Just had my temp gauge installed and towed with it for the first time last weekend with the gauge. Around town it's showing a hair above 150. Towing in Fla at around 85-90 degrees i got a high reading of about 180. It normally was a little under that . I would say 170-175. Are these readings looking ok to you guys?
Also i had one other question. Since i have cooked one torque converter towing my TT without a cooler i was just wondering what that 180 degrees towing with a cooler might be if i was towing without a cooler.I had the cooler installed after the tranny problem. I know thats a hypothetical question but does anyone have a guess? Im just was wondering if it was indeed the heat and lack of changing fluid that cooked my converter. My tranny problem occured at 31000 miles and the fluid had never been changed. I was towing without the cooler.
Dave
2000 F150XL Supercab 4X4 4.6L 3:31 Cat back exhaust, auto meter, K& N filter.
Where are you getting your temps from(where did you install the probe for the temp readings)? I have mine in the line coming out the trans to the coolers. Your readings look normal to me. I take it you are towing with the O/D off? The hottest my temp gets is during those times in O/D when the torque converter unlocks. That really heats things up. I saw 215 on the gauge just from that going up a hill not towing a dang thing. Once the O/D is off or the converter locks back up the temps instantly drop.
Galaxy,
My probe is in a test port on the body of the tranny. I know there is a raging debate where you get the most accurate readings. This is towing temps with the overdrive off.
I just installed my trans temp assy (elec.) in the LINE port and it's indicating 155-160 with trans cooler and in OD (outside temp 85-90). Takes a long time getting to 155. Haven't pulled our trailer yet so that will be the true test, trailer wt is 4,000 dry.
Steve
1999 F150XLT Sport Supercab, 4.6, 3:55, 17 inch wheels
K & N filter
As far as where to put it, the test port (line port on the 4R70) is the easeist place to put it, teh converter out line is the most accurate, but it doesn't really matter, the key is to put it in one or the other and get a feel for what it reads FROM WHERE YOU PUT IT, and if it goes up or down form whatever you establish is normal, then start looking for why. Mine is in the test port, which reads a little lower than at the converter out line.
My mechanical temp gauge is in the pan. I've seen 190 a few times and the fluid always checked out good when I looked at it. Last week I got a little abusive in reverse trying to back the 5th wheel. I looked down and the temp was at 200. Luckily I was almost finished so I left her in neutral for about 5 min. no change. I turned off the motor and the temp dropped within a few minutes.
My fluid got slightly burned and I will be changing today. I have read that a combo of temp and time will kill the fluid. I normally would have stopped before 200 but it was hot outside and it snuck up on me. Lesson.... I think I will be more cautious when backing during the heat of the day and keep an eye on the temp in that situation. That's why I put the gauge in but never saw over 190 even towing in Colorado. My 5th wheel is 5300#.
Anyway I thought I'd let you know what happened to me.
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'00 F-150 Super Cab Tow pkg. 5.4, 3.55LS, Superchip, Cervini's ram air hood, CIPA X-Mount extendable tow mirrors, Autoguage Mechanical Trans temp gauge in single pillar pod (kept my grab handle), Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller, Reese 15K Quik Slide, rear Hellwig anti-sway bar, BFG LT245/75R16 Long Trails....others
Pulled the trailer (4,300 lbs wet) last weekend and had the following results. Trans. temp between 170-185 going 60mph with outside temp 70-80. Never used OD. Trans temp went to 190-195 in town (light to light) with outside temp 85-95. Outside temp makes a big difference. This was mostly flat land so didn't pull any big hills. This 4.6 is right on the edge as far as power, not sure I'd want to go on a trip with lots of hills. I did order a superchip today so maybe that will make the difference (I hope).
Steve
1999 F150XLT sport supercab, 4.6, 3:55, 17 inch wheels, all stock
After I changed out my "slightly burned fluid" I think maybe it was OK. I think I was worried about nothing. If I see 200 for short duration in the future (with no other indications" I will keep running the fuid for the season.
At least I *know* I've got good fresh fluid now and can base all judgements on that.
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