Trans temp?

86Scotty · 06-21-2012, 08:40 AM

I'm enjoying my first trip with the Scanguage, coolant temps are 200-210 and haven't gone above that, even in Death Valley.
Trans temp is at about 160 on flat freeway, 175 when hilly. My question is, how hot is too hot? I got up to about 230 twice. I was really freaking out when I got above 200, but I read on some car racing forum that 250 isn't uncommon. What are the highest numbers you guys have seen?
I DO NOT have an auxiliary trans cooler, just the stock E350 setup. I'm wishing I did now though, pretty paranoid about hurting my 130k trans.

**BroncoHauler** · 06-21-2012, 08:58 AM

I've come across various forms of the information below, so please take it with a grain of salt. Short term, modest increases in temperature shouldn't hurt anything. I've also heard that typical transmisison temperatures are around ambient plus 60 degrees (without taking into account driving speed, inclines, or towing).

175°F = 100,000+ miles
190°F = 90,000 miles
210°F = 55,000 miles (Pressure Drops)
230°F = 25,000 miles (Valves Stick)
250°F = 17,000 miles (Varnish Forms)
270°F = 4000 miles (Seals & Clutches Burn)
300°F + = TRANSMISSION FAILURE

Herb

BajaSportsmobile · 06-21-2012, 10:23 AM

We race in the desert for hundreds of miles at 260 - 300. The quality of your fluid is the real issue. My secret sauce is Ok to 400 degrees according to CASE. I wouldn't worry about any of the temps you have experienced - all sound normal.

BajaSportsmobile · 06-21-2012, 10:32 AM

On another note, I just tore down my '97 E4OD/4R100 transmission to change the output shaft and tail housing to convert to 4-Wheel Drive. With 84K miles on it everything looked like new and we only replaced soft parts on the rebuild. I was pleased to see the condition of everything and impressed by the trany after pushing a heavy E350 SMB.

Tapatio · 06-21-2012, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

I'm enjoying my first trip with the Scanguage, coolant temps are 200-210 and haven't gone above that, even in Death Valley.
Trans temp is at about 160 on flat freeway, 175 when hilly. My question is, how hot is too hot? I got up to about 230 twice. I was really freaking out when I got above 200, but I read on some car racing forum that 250 isn't uncommon. What are the highest numbers you guys have seen?
I DO NOT have an auxiliary trans cooler, just the stock E350 setup. I'm wishing I did now though, pretty paranoid about hurting my 130k trans.

Those figures are in line with my experiences (2006 E-350 6.0 PSD). I don't believe I've ever reached 230f. 225f but only briefly after steep long grades.

**daveb** · 06-23-2012, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tapatio

Those figures are in line with my experiences (2006 E-350 6.0 PSD). I don't believe I've ever reached 230f. 225f but only briefly after steep long grades.

X2 on my 2006 6.0

86Scotty · 06-23-2012, 10:29 PM

Thanks guys. I'll be adding an aux cooler and hoping I never see much over 200 again. I've been climbing around Sequoia Nat'l Forest (Great Western Divide Hwy area) and King's Canyon for a couple of days since then and haven't even broken 200. That Death Valley heat is amazing.

carringb · 06-27-2012, 09:06 PM

Even with my 40,000 GVW TRU COOL MAX, I will see sustained temps of 200F when the outside temp is near 100F and I'm in the hills/mountains.

When I'm towing, I've had it around 225 for 15-30 minutes at a time.

I change my fluid every 70,000 miles. Transmissions has 338,000 miles now, without any issues.

BIGVANS · 06-27-2012, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carringb

Even with my 40,000 GVW TRU COOL MAX, I will see sustained temps of 200F when the outside temp is near 100F and I'm in the hills/mountains.

When I'm towing, I've had it around 225 for 15-30 minutes at a time.

I change my fluid every 70,000 miles. Transmissions has 338,000 miles now, without any issues.

Is that a 4R100?

IheartDieselVans · 06-28-2012, 06:17 PM

I also see sustained temps of 200-212 when the outside air is around 100. Here's an interesting thread about Torqshift transmissions, which I believe the 6.0s have. Based on the temps associated with the gauge, I'm not too worried about being in the 210 range some. Pages 6-8 are interesting, a former ford transmission engineer chimes in...

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/84161 ... oting.html