Tranny temps???
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
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Tranny temps???
It was 80*+ out yesterday and did some freeway driving. My tranny temp gauge (sending unit mounts to metal line running forward to the cooler) got up to 130*. I stopped to take a reading with my IR gun(infra-red temp gun). The port that has been recommended to use as the sending unit read 163*. Other areas read 180* to 188* but one area read 199* just behind and above mid way of the bell housing.
I would like youse guys advice on the readings.
Thanks,
Charlie
2000 PSD E350 Superduty extended van
I would like youse guys advice on the readings.
Thanks,
Charlie
2000 PSD E350 Superduty extended van
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,292
Likes: 6
From: Ardenvoir, Washington
199* is too hot for freeway driving but not too hot to hurt your trans.. Try towing thru town with a few hills and stoplights on a warm day.. This is what really jacks up my trans temps.. I try to keep them under 210*.. But, my freeway driving even with a 7K load will run around 150* .. Do you have a trans cooler ?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,292
Likes: 6
From: Ardenvoir, Washington
I found this info on the internet.. (which does not mean is it all true, but to make a point) :
"Of course, if you have a factory-built high-performance engine, or a big-cube power-maker, they both have a similar result from all that extra ‘motivation’ they produce. That result is HEAT! This extra heat easily finds its way into the automatic transmission, putting an extra burden on the automatic transmission fluid. In fact, the operating range of transmission fluid is so critical, that even a seemingly insignificant 10-degree difference in operating temperature can have severely damaging effects on your transmission. According to ‘B & M’, the optimum operating temperature for automatic transmission fluid is 170 degrees. For every 10 degree increase in operating temperature, the useable life of the fluid is reduced by half.
For example;
If the temperature is: the fluid life is:
170 degrees 20,000 miles
180 degrees 10,000 miles
190 degrees 5,000 miles
200 degrees 2,500 miles
210 degrees 1,250 miles
220 degrees 675 miles
over 220 degrees 0 miles "
"Of course, if you have a factory-built high-performance engine, or a big-cube power-maker, they both have a similar result from all that extra ‘motivation’ they produce. That result is HEAT! This extra heat easily finds its way into the automatic transmission, putting an extra burden on the automatic transmission fluid. In fact, the operating range of transmission fluid is so critical, that even a seemingly insignificant 10-degree difference in operating temperature can have severely damaging effects on your transmission. According to ‘B & M’, the optimum operating temperature for automatic transmission fluid is 170 degrees. For every 10 degree increase in operating temperature, the useable life of the fluid is reduced by half.
For example;
If the temperature is: the fluid life is:
170 degrees 20,000 miles
180 degrees 10,000 miles
190 degrees 5,000 miles
200 degrees 2,500 miles
210 degrees 1,250 miles
220 degrees 675 miles
over 220 degrees 0 miles "
Thread Starter
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Senior User
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Great info! So ideally, the tranny temp should be below 170*. How do I judge the temp readings from my IR temp gun?
This isn't even towing my 10,000 lb boat/trailer. I guess I need more tranny cooling.
This isn't even towing my 10,000 lb boat/trailer. I guess I need more tranny cooling.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,292
Likes: 6
From: Ardenvoir, Washington
You might check your bypass line and make sure it is working properly.. here some info on that:
http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?...ROD&ProdID=172
I have a IR gun also, maybe when I have time I will check mine the way you did..
http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?...ROD&ProdID=172
I have a IR gun also, maybe when I have time I will check mine the way you did..
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,738
Likes: 2,668
From: SE Florida
You can find all kinds of misinformation on the internet. This chart has ZERO truth to it.
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 49
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I had a Dodge 1500, with V8 engine. I am not sure what the rear diff is. It had 49K miles on the meter when I purchased a 6,000 lbs travel trailer. I towed the trailer for three trips within a span of six weeks for a total of less than 800 miles. The transmission blew.
Odometer reading was slightly less than 51K.
On flat terrain, with the gas pedal all the way to the floor, this Dodge and the trailer were making 60 miles/hour. We went through about 100 miles of hilly, not mountains, country out west Texas and best speed was 45 miles/hour. It was really struggling.
I did not have temperature gauge installed to know what transmission fluid temperature was. But I am quite convinced that transmission failure was due to towing that camper and it certainly did not take that many miles to break down. That was a 1.5K lesson for me.....
I dumped that Dodge, bought a 7.3 and the very first mod was a Trucool tranny cooler before I hooked up the trailer to it. Next mod will be a temperature gauge for the tranny.
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