transmission temp

[ASIANREDNECK]

I just installed a transmission temp gauge and the temp stays at 140 F
I just did a fluid flush and the outside temp is 20-25 F

Does that sound right?

 

[Thermo]

redneck, yes, that sounds about right. You don't want the temp up too high. Anything below like 180F is good. As I recall, starting at 180F, for every 10 degrees above that, the tranny life drops by half. So, a momentary spike up to say 210F isn't bad, but if you let the tranny temp stay there for like an hour, you have cut the tranny life by 8 (0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 = 0.125 or 1/8) For a truck where the tranny is treated easy, this means that you will probably have the tranny fail in the next 50K miles or so. You abuse the tranny and get it up to say 300F (even a momentary spike), and you can measure the life left on the tranny in single digit miles.

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

Asian,

Where'd you mount the temp sender? In line, pan, cooler?

Mine is in the inline B&M coming off the return (cold) side of the cooler, thus shows the temp pretty consistently. I have an autometer gauge, and max spike ever experienced was in the Mojave near 160* while climbing huge grades and working the gears on the auto trans. Falls off very quickly though.

 

[Jay87LX]

More info please, Like 1997 said, also some pics of the gauge in the interior- where did u mount it? What kit did you use, where did you get it etc?

 

[Thermo]

The return temperature is not a very reliable indication for knowing how the tranny is performing. It is much better to know the outlet temp of the tranny (ie, inlet to the cooler). This will give you a much better idea of how much abuse the tranny is taking. This is really the critical temperature when trying to figure out how long your tranny may last. Sure, cooler fluid going into the tranny is good (to a degree), but it is only a very small part of the whole situation.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

Where is the factory temp sensor located? When I read tranny temp over the OBDII I am usually around 125-140F.