Tranny temps

[Belias21]

Curious where you all hover on tranny oil temp in your expys. I have a 2017 that seems (in my opinion) to run pretty hot all the time. I hit 238 while towing a few weeks back (~5500# on flat hwy) which had me very concerned, so I recently installed the OEM transmission oil cooler.
I haven't had the trailer out since I installed that, but did some highway driving today and was hovering in the high 190's. (Overcast/rainy day, moderate traffic, air temps low 70's, less than 30 min drive). To me that still seems high.
In a couple weeks we'll be towing up some moderate climbs (Charlotte to Gatlinburg) and I know that'll be a true test. So just overall curious what you all seeing and if this is just normal for these trucks.
Thanks!

 

[ExplorerTom]

The 6r80 runs hotter than your older transmissions. 190 unloaded is not unheard of. I’ll see 205 on a warm day unloaded in city traffic.

Keep the fluid fresh. Change it occasionally. I installed a pan with a drain plug to help with changes.

 

[07navi]

The 6r80 runs hotter than your older transmissions. 190 unloaded is not unheard of. I’ll see 205 on a warm day unloaded in city traffic.

Keep the fluid fresh. Change it occasionally. I installed a pan with a drain plug to help with changes.

How important do you think changing the filter is? I know my Excursion filter was supposed to be lifetime.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Lifetime filters (and fluid) will usually last the last the life of whatever they are installed in. They may also be the cause of death.

 

[07navi]

Lifetime filters (and fluid) will usually last the last the life of whatever they are installed in. They may also be the cause of death.

So you drain yours and then remove the pan?

 

[ExplorerTom]

I’ve only done it once so far, before the drain pan was installed. But yes. Drain the fluid, then drop the pan to change the filter. I did it for what was probably the first time around 100k miles. Going to do every 30k miles now. Just a fluid change.

 

[07navi]

I’ve only done it once so far, before the drain pan was installed. But yes. Drain the fluid, then drop the pan to change the filter. I did it for what was probably the first time around 100k miles. Going to do every 30k miles now. Just a fluid change.

Mine had 138K when I bought it but the fluid and filter had obviously been changed at some point but I changed it again and plan to change it every 30k miles also.

 

[Belias21]

Owners manual states no change needed until 150k. Seems like this is a controversial subject from the brief searching I’ve done here and other forums.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Owners manual states no change needed until 150k. Seems like this is a controversial subject from the brief searching I’ve done here and other forums.

Then change it at 150k. You do you. I’ll continue to do me.

But I also change my oil at 5k and not pay attention to the oil life monitor.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

Unloaded I usually top out in the 180s and that's either when running very slow or very fast for extended periods. When loaded up (6,000-7,500 lbs for me) I usually top out in the 190s, but have gone up to around 220 briefly when climbing a steep grade in the summer.

 

[69Rustang]

I joined this board to discuss my Expedition, now we are talking about Trannies? I am pretty tolerant, just didn’t expect this.

 

[Bigfishfin]

Per FordTechMakuloco, I ignore Ford's ridiculous fluid change recommendations, especially now with towing my TT. With 50,000 miles on the clock I just changed the transmission filter and fluid, transfer case fluid and both differential lubes...Regarding the OP question, towing my 7,000 pound trailer, I never have gotten over 210 degrees of trans temp except once, after fueling, when I did not engage tow/haul...And I did install the factory auxiliary trans cooler...I also change my full synthetic engine oil and Motorcraft filter at 5,000 miles...

For what it's worth, I would not be concerned with 190 degrees as a normal running temp...

 

[Bigfishfin]

I joined this board to discuss my Expedition, now we are talking about Trannies? I am pretty tolerant, just didn’t expect this.

Gosh, I didn't know Expeditions had transmissions!...

 

[JasonH]

Curious where you all hover on tranny oil temp in your expys. I have a 2017 that seems (in my opinion) to run pretty hot all the time. I hit 238 while towing a few weeks back (~5500# on flat hwy) which had me very concerned, so I recently installed the OEM transmission oil cooler.
I haven't had the trailer out since I installed that, but did some highway driving today and was hovering in the high 190's. (Overcast/rainy day, moderate traffic, air temps low 70's, less than 30 min drive). To me that still seems high.
In a couple weeks we'll be towing up some moderate climbs (Charlotte to Gatlinburg) and I know that'll be a true test. So just overall curious what you all seeing and if this is just normal for these trucks.
Thanks!

I think I maxed out in the mid 220s while towing. I think that was over 6,000 feet up a grade. Normally it's in the low 200s. Don't forget that wind can have a big impact while towing, so even if you're not going uphill the truck can be working hard. Speed is also a really big factor with the poor drag coefficient while towing.

 

[Traveler]

If I remember correctly, the OEM cooler with the Tow package is plumbed so that the fluid goes through the cooler, then through the radiator. To me this would have the effect of cooling the transmission fluid, then raising it to roughly the same temp as the engine coolant. (about 190). When I am pulling my TT I monitor both using the OBDII port and an app on my phone. Both engine temp and transmission temps remained pretty close to one another, going up and down together. I'd like to reverse that order, so that the transmission fluid goes through the radiator and then through the cooler. It just seems to me that the cooler would be more effective that way. In my older (2000) Explorer I have a big transmission cooler that runs independently of the radiator, and the transmission runs about 30-40* cooler than the engine temps.

 

[RogerD1959]

My 4X4 2016 Platinum Expedition EL (Enigma) has all the HD tow stuff on it, most of the stuff behind the front bumper and grille replaced a year ago thanks to a drunk driver. I have never towed anything with it, but since it seats 8 adults comfortably, 12 in a pinch, done that a lot! 62,000+ miles on it before the accident transmission temp 195 - 205 at 90 MPH or below. Water temp 198 - 201 at 90 MPH or below. After the accident with a new radiator, intercoolers, oil cooler, transmission cooler, electric fans, entire front end, hood, and some titanium brace thing only on the Platinum versions of these vehicles that takes Ford Motor Corporation almost two months to produce! No difference. However, these things hate, loath, and despise slow, sluggish, bumper to bumper, stop, and go driving! In temps over 95 degrees! Even with one soul on board, it's not unusual to see 215 - 225 on the transmission temp and 210 - 215 on the water temp. Like everyone else, and as the second owner of this vehicle, I found this all alarming! Did some digging and found a temp on the transmission in temps beyond 95 degrees in mountainous country with the vehicle maxed out towing a trailer, 330 deg is just skippy! Personally, If that happens to me, I am pulling over! Fer sure to remove the tuna off the seat I would have most likely pooped out cause it actually got that hot! The water temp is a bit different, its a concern at 230+

 

[mossback]

I've got a 2017 limited with tow package. I drive in the mountains regularly. When not towing anything I usually see a range between 198º and 205º. I don't tow anything large but when moving a utility trailer full of firewood I've seen up to 230º going up 6 to 8% grade.

 

[07navi]

My 4X4 2016 Platinum Expedition EL (Enigma) has all the HD tow stuff on it, most of the stuff behind the front bumper and grille replaced a year ago thanks to a drunk driver. I have never towed anything with it, but since it seats 8 adults comfortably, 12 in a pinch, done that a lot! 62,000+ miles on it before the accident transmission temp 195 - 205 at 90 MPH or below. Water temp 198 - 201 at 90 MPH or below. After the accident with a new radiator, intercoolers, oil cooler, transmission cooler, electric fans, entire front end, hood, and some titanium brace thing only on the Platinum versions of these vehicles that takes Ford Motor Corporation almost two months to produce! No difference. However, these things hate, loath, and despise slow, sluggish, bumper to bumper, stop, and go driving! In temps over 95 degrees! Even with one soul on board, it's not unusual to see 215 - 225 on the transmission temp and 210 - 215 on the water temp. Like everyone else, and as the second owner of this vehicle, I found this all alarming! Did some digging and found a temp on the transmission in temps beyond 95 degrees in mountainous country with the vehicle maxed out towing a trailer, 330 deg is just skippy! Personally, If that happens to me, I am pulling over! Fer sure to remove the tuna off the seat I would have most likely pooped out cause it actually got that hot! The water temp is a bit different, its a concern at 230+

dramatic

 

[max78]

The 6R80 transmissions have a thermostat (Thermal bypass valve) built into the transmission. That's because cooler fluid is not always better for a transmission. These things are designed to operate at a specific temperature. Ford Tech M(whatever) has a good video about it. That's also why he said if you pay for a "flush" on these you got scammed because zero fluid will flow though the actual transmission due to the valve. The valve is closed until its up to temp. He also said it will never get up to temp just idling.

If you saw low temps on your trans I would be worried, obviously too high of a temp is worrisome as well. 230 is not bad when under extreme pressure, IE hauling a trailer up a long grade.

The 150k trans service is is from the marketing department, not the engineering department. Fluid brakes down and needs to be replaced before that. There is a lot of sheering nd clutch wear in a transmission, and that debris needs to be removed.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

However, these things hate, loath, and despise slow, sluggish, bumper to bumper, stop, and go driving! In temps over 95 degrees! Even with one soul on board, it's not unusual to see 215 - 225 on the transmission temp and 210 - 215 on the water temp.

Anything in the 2,000 rpm range heats my engine up to the point of the fan kicking on even when ambient temps are chilly. Nothing alarming there, but considering my Stant Superstat keeps me at 195-197F 99.5% of the time, I still don't like to see it climb that high.