Trans Temps

[cat_dr.]

So I recently noticed my trans temps running a bit higher than usual. I recently installed efi on my truck a month or so ago and didn't really notice any change in temps. it wasn't till I pulled a trailer with 3 atvs the other weekend that I saw my temp getting around 200 or so. Now just normal driving it stays around 180 or 200. And im thinkin that is a bit high considering it wasn't that high last summer. Everything else seems fine no slipping that I can tell. Any suggestions?

 

[jmaz268]

Did you check/smell fluid and level?

Overall that temp is around the normal operating temp

 

[cat_dr.]

I have checked fluid and the level is good also not not burnt. The fluid is not very old either as I just recently installed trans go with new fluid. Have not changed spin on filter though. And I have read that those temps aren't to high but I'm used to them staying around 150 or 160

 

[Mike L.]

Where exactly is the fluid level on the stick at 175F? When we are diagnosing, stating that the fluid level is good does not cut it.

 

[cat_dr.]

It was half way between the low mark and full

 

[wilsonck]

I am with you. I have seen the exact same thing with my truck this spring. Suncoast 3 in it for 4 years and this last month, it has been higher with up to 216F going down the highway for 1 hour.

 

[Hot COCOAL]

Have you checked to see if the fins of the transmission cooler are cloged up with bugs? I have noticed there seems to be more insects this year than years past, I have been considering backing my grille and air ports in the bumper with window screen like material.

Also, taking the trans cooler off and having a trans shop flush it may be a good idea, maybe it won't, Mike L would know if that would help better than me

 

[AKlowriderZ71]

Is there a writeup or a thread explaining the best method for checking trans fluid level vs transmission temp? And are the 5 speeds to be checked any differently than the 6 speeds?

My trans temps seem to get up to 135+ pretty quickly, then slowly climb from there. After 30-40 minutes of highway driving (empty at 70-75mph) they level off between 160-170. I should add that our ambient temps are in the 50's, and I have a Lund grille insert setup blocking off most of my grille. Fluid level seems to vary widely with trans temps.

A buddy of mine has a 2003 LB7. We changed his filters & fluid a few months ago. Last weekend, he towed a LARGE ocean boat through the pass. His trans temps got up to 200, and pushed fluid out of the rear vent on the trans. IIRC, we set his fluid level to the full mark at around 150*. In hindsight, I think we overfilled it, but I can't find much info on the subject.

 

[OregonDMAX]

good questions, I would like to know as well basically what temp to check the level at and where it should be on the dipstick at the desired temp.

hopefully someone will chime in with experience.

 

[wilsonck]

Aklowrider, your temps seem to be what I think they should be normally. Also it does sound like you guys overfilled your buddies tranny.

there are lots of threads where Mike L says that the Fluid level should be no higher than the middle of the hot grid ( low-high ) at 175 F or that the fluid should be at the bottom of the 'full / hot' band when hot and no higher, otherwise it gets pushed out the vent.

 

[S Phinney]

To the OP you stated that you recently installed a trans go kit correct? This would raise line pressures and in turn raise trans temps.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[cat_dr.]

Yes I did but I had it in a few months before I started noticing the higher temps. Even after installing trans go temps would stay around 150. It wasn't until after installed efi that I noticed the higher temps.

 

[JoshH]

Could be the increased power and possibly more liberal use of the skinny pedal (?) is pushing against the converter more (for lack of a better term) creating more heat in the system. Just a thought. Or perhaps the tune takes less throttle causing the transmission to shift sooner and create more slip speed in the converter while unlocked. Just a couple of thoughts on what might be going on. I can't really think of anything that could be done with EFILive to really affect trans temps either good or bad.

 

[cat_dr.]

I'm not blaming it on the efi at all. I was just thinking that the increased power could be causing converter slip possibly which I know will create more heat. But as far as driving I have been driving it the same as with before with the bully dog. I'm just trying to make sure I don't have an issue that need fixing before I burn up my trans.

 

[DMAXchris]

100º over ambient temp is normal operating range. Mine has always run around 180-200º in the summer.

 

[cat_dr.]

Thats what's got me concerned. Because last summer even with 100 temps I would really have to drive mine hard to evere see 180 or 200. It would still stay around 150 under normal driving.

 

[DMAXchris]

Thats what's got me concerned. Because last summer even with 100 temps I would really have to drive mine hard to evere see 180 or 200. It would still stay around 150 under normal driving.

That's weird. Ive never been in one of these trucks that ran that cool in the summer. In the winter time 150º is normal.

 

[cat_dr.]

I have two buddies of mine with same trucks and both of there's run that cool.

 

[Mike L.]

To the OP you stated that you recently installed a trans go kit correct? This would raise line pressures and in turn raise trans temps.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Transgo cannot raise line pressure. That can only be done at the pressure regulator spring in the pump. If it's pumping out the over flow it is over full or there is an issue at the sump filter.
Fluid should be checked at 175F on a level surface in Park. Take 3 readings and check both sides of the stick. If one side is higher, use the low side as your reference as the high side is reading splash. With a shallow pan, the fluid should be no higher than the middle of the Hot grid. With deep pan, the level should be at the bottom of the Hot grid as the dipstick does not touch the pan bottom.

 

[OregonDMAX]

absolutely perfect answer Mike thanks for all of your great info, i'm going to re-check mine right now as i know its a tad bit over full after reading this.