The biggest unknown and biggest variable in all the above stories is - "where is your temperature probe?"
Mine is in the outlet line from the pan to the cooler, which should be the hottest temp and most sensitive to temperature changes, I believe.
'83 Tioga 27' Ford E-350 460
'97 Dodge 2500 CTD 4x4 in need of a TC
couple of ratty old well-loved Artic Cat sleds that the kids just can't hurt any further
gkainz wrote: The biggest unknown and biggest variable in all the above stories is - "where is your temperature probe?"
Mine is in the outlet line from the pan to the cooler, which should be the hottest temp and most sensitive to temperature changes, I believe.
I thought that the hot line was from tranny to cooler and the cool line was from cooler to pan. My probe is the stock sender - I tap the ECM with my X-monitor and read the same temp the computer is reading.
BTW I have shot my pan surface temp with an IR thermo and it is 30 degrees cooler than my gauge reads. I am considering getting a second gauge and reading temps on the hot line just to have more info.
Dave Lindemulder
Tammy, Mark & Kirsten
04 Dodge 2500 4x4 SLT QC/SB
HO-CTD/48RE - Graphite: Raptor SS nerfs, Prodigy, Reese 16K Kwik-slide, BD X-Monitor, PML Trans pan, PML Diff cover, Firestone Airbags
09 Heartland Cyclone 3210
Trying to run heavy, or more to the point in your case, with a high fiver that has lots of wind resistance with an automatic transmission w/o an auxiliary transmission cooler is a recipe for a failed tranny.
If it were me, I'd buy the biggest auxiliary cooler I could find and install it where it will get maximum air flow. The other thing I'd do is have the transmission serviced. Change the fluid and replace it with a high quality, full synthetic transmission fluid. You might find when you're having it serviced that the existing filter has a little debris on it and is restricting flow.
A deeper pan (increased fluid capacity, perhaps with cooling fins) is also very helpful in keeping temps at a minimum.
Hmm...I wonder if your trans (more accurately: TC), due to 4+ years of hard use, is simply wearing out. How many miles do you have?
It might truly be time to step up to an extreme-duty trans from one of the diesel trans builders.
Well, that, or an NV5600 swap. See, had you gotten the correct transmission to begin with, this wouldn't be an issue!
PS--You still have your old trailer (04 Jayco Eagle) in your sig.
John
1984 Ford B-700 school bus conversion, Thomas body
A bunch of other vehicles
3 nutty cats (Maya, Vierna, Briza)
One lazy dog (Marmaduke)
One wife (Liz)
"A wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age"
-Jim Steinman
Jarlaxle wrote: Hmm...I wonder if your trans (more accurately: TC), due to 4+ years of hard use, is simply wearing out. How many miles do you have?
It might truly be time to step up to an extreme-duty trans from one of the diesel trans builders.
PS--You still have your old trailer (04 Jayco Eagle) in your sig.
I was wondering if that could be the situation. 72,000 on the clock with about 22,000 of that towing. I'm getting quotes form the rebuilders now. I also ordered another temp gauge/probe that I'll mount on the hot line to double check the temps.
I don't have a good picture of the new rig yet... but I will update the sig - thanx I forgot.
pupeperson wrote: Trying to run heavy, or more to the point in your case, with a high fiver that has lots of wind resistance with an automatic transmission w/o an auxiliary transmission cooler is a recipe for a failed tranny.
If it were me, I'd buy the biggest auxiliary cooler I could find and install it where it will get maximum air flow. The other thing I'd do is have the transmission serviced. Change the fluid and replace it with a high quality, full synthetic transmission fluid. You might find when you're having it serviced that the existing filter has a little debris on it and is restricting flow.
A deeper pan (increased fluid capacity, perhaps with cooling fins) is also very helpful in keeping temps at a minimum.
I have the pan already. The fluid was changed out 10,000 miles ago. ATF+4 is a synthetic and I don't know any approved alternative on the Dodge tranny. If I decide to keep the tranny I can drop the pan and do the filter pretty easily.
I have no idea where I'd but another cooler though. The truck already has a stack of 4 in front... AC condensor, intercooler, radiator and trans cooler. I've heard of guys putting another cooler under the trans, but I just don't like the idea of a cooler exposed under the truck like that.
The ATF+4 is not technically a full synthetic. I think it's called a tier III. or semi-synthetic and full synthetics are tier IV's. Amway is the only company I'm aware of that makes a full synthetic that is ATF+4 compatible.
Their Universal ATF meets the spec or close enough for Dodge dealers, like the one in Carson City, NV that sells lots of diesel trucks -- one of the bigger truck dealers around -- to sell it for installation in rigs calling for ATF+4.
You should probably check an Amway site, but I believe they claim their fluid will stand quite a bit higher temperatures than regular ATF+4. There must be some reason it costs 3 times as much, right?
pupeperson wrote: You should probably check an Amway site, but I believe they claim their fluid will stand quite a bit higher temperatures than regular ATF+4. There must be some reason it costs 3 times as much, right?
I'm guessing you mean AMSOil not Amway?
I run their gear lube in my diff's but never switched to their ATF. When I bought my truck there was no one making a valid ATF+4 substitute and I had a warranty. Initially Mopar ATF+4 was $16/gallon then all of a sudden it jumped to $28/gallon I think I've got one more trans drain worth in storage... If AMSOil is $90/gallon they can keep it!
I remember they claimed it would run cooler all by itself -- seemed a little snake oil to me but I've listened to the pitch a few times and tuned it out when it shifted to the "and you will save even more if you become a distributor" mode.
Back to OP... If I keep this tranny I'll consider new fluids for it too.
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