Transmission Oil Temp

[four winns 214]

I have a Scangauge II to monitor my transmission oil temperature. I can find no transmission oil temperature limits published. Above what transmission oil temperature should I be concerned?

 

[javsam]

Re: Transmission Oil Temp

if its at 240 farenheight,I would be very concerned.I believe it should be around 210 degrees or less.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Transmission Oil Temp

Here's the number one response I got when Goggling "transmission fluid temperature": http://www.startribune.com/cars/11355081.html

I removed my transmission temperature gauge because it was too much of a distraction everytime the needle moved. I decided an extra capacity radiator and transmission pan plus a transmission oil cooler was enough protection.

EDIT: Here's a link to Trailer Boats Magazine's Towing Guide where they say 170F is normal and anything over 200F is bad.

http://www.trailerboats.com/SharedCode/ford/output.cfm?id=2103301

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Transmission Oil Temp

Thanks for the steer to the Star-Tribune article. I had tried Google, but that article didn't appear for my search string.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Transmission Oil Temp

170 is normal, and every 10 degrees higher starts to drastically shorten the life of the tranny.

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: Transmission Oil Temp

ditto redone well done

 

[Titanium48]

Re: Transmission Oil Temp

If you're having a hard time keeping things cool, full synthetic lubricants have a higher heat tolerance than "dino oil".

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Transmission Oil Temp

i had this cool chart that had the long-term effects of constant use at different temps.....it was interesting. it didnt take much to cut the life of a trans. pretty much in half. btw, thanks prozac!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Transmission Oil Temp

Temp of FLUID vs Life expectency of FLUID
--------------
175?F 100,000 miles
195?F 50,000 miles
212?F 25,000 miles
235?F 12,000 miles
255?F 6,250 miles
275?F 3,000 miles
295?F 1,500 miles
315?F 750 miles
335?F 325 miles
355?F 160 miles
375?F 80 miles
390?F 40 miles
415?F Less than 30 minutes

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Transmission Oil Temp

yep that looks like it. its amazing, 20 degrees takes half the life away. i got a trans temp gauge im installing soon in my truck.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Transmission Oil Temp

Of course the reading you get depends on where the sensor is. If the sensor is at the pan, it is not reading what the fluid is really at. It should ideally be at the inlet of the cooler.

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: Transmission Oil Temp

most manufacturers put the sensor in the pan/valve or solenoid body--they want the operating temp to be 170-175 that way they can monitor the cooling system and turn on the warning indicator-if you put it at the inlet to cooler you get higher readings and not the operating temp

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Transmission Oil Temp

my trans has a test port that all the dodge guys use when installing one. its fairly easy, hardest part is running the wires all the way back to the cab. im just waiting on my gauge pod pillar and ill be putting mine in.

 

[shorts&chanclas]

Re: Transmission Oil Temp

I have seen mine get as high as 205 while towing during Texas daytime heat. i drive a '08 Avalanche with trailering package.

I beleive the GM sensors are in the flow of the transmission fluid accessible on the side of the housing versus the pan. In speaking with an uncle who recently "retired" out of Delphi said the GM units are accurate to + or - 2 degrees at the point where the oil is in use.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Transmission Oil Temp

Thanks. I have a 2007 Chevy Silverado without a tow package, but I installed an aux transmission oil cooler. I don't tow the boat very often and most times the temp is below 180 while towing in the summertime. The only time it gets above 200 is backing down a fairly steep ramp and down into my driveway. I have yet to figure that one out.

 

[shorts&chanclas]

Re: Transmission Oil Temp

maybe not enough airflow over the cooler when in reverse?