Transmission temps for those who don't know

Aug 12, 2003 1 Replies
1995 K2500 6.5 TD/4L80E with 48 plate external cooler.

I recently went on a pretty good trip to test these things. I had a slide in camper in the bed driving in southern Ohio (hills) on 85 degree days.



Here is what I found:



1) On the open highway at about 65-70 mph, I saw about 150-170 deg. F


2) On long steep, slow grades and down to about 55 mph, I saw 180-190 deg. F


3) Long steep grades (like in a state park road) of about 20 mph and high RPMs, I saw 200 deg. F

It seemed that the air flow was the determining factor here, not RPMs. My higher RPMs would cool the engine temp., but raise the ATF temps. Maybe a better fan and clutch will help pull the air when I do the '97+ cooling upgrade this fall and I will upgrade to the 72 plate transmission cooler at that time. I'll try to remember to post back.



I hope this may help some that don't have gauges to watch. Pay attention to your driving conditions or you'll be going to see Gary much sooner than you had planned:)



Snowman


Your temps seem to correspond with those I had on a recent 2k mile trip towing my 6800 lb. travel trailer with 02 2500HD. This was my first trip in mid summer since most of my camping/traveling is done in the late fall and early spring. When going thru the mountains of PA on a 90+deg. day, mine got close to 200 and on the interstate ran in the 180-190 range I would guess. I would like to mention that I change my trans. fluid after every long trip since the trans does a lot of work and it is cheap insurance. Thanks for the post Snowman. MR

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