Tranny cooler question
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Senior User
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From: North Carolina
Tranny cooler question
Sorry for ANOTHER question, but y'all already have me addicted to the wealth of knowledge here.
Does an 01 F250 have a standard tranny cooler?
And how hard is it to put in a transmission temp guage? Say if my experience level is spark plug wires and belt pulley wheels. But I'm good at following directions and turning bolts. Is there a way to tap in to pre-existing sensors on this truck like plug and play?
Does an 01 F250 have a standard tranny cooler?
And how hard is it to put in a transmission temp guage? Say if my experience level is spark plug wires and belt pulley wheels. But I'm good at following directions and turning bolts. Is there a way to tap in to pre-existing sensors on this truck like plug and play?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
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From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
Two, actually. One in the radiator, and one between the I/C & AC condenser. But even with those, the cooling isn't adequate. A lot of folks either upgrade to the 6.0 cooler (3x the stock cooler size!) or add another aux cooler out front. I went with the 6.0L cooler myself, and it dropped the trans operating temp 50 degrees!
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
In a nutshell, you mount your gauge pod, run the trans temp wire through the firewall and down to the tranny. Then you unscrew a plug on the drivers side trans, screw the sensor into the port, and attach the temp wire to the sensor.
Stewart
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From: North Carolina
Two? Hmmm will keep that in mind, Joe, perhaps will try out a guage and see what it tells me.
Oh wow, Stewart, that sounds quite doable. I am embarrassed to admit that I once ran a cable for a bass amp in my old Explorer (oh it was so ghetto, but it sounded great) all the way from the battery to the tailgate, so it can't be worse than that! By pulling a plug, do you then have to drain and replace all the tranny fluid?
I am sure there are previous threads on here with type/brand recommendations for gauges, so I will see what I can dig up on that.
Oh wow, Stewart, that sounds quite doable. I am embarrassed to admit that I once ran a cable for a bass amp in my old Explorer (oh it was so ghetto, but it sounded great) all the way from the battery to the tailgate, so it can't be worse than that! By pulling a plug, do you then have to drain and replace all the tranny fluid?
I am sure there are previous threads on here with type/brand recommendations for gauges, so I will see what I can dig up on that.
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From: North Carolina
Awesome, thanks for the pics, I am a visual learner! Do you have to do anything special to make sure there are no leaks? Is it like Crutchfield stereos where they give you lovely step by step directions -- although it appears there are only about three steps?
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
After removing the plug, I just kept my finger over the port so I wouldn't have to deal with too much fluid dripping.
I used yellow teflon tape (yellow teflon tape is a double density tape used in gas applications. Some guys swear its better in chemical environments but teflon is teflon, ya know? Yellow is just thicker) around the threads of the sending unit and screwed the unit into the port.
That's all there is to it.
It's like you hit the "Easy Button" because hey, lets face it, it's so easy a caveman can do it!
Stewart
PS - Here are some instructions from ITP's website. Dennis does a good job detailing the instructions for install. http://www.itpdiesel.com/other/7.3L%...structions.pdf
I used yellow teflon tape (yellow teflon tape is a double density tape used in gas applications. Some guys swear its better in chemical environments but teflon is teflon, ya know? Yellow is just thicker) around the threads of the sending unit and screwed the unit into the port.
That's all there is to it.
It's like you hit the "Easy Button" because hey, lets face it, it's so easy a caveman can do it!
Stewart
PS - Here are some instructions from ITP's website. Dennis does a good job detailing the instructions for install. http://www.itpdiesel.com/other/7.3L%...structions.pdf
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 812
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From: Northwest Florida
Wildlifer, just keep the area clean around the threads, only use about 2 wraps of teflon, and don't overtighten. I like to wipe around the old fitting with a rag wet with paint thinner to remove all the grime before pulling it. Check for leaks after running.
As for routing the wire, I found it real easy to pull the floor mat up (from the front, either side) and poke a hole in the rubber plug you'll find in the floorboard there. Maybe wire-tie a couple of places or and/or spiral-wrap to keep the wire from chafing or getting in the way of something else. BTW, you'll likely have to order a guage as they just don't seem to stock them in the auto parts stores.
Good luck and happy motoring.
As for routing the wire, I found it real easy to pull the floor mat up (from the front, either side) and poke a hole in the rubber plug you'll find in the floorboard there. Maybe wire-tie a couple of places or and/or spiral-wrap to keep the wire from chafing or getting in the way of something else. BTW, you'll likely have to order a guage as they just don't seem to stock them in the auto parts stores.
Good luck and happy motoring.
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From: North Carolina
Thanks, this is all fantastic, you folks are great! I have located a couple older threads on gauge sources and have found the ISSPRO gauges over at dieselmanor.com that were recommended by one poster. I am open to suggestions if y'all know of something better that doesn't cost more money (and less money is always better, of course, as long as it's good stuff). I figured within price points, a gauge is a gauge is a gauge, but I'm not the expert, obviously.
It sounds heinously easy, which is pretty much a guarantee that I will either (a) hurt myself or (b) spray tranny fluid in my eyes or (c) drop a tool on my head and curse and flail about loudly to my neighbours' endless entertainment. At which point I shall return to ask how one removes transmission fluid from one's retinas. I think I'll wear the glasses that day as a pre-emptive measure, LOL.
It sounds heinously easy, which is pretty much a guarantee that I will either (a) hurt myself or (b) spray tranny fluid in my eyes or (c) drop a tool on my head and curse and flail about loudly to my neighbours' endless entertainment. At which point I shall return to ask how one removes transmission fluid from one's retinas. I think I'll wear the glasses that day as a pre-emptive measure, LOL.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 812
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From: Northwest Florida
You know, I don't remember fluid even running out of the hole. It may have, but I had the sending unit ready to thread in there, so was of no consequence.
Another popular brand of guages here is Autometer. You can find many many venders. I ended up with one from Ebay.
Another popular brand of guages here is Autometer. You can find many many venders. I ended up with one from Ebay.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,549
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From: Payson, AZ
wildlifer,
If you don't have a Boost and EGT gauge you might as well do them as well. They're both just as easy if not easier then doing a Trans temp gauge. Might as well go with a 3 gauge pod as with a single gauge pod.
If you don't have a Boost and EGT gauge you might as well do them as well. They're both just as easy if not easier then doing a Trans temp gauge. Might as well go with a 3 gauge pod as with a single gauge pod.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
Believe it or not, that much bothers me! LOL.
I too was ready, but one small drip was faster than I was and it escaped!!
Stewart
I too was ready, but one small drip was faster than I was and it escaped!!
Stewart