Tranny temps, what's normal?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: North of Salt Lake City
Tranny temps, what's normal?
I installed a tranny temperature guage in my X because I wanted to know hot it gets when pulling my trailer. When driving around unloaded, the temp shows about 180 degrees. When I pull my 10,000# trailer through the mountains of Utah, it sometimes gets to about 220 - 230 degrees. It seems that the tranny is able to hold about 230 degrees because no matter how steep or long the hill, the temp will not go any higher than that. Is this in the normal range or is this too hot?
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Washington State
230 is right on the edge. 180 is high for everyday driving actually. Should be around 150-160. Maybe 200 towing up inclines with up to 230 occasionally. After 230 your fluid begin to degrade rapidly.
What kind of gauge are you using?
What kind of gauge are you using?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: North of Salt Lake City
Sorry for the slow response. Very busy last 24 hours or so.
I'm using an AutoMeter guage that came with a sending unit. I installed the sender in the prepared space right on the side of the tranny. Then I just ran the electrical connection right along the tranny cable, up through the floor and onto the guage which is mounted just above the right knee.
When I say 180 degrees for normal driving, that's only after I've been driving for a half hour or so over hills. It never gets over 150 degrees unless my half hour trip includes a fairly decent hill.
I figured that 230 is edgy and will require more frequent fluid changes, I'm just wondering how many others have tranny temp guages and what there's are reading. I'm a little hesitant to power flush the tranny because of issues reported in this forum. It's kind of like a visit to the dentist though, I'd better get to it or it only gets worse.
I'm using an AutoMeter guage that came with a sending unit. I installed the sender in the prepared space right on the side of the tranny. Then I just ran the electrical connection right along the tranny cable, up through the floor and onto the guage which is mounted just above the right knee.
When I say 180 degrees for normal driving, that's only after I've been driving for a half hour or so over hills. It never gets over 150 degrees unless my half hour trip includes a fairly decent hill.
I figured that 230 is edgy and will require more frequent fluid changes, I'm just wondering how many others have tranny temp guages and what there's are reading. I'm a little hesitant to power flush the tranny because of issues reported in this forum. It's kind of like a visit to the dentist though, I'd better get to it or it only gets worse.
Last edited by EpicCowlick; May 3, 2007 at 07:02 PM.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: North of Salt Lake City
I just read this off the TCIAuto.com website. Does anyone know the trans temperatures of our X's when towing??
"How hot is too hot? The ideal operating temperature for automatic transmission fluid is between 175 and 225° F. At approximately 240° F, important additives in the ATF begin to cook. The result is the formation of varnish inside the transmission. At approximately 260° F, internal transmission seals (which are typically manufactured from a polyacrylate material) begin to harden. The end results are leaks, both internal and external, simply because the seals lose their elasticity. At approximately 295° F, transmission clutch plates begin to slip because the oil is breaking down further. At approximately 315° F, seals and clutches effectively burn out. Carbon forms in the oil and for all intents and purposes, the transmission is junk. Just for your information, a typical transmission will die within 2000 miles if subjected to 300° F+ heat."
http://www.tciauto.com/Products/Tech...expectancy.asp
"How hot is too hot? The ideal operating temperature for automatic transmission fluid is between 175 and 225° F. At approximately 240° F, important additives in the ATF begin to cook. The result is the formation of varnish inside the transmission. At approximately 260° F, internal transmission seals (which are typically manufactured from a polyacrylate material) begin to harden. The end results are leaks, both internal and external, simply because the seals lose their elasticity. At approximately 295° F, transmission clutch plates begin to slip because the oil is breaking down further. At approximately 315° F, seals and clutches effectively burn out. Carbon forms in the oil and for all intents and purposes, the transmission is junk. Just for your information, a typical transmission will die within 2000 miles if subjected to 300° F+ heat."
http://www.tciauto.com/Products/Tech...expectancy.asp
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Joined: May 2006
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I used to have a Duramax with a transmission temperature gauge no idea how accurate it was. The highest temperature I ever saw was driving through Wyoming with outside temps nearly 100F and the transmission was running about 200F. If you downshift to second gear in the mountains like mine does and the torque converter doesn't lock in second (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) the transmission will run hotter. Another thing may be the cooling fan, generally mine comes on during long hill pulls in second gear which would pull more air through the cooler. Now you've got me curious how hot the transmission really is, may have to invest in a setup similar to what you have.
Jim
Jim
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The tran temp warning light that is on my 2000 ( with the tow package)...what temp will light it up? Anyone know
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Not trying to hijack this thread - my question may be the same as the last poster.
Where is the factory trans. temp sensor? How reliable is it? When towing, I'm using software to display this temp, as well as cylinder head temp, and others.
What I'm trying to figure out, is where in the trans fluid "circuit" is the PCM's sensor -the hottest point? -post cooling? This info could help to understand the limits of the PCM reported data.
It may also help the last poster to understand how meaningful the "idiot light" is. I remember an old Pontiac Sunbird that had a temp light that was sure to come on right AFTER the head gasket was blown!
Where is the factory trans. temp sensor? How reliable is it? When towing, I'm using software to display this temp, as well as cylinder head temp, and others.
What I'm trying to figure out, is where in the trans fluid "circuit" is the PCM's sensor -the hottest point? -post cooling? This info could help to understand the limits of the PCM reported data.
It may also help the last poster to understand how meaningful the "idiot light" is. I remember an old Pontiac Sunbird that had a temp light that was sure to come on right AFTER the head gasket was blown!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: North of Salt Lake City
I don't know where the factory sensor is but it would be nice to know. I installed my aftermarket sensor in the small plug on the side of the transmission. I'm assuming it's a meaningful location because that's what it was made for.
You can always pull over and stop to cool a hot transmission. Supposedly temps can get up to 280 - 300 degrees before actual physical damage occurs. At those temps, there may not be immediate damage but you can bet the fluid is shot and will lead to trans failure if it is not changed at the next opportunity.
The Ford trans will inidicate a serious and immediate problem by flashing the OD light on the gear selector. If that ever happens, I'd be looking for a tow to the nearest service center.
You can always pull over and stop to cool a hot transmission. Supposedly temps can get up to 280 - 300 degrees before actual physical damage occurs. At those temps, there may not be immediate damage but you can bet the fluid is shot and will lead to trans failure if it is not changed at the next opportunity.
The Ford trans will inidicate a serious and immediate problem by flashing the OD light on the gear selector. If that ever happens, I'd be looking for a tow to the nearest service center.
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Originally Posted by Casey
The factory sensor is located on the solenoid body.