts to show on dipstick.
do not overfill.
let truck run for awhile like that, then check again. add 1/2 pint at a time until it is almost to full level.
shutoff for awhile, than start up again take for a short ride, drive easy. bring back truck and check again. add a small amount at a time until it is full.
take for a ride, still easy but longer so it really warms up.
go home again and add a small amount if it needs some.
the trick is to not ever overfill.
than check after fully warm for the next few days.
hope this is clear.
quicklook
put old fluid in old gallon containers after your drip pan catches old fluid, then you kind of know how much was in trans.
look in your owners manual for the amount, but it is different because the trans is not perfectly dry.
put in about 2/3 or so including the lucas. you always have to check with engine running. and always add fluid slowly with truck running.
now only add 1/2 quart at a time until it starts to show on dipstick.
do not overfill.
let truck run for awhile like that, then check again. add 1/2 pint at a time until it is almost to full level.
shutoff for awhile, than start up again take for a short ride, drive easy. bring back truck and check again. add a small amount at a time until it is full.
take for a ride, still easy but longer so it really warms up.
go home again and add a small amount if it needs some.
the trick is to not ever overfill.
than check after fully warm for the next few days.
hope this is clear.
quicklook
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,908
Likes: 2
From: West Mansfield, Ohio
Thanks a lot bud. I knew how to drain and replace the fluid, just wasnt sure how to get fluid back into the torque converter. That was very clear. I can look to see how much fluid it takes since you sent me that .PDF of my owners manual! Thanks! lol
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