gmcjimmy4x4
1/2 ton status
Just installed a guage to monitor my tranmission temperatures while towing. What is a normal temperature during daily driving? And also when is it getting too hot?
CK5
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What should my tranny temp be?
- Thread starter gmcjimmy4x4
- Start date
Dafey
1/2 ton status
Doesnt it matter where you put the temp sender? I ask because Im fixing to install one myself...
gmcjimmy4x4
1/2 ton status
Everyone i talked to said the best place was in the pan because thats where most of the fluid is located at any given time. Also the tranny picks up the fluid through the filter out of the pan.
Chrisblazzer89
1/2 ton status
How hard was it to install?? which one did you use?
Ned Kelly
1/2 ton status
I use synthetic ATF. Here's some temp vs tranny life charts:
http://www.txchange.com/heatchrt.htm
http://www.4x4trailhunters.com/article.php?id=21
http://www.enginebalancers.com/Products/TechInfo/trans_life_expectancy.asp
There's More To Coolers Than You Think: It's no secret that heat kills automatic transmissions. And in high-performance street-strip applications, the problem is especially acute. Small diameter torque converters coupled with stop-and-go traffic greatly increase the heat level in an automatic transmission. In most cases, the extra performance heat under the hood can have the same effect as heavy loads, trailer towing and desert conditions.
How hot is too hot? The ideal operating temperature for automatic transmission fluid is between 175 and 225° F. At approximately 240° F, important additives in the ATF begin to cook. The result is the formation of varnish inside the transmission. At approximately 260° F, internal transmission seals (which are typically manufactured from a polyacrylate material) begin to harden. The end results are leaks, both internal and external, simply because the seals lose their elasticity. At approximately 295° F, transmission clutch plates begin to slip because the oil is breaking down further. At approximately 315° F, seals and clutches effectively burn out. Carbon forms in the oil and for all intents and purposes, the transmission is junk. Just for your information, a typical transmission will die within 2000 miles if subjected to 300° F+ heat.
http://www.txchange.com/heatchrt.htm
http://www.4x4trailhunters.com/article.php?id=21
http://www.enginebalancers.com/Products/TechInfo/trans_life_expectancy.asp
There's More To Coolers Than You Think: It's no secret that heat kills automatic transmissions. And in high-performance street-strip applications, the problem is especially acute. Small diameter torque converters coupled with stop-and-go traffic greatly increase the heat level in an automatic transmission. In most cases, the extra performance heat under the hood can have the same effect as heavy loads, trailer towing and desert conditions.
How hot is too hot? The ideal operating temperature for automatic transmission fluid is between 175 and 225° F. At approximately 240° F, important additives in the ATF begin to cook. The result is the formation of varnish inside the transmission. At approximately 260° F, internal transmission seals (which are typically manufactured from a polyacrylate material) begin to harden. The end results are leaks, both internal and external, simply because the seals lose their elasticity. At approximately 295° F, transmission clutch plates begin to slip because the oil is breaking down further. At approximately 315° F, seals and clutches effectively burn out. Carbon forms in the oil and for all intents and purposes, the transmission is junk. Just for your information, a typical transmission will die within 2000 miles if subjected to 300° F+ heat.
Chrisblazzer89 said:
I've used the B&M kit on a coupla trucks. Easy to plumb, comes with all the pieces you need, etc.
I mounted one in a plastic plate in the ashtray:
http://www.slosh.com/ck5/trans-temp-gauge-1.JPG
and plumbed the sender into the cooler. IIRC, it went into the top line, i.e. the hot one, not the return one.
My attitude is that it doesn't matter so much WHERE in the system that it's plumbed, as that you know what's okay and what's not for your particular truck.
-- A
gmcjimmy4x4
1/2 ton status
I bought an autometer guage for $49 and it came with a electrical sending unit that i mounted in the side of the pan. I just bought a $10 drain plug kit through summit. All you have to do is drill 1 1/2 hole and bolt the plug kit in place, and then the sending unit just screws right into that. Run a few wires and your done. Tried mine today and the temp is running about 165 during normal driving conditions.
Ned Kelly
1/2 ton status
I also bought the B&M auto trans drain plug kit for $10 and put the temp sender into it instead of the drain plug itself. Had it for 15yrs. Works well. Gives you the temp of tranny pan oil.
A newer option is this:
http://www.autometer.com/cat_accessorieslist.aspx?pid=40
I guess you would splice it into the return line that goes into the trans AFTER the fluid comes out of the tranny cooler? Not sure - can't recall what is the best placement for this.
My TH400 (with cooler) stays between 160-190, very rarely will it go up to 200 (can't even recall last time that happened) even in heavy mud or snow wheeling. Synthetic ATF at Walmart is made by Valvoline (last time I checked anyways). I buy the big pail of 20 litres. Using low range also helps keep your tranny cool.
A newer option is this:
http://www.autometer.com/cat_accessorieslist.aspx?pid=40
I guess you would splice it into the return line that goes into the trans AFTER the fluid comes out of the tranny cooler? Not sure - can't recall what is the best placement for this.
My TH400 (with cooler) stays between 160-190, very rarely will it go up to 200 (can't even recall last time that happened) even in heavy mud or snow wheeling. Synthetic ATF at Walmart is made by Valvoline (last time I checked anyways). I buy the big pail of 20 litres. Using low range also helps keep your tranny cool.
Last edited:
Dafey
1/2 ton status
I have this sender with out the 2 screw on pieces. Where am I supposed to install it? JC Whitney of course didn't send instructions with it...
Sorry for the hi-jack.
Sorry for the hi-jack.
broncoman6524
1/2 ton status
hey i have a gague just hangnin out in my shop for this...i think im goiing to do mine on the front or side of ym th400s pan....
Ned Kelly
1/2 ton status
Spent my afternoon (5hrs) heavy mud wheeling and pulling out trucks yesterday. Some long pulls out of the 4x4 area (couple of miles) and my trans temp stayed at 160-180 deg. It was hot day too - 30 degree Celsius (86 degree Fahrenheit). I find my trans runs alittle cooler with the synthetic ATF. I run 39.5" TSL's and stay in low range (some guys insist on running high range
- their tranny's must get hot).
- their tranny's must get hot).
gmcjimmy4x4
1/2 ton status
The 2 screw in peices that your referring to are the drain plug kit. It doent come with the sender. Just go online to summit or i even saw them at napa. Just make sure the thread paaters are the same. I think most senders will be 1/8 npt
Dafey
1/2 ton status
gmcjimmy4x4 said:
Cool , I`ll just take my drain plug and sender to the store and match them up with the part I need.
broncoman6524
1/2 ton status
where is everybody putting their senders? like the drain plug kit i mean...
i was gonna do on the side...like parrallel with the body.
i was gonna do on the side...like parrallel with the body.
Ned Kelly
1/2 ton status
That is where my plug is.
Any of these kits will work - they are all the same.
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/KeywordSearchCmd?storeId=10001&catalogId=10002&langId=-1&N=0&Ntt=transmission+drain+plug+kit&Ntk=all&Nty=1&D=transmission+drain+plug+kit&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchall&Dx=mode%2Bmatchall&searchTerm=transmission+drain+plug+kit
Here's the ATF temp gauge I used. Most temp sending units will screw in. As someone mentioned, I think it is 1/8 size.
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/KeywordSearchCmd?storeId=10001&N=1010535%2B4294965352&Ne=1143230&langId=-1
broncoman6524 said:
Any of these kits will work - they are all the same.
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/KeywordSearchCmd?storeId=10001&catalogId=10002&langId=-1&N=0&Ntt=transmission+drain+plug+kit&Ntk=all&Nty=1&D=transmission+drain+plug+kit&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchall&Dx=mode%2Bmatchall&searchTerm=transmission+drain+plug+kit
Here's the ATF temp gauge I used. Most temp sending units will screw in. As someone mentioned, I think it is 1/8 size.
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/KeywordSearchCmd?storeId=10001&N=1010535%2B4294965352&Ne=1143230&langId=-1
JpEater
1/2 ton status
If my transmission fluid temp breaks 200 I would get a bigger cooler.
