Well, this trip displayed consistent temperatures in the 180-195 range. It seems that the service work performed by the garage helped, probably due to the new filter and proper fluid levels.

The only oddity left to this puzzle is whenever I drop my speed for any reason and then resume. This causes me to instantly gain 10-15 degrees, which can take several miles to lose. Oddly enough, I can negotiate mild climbs with zero impact to the temperature.

Other than the suggestions I've received on doing a flow-through exhaust changeout, I'm thinking that an electric fan will address the apparent air-flow anomolies that I see with speed reductions.

Is this consistent with anyone else's observations?

 

Hi, I just pulled up and have been reading this saga here.

Temps, I have no idea. But I'm all ears.

I just bought this 97 4.6 SCSB Auto with 57k mi. on it.

500 mi. ago I changed the trans filter (Purilator, I know, yuk!!)
and added 4 quarts of full synthetic ATF (Synlube).

The fluid was clean as a whistle, clear etc.

Although there were the standard bronze clouds. My fluids expert said it looked fairly good. I also added a hi-tensle magnet to the bottom of the pan to collect evidence of wear. And stick-on temp strips that find the average operating temperature of whatever you stick them to. (1 on bottom of trans, 1 on oil filter)

I guess It had been changed twice since new.

Anyways, I dont trust that purilator filter. (Just bought the one from ford today) and I'd like to completely flush everything out so I can Run as much full synthetic as possible.

The dealer said it would be about $85/labor for the flush. Is this high?

Oh, I also picked up a quick drain plug from the speed shop to retro-fit in the trans pan.


Thanx for the 8" fan/temp sensor tip.

There's no good reason these auto trans from ford can't last as long as the engines, is there? Last time I checked they were about $3500 a pop.

[This message has been edited by The White Monkey (edited 08-23-2000).]

 

To Cphilip...

I am seeing exactly 150-165 degrees, unloaded. Adding a 7000 load bumps it up to 180-195. Of course, this is without that muffin fan you suggested in your earlier post to try out.

I like your observations on bad grounding contributing to bad readings, although my engineering experience tends to make me think that a high-resistance ground return would lower the current flow to the meter, and therefore lower the reading.

On an entirely different note...in the picture of your dashboard: Is that white slash through the bezel of your guage a crack, or is it a danger line not to exceed? I also noticed what I thought was a fire icon at the 320 degree mark, but I could not be sure. I am great with numbers and letters, but terrible with symbols!

 

Wirechief

The 150-160 deg temps you are seeing unloaded, are online with normal operating temps. However, when towing, you are making the engine work harder, there is much more heat produced, and you get 'heat soak' much quicker. My 00' f150, has the trans cooler routed through the radiator before it gets to the cooler, and when the engine gets warm (towing/traffic) its difficult to keep the trans temps down. Installing my gauges, I put the grounds as close as possible to the senders, as this is what the mfg recommended. But with the electric fan on the cooler, it is managable. Next mod, electric fan to replace stock fan.

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2000 XLT Silver 5.4L SC 4X4 ORP 157"wb Ford Floormats, Mudguards, lighted emblems, lighted interior door handles(all 4) Chrome Grill (4x2 style), Diamondplate bed caps, Pro-Tech tool box, Air Box mod, Muth Signal Mirrors, Custom Gauge Pod-(water temp, trans temp)
Perma-cool 8" Electric Trans Cooler Fan

 

Sorry Wirechief, I wasn't aware you were towing when you got those high temps. Yes 150-160 not towing is good. But I never see over 170 towing either. But then again my load is no more than 5000 pounds as well so that is a mighty big load to pull you got there. You might investigate some synthetic fluids to hold up at those consistent higher temps better. And maybe one of those larger capacity fluid pans. And a fan if you get around to it

No, its some kind of reflection I am getting with the light from the flash. Took em very late evening almost dark when I finished the install. I need to try and get some in bright daylight to get rid of that reflection line. And Yes that is a hot fluid/fire like symbol at the high end. Don't know exactly what it stands for. Must be international sign language for HOT!

 

I thought maybe you might have placed a white line around the 170 degree mark, kind of analogous to the red line on a tachometer. I thought it was a nice touch!

I have a dislike for the international symbols, as it almost cost me a lawnmower engine to learn the hard way. I confused the gasoline and oil symbols, because they were pretty similar to one another. Fortunately, I caught it in time, because of the dipstick (not me, silly) attached to the filler cap. The caps were identical in size, but there were no words stamped on them, just the stupid icons.

What an irony: I am at a disadvantage because I read.

 

Do the temp guages come as a kit with
instructions? as for what circuit to use
for power and so on? been thinking about
a trans guage and a "real" water temp
guage, but using an a-pillar pod. like the
ones in all the magazine ads. J.C. Whitney used to carry a cooler with a fan
already attached. I wonder if they still do?
The main reason for my wanting to do
this is that my fluid is looking burnt before the scheduled change interval.
And I'm wondering what is really going on
in there.

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98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips
color matched snuglid
B&M Shiftplus
Westin nerfsblk powdercoat
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
Kenwood cd w/RS speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
On the way/wheels,tires,air dam,
doin the monochromatic boogie
on the front end.etc.etc....etc......

 

When towing I have NEVER seen temps lower than 190-220! That is with a 80-90 degree outside temp, on level it a slight upgrade. I am also on trans # 3 @ 22,000 mi., and a rear end. I am thinking of upgrading to the F-250 with the Disel, I am tired of the trans and the poor gas mi.

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1999 4.6 Extra Cab-Short Bed
Silver Clear Coat Metalic
K&N Airfilter
17 Inch 2000 Chrome 4X4 Wheels Wrapped in 275/60/17 ZR Yokahama AVS
White-Faced Luminescent Gauges
Flowmaster 3 inch Cat Back 40 Series Exhaust
3.5 Inch Polished Thermal Research Exhaust Tip
Clear Corner Lenses
Super White Headlight and Turn Signals
Trends Billet Antenna
Stull Billet Grill
e-mail SILVERFORDF150@AOL.COM

 

With all of my present viables, I can expect to see about 110 degrees + the outside air temperature at highway/freeway speeds, while towing 7000lbs. I will be interested to find out how an electric fan will change this.

My hypothesis is that it will probably have little, if any, impact on the temperature at highway/freeway speeds. However, I would expect it to make a big difference at the slower speeds.

I will post my observations after I have a chance to locate and install one.

 

Interestingly enough you will see a drop either way. Suprised me too. Here is some stuff on my experiences with installing a fan on my stock tranny cooler in a F250 SD. Might help.

A good long discussion and some links: http://forums.ford-diesel.com:8080/u...ML/001900.html

And some pictures of install and supplies: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...3146&a=6836646

 

Slightly off topic, in the 5-speed manual, 4.2l thread I mentioned a trans temp of 220F after highway use. Does anyone know of a pump to circulate the fluid through a cooler for manual transmissions. Am getting tired of changing the 'burnt' smelling fluid to get smooth shifts without squeaks. Of course the dealer service dept. tells me there is no known or repeatable problem...


------------------
Hutch
'99 F150 4x4 5spd Manual V6

 

I just got a 2001 F-150 4.6L 5-Speed. Is this something I need to worry about as well? Can someone take the time to explain how this works with the 5-speed as opposed to the auto.? TIA

-AR

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- 2001 F-150 XLT 4X4 Off-Road, S/C, FS, Black
- 4.6L Triton V8 (20 H.P. Increase)
- 5 Speed / 3:55 Reg. Axle
- Keyless
- Premium Audio CD
- Mods.
- K&N Cold Air mod.
- Flowmaster 40 (Stock Setup with 3 1/2" Gibson Tip)
- Bugshield
- Bedliner
- Ventshades