extremly warm differential
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
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extremly warm differential
IS IT NORMAL FOR THE DIFF IN A 97 F250 TO BE EXTREMELY WARM ALMOST HOT AFTER AN HOUR OF DRIVING 60MPH. NOT TOWING OR HAULING ANYTHING. OIL LEVEL IS FINE. NO NOISE OR VIBRATION EITHER.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
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extremly warm differential
Front or rear? I've noticed my rear 10.25 gets downright hot after driving like you describe.
Once I get the truck running again I'll point my infrared temp gun at it to get some concrete figures.
Once I get the truck running again I'll point my infrared temp gun at it to get some concrete figures.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: So Cal
extremly warm differential
It can be fairly warm, almost too hot to touch. Too hot to touch is not all that hot on the temperature scale. Just touch the side of a coffee pot, that is only about 190 to maybe 212F which is not too hot for differential fluid, but really bad news for your hand. Hot tap water is usually about 125F. So hot is relative.
Our big trucks loose a lot of power to friction in the drive train. Friction creates heat.
The few times I have changed differential fluid while hot(in cars or trucks), it was pretty warm, just bearable on the skin for short periods.
Of course just warm is better, but most likely your truck is not too hot.
The more important question is what condition is your fluid? If it has lots of miles or is black then you may have a problem. A 97 on average should have about 50,000 miles plus. Well worth dropping the pan or pulling the plug and doing a fluid change AND taking a peek around inside the case. Look for chunks of metal bigger than rice. The fluid should have that sulfur smell, not a burnt smell. If the fluid is black, it is either dirty or it is burnt. The magnet should only have a coating of grey fuzz and maybe one or two flecks of metal.
Look at the gears they should be shiney silver color on the contact area. If it is that funny blue like you see on chrome motorcycle mufflers, you may have overheated things. But the oil would have failed before that I think.
So, I recommend a change and inspection. I am no expert but I think in general what I have said above is reasonably accurate.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Our big trucks loose a lot of power to friction in the drive train. Friction creates heat.
The few times I have changed differential fluid while hot(in cars or trucks), it was pretty warm, just bearable on the skin for short periods.
Of course just warm is better, but most likely your truck is not too hot.
The more important question is what condition is your fluid? If it has lots of miles or is black then you may have a problem. A 97 on average should have about 50,000 miles plus. Well worth dropping the pan or pulling the plug and doing a fluid change AND taking a peek around inside the case. Look for chunks of metal bigger than rice. The fluid should have that sulfur smell, not a burnt smell. If the fluid is black, it is either dirty or it is burnt. The magnet should only have a coating of grey fuzz and maybe one or two flecks of metal.
Look at the gears they should be shiney silver color on the contact area. If it is that funny blue like you see on chrome motorcycle mufflers, you may have overheated things. But the oil would have failed before that I think.
So, I recommend a change and inspection. I am no expert but I think in general what I have said above is reasonably accurate.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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From: Chicago Area
extremly warm differential
What do we figure would be a safe maximum? Same as an automatic transmission?...or, could this simpler set of gears run hotter?..or would the LS clutches have a problem?
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