I know I asked this question before and I did do some searches but I still do not know at what trans. temp. is considered high and when towing when should I pull over and let it cool down?

 

I'd keep it under 200

 

Also, when you pull over, put the tranny in neutral and leave the truck running so it keeps the transmission fluid pumping through the cooler.

 

Yeah, 200 is the upper limit IMO. I have an active trans cooler and it kicks the fan on at 180.

 

IMO, it depends.....

If you are pulling a huge grade and you are in 2nd gear and your trans temp is > 210* for example, I would not pull over. Even if it was over 220* I'd probably continue if it did not continue to rise.

Now, if it got to 250* and you still have some way to go up that grade, then you should probably pull over and let things cool down some.....

The only problem with that is once you get it cooled down, it'll probably only get to around 180* or so..... Now you will have to take off in first gear (that does not lock the TC) going up hill!! You'll see that trans temp rise back up to over 200* pretty darn fast!

Now, if you are running over 200* in a totally level situation and it's sustaining that temp over a long period, then you should consider some additional cooling. It will also depend on where you have your temp sensor. If it's in the pan or the test port, you will have a bit lower temps then if it's in the trans output line and the TC is running unlocked. If the TC is running locked, then the temps should be about the same.

What that chart shows is if you run your trans temp @ 325* for 500 miles, then your transmission will be toast. If your temp is always 200* then expect your trans to go around 75,000 miles.....

My trans temp will sustain around 180* for the most part. I've found it will do this on hot days towing or not. Most times, it's around the 165* mark and in the winter, it'll barely get above 100*....

I've hit 210* before on a long grade, but that was because my TC was still unlocked in 2nd gear and once it locked, the temp settled in at 195* for the rest of the pull. Once I reached the top and started down the hill, it went back down to under 180* and all was fine.

The only other times my trans temp has gotten above 200* was in stop and go traffic right when I get off the freeway to go home. I make it the couple of miles home and park the thing in the street in front of the house and let it idle while I take the WD bars off and prep it for it's parking spot next to the house. By the time I'm ready to park it, the temp is down to around 180* or less and all is good again!

I like having my trans temp gauge (sensor is in the trans output line) as well as my aftermarket water temp gauge. Between the two, I get a really good idea of how hard I'm working the truck and can take appropriate action if any of those temps gets too high....

Good luck!

Mitch

 

I know that with my SE-R whenever I'm doing Time Attack and see high oil temps, I pour distilled water over the cooler.

Which reminds me, make sure to occasionally rinse out the tranny cooler. With it in the direct airstream like that, bugs and debris can clog it up just like the radiator.

 

These posts make me want a temp gauge. I only pull a 2,000 pound tent camper but would never know what my trans temp is. Hopefully it is light enough that the temp never becomes an issue. But we do tow it in the mountains. And you wonder about those all-day runs across Iowa and Nebraska.

 

Bob,

It's pretty easy to install one. I popped for a water temp gauge at the same time, since I was at it. Took me about 8 hours total time over a weekend. I took my time and there were many beer breaks!

I got the gauges and dual pod for the A post from Summit for around $100.00 shipped. I spent another $50 or so getting the necessary hardware and wiring. Got that all from Home Depot BTW...

I was glad I got mine, just for the fact that I now know what my actual temps are and not relying on Fords STUPID gauges that all they do is point in the middle (except for the gas gauge!!) and tell you absolutly nothing!

Mitch

 

Thanks Mitch. While I"m pretty good with wrenches and mechanical things, I'm not sure I have the confidence to tap into lines; or know which ones to tap. I'm tempted, even though I have an Xcal 2, to get an "edge" just for the gauges; which I think covers trans temp. By the way, I've been on this board for some time and recognize your "handle". I want to compliment you on your many thoughtful, helpful, informative, and mature posts. You are a real asset to this board.

Bob

 

Thanks for the kind words Bob. I reconized you too and feel the same way. Didn't really mean to hijack this post, but anyway....

I didn't want to mess with the hard lines either, so I tapped into the rubber hose part of the trans line up front under the rad. I used the line that goes to the top of the rad. For the water temp, I tapped into the heater hose that comes out of the engine. Some hose clamps, brass T's, hose fittings, some wire for ground and it's a done deal. Of course there is mounting the gauges, but that's not so bad either.... If I can do it, anybody can!



Mitch

 

Clever approach Mitch. Maybe I WILL give this a try. I really want trans temp and oil pressure (a real one). Thanks for the info.

 

According to a Ford tranny tech all 97 and up trucks have a tranny fluid temp (TFT) sensor monitored by the PCM. If the fluid temp exceeds 270F the PCM will throw a code P1783 and turn on the CEL. If you are pulling a long hill and your tranny temp gets to 250F just slow down and gear down (low if necessary) and the temp will stabilize and probably start dropping. Pulling over and stopping is not a good idea unless the CEL comes on and you are willing to sit for 2-3 hours.

 

270*? That's kind of like the low oil light, aka the "replace engine light" that turns on at anything less than like 8psi.

If your transmission fluid hits 270*, you can put a fork in it, because it's done.

Isn't that sensor in the pan anyway? Even worse.

 

How hot does your tranny have to get before you can smell the oil cooking?

I've reached that point with my truck 2 times before, and it kinda scared me. It shifted crazy for a few minutes after that, but when I got going down the road, it went back to normal. Both times it happened at FULL throttle, barely moving, 2nd gear, speedo reading 60-70mph. I sustained this situation for about 3 minutes the first time I smelt it, and about 1.5 minutes the second.

Not a good idea IMHO.