2016 transmission temps

[DonFitzwater]

Because Cerb is a cert tech and explained why the trans temp is slightly higher. That is of course unless the rest of you were born with more knowledge than he has gained through his continuing education and work experience.*

I'll take the transmission advice from a guy who's initials rhyme with Transengineer. *Cerb certainly has a large amount of earned knowledge, however, his answer is in conflict with my past ownership experience with 4 of these trucks.*

 

[Cummins2014]

I'll take the transmission advice from a guy who's initials rhyme with Transengineer. *Cerb certainly has a large amount of earned knowledge, however, his answer is in conflict with my past ownership experience with 4 of these trucks.*

Its also in conflict with my truck. I pay pretty close attention to the temperatures, and not seeing the high temperatures the OP is reporting.

 

[jhenderson]

I'll take the transmission advice from a guy who's initials rhyme with Transengineer. *Cerb certainly has a large amount of earned knowledge, however, his answer is in conflict with my past ownership experience with 4 of these trucks.*

You've owned 4 2016 trucks already? *I'll assume that's not correct. Let's try this one more time. Cerb said the 2016 trucks run a little warmer. Sence the trans is cooled by engine coolant how do you expect the trans to run below engine temp? The op states the trans temp tracks within a few degrees of coolant temp. The op also stated the trans temp drops when the fan kicks in. Taking these facts that everyone seems to be ignoring into account, where's the problem? *Also comparing trans temps with an air temp of -50 to + 35 *vs 70 degrees ambient is apples to oranges and of little or no value. Diagnostics demand comparisons with a control of equal conditions.*

 

[kthaxton]

Cerb said the 2016 trucks run a little warmer.

I have yet to see something that indicates that 2016 is any different operating temp-wise than 2013-ish through 2015. If that is not the case, my bad

Sence the trans is cooled by engine coolant how do you expect the trans to run below engine temp?

Firstly, the transmission cooler in the radiator is in the "cooled" side of the radiator where it is much cooler than the engine/t-stat temps. Further, the coolant THEN goes to the auxiliary cooler, for further cooling, as I said before.

The op states the trans temp tracks within a few degrees of coolant temp. The op also stated the trans temp drops when the fan kicks in. Taking these facts that everyone seems to be ignoring into account, where's the problem?

As mentioned numerous times, regardless of your comments, this is not what others are seeing.

*Also comparing trans temps with an air temp of -50 to + 35 *vs 70 degrees ambient is apples to oranges and of little or no value.

I for example, did not indicate an ambient temp, with that said, unloaded I don't think I've ever seen it go over 180 regardless of outside temps.

I really doubt that the rest of our trucks' are not operating correctly, and the OP's is.

 

[AH64ID]

That transmission temp chart is old and has minimal accuracy when talking the modern synthetics used by the 68RFE or Aisin.

 

[cerberusiam]

ATF+4 is rated to handle 315 degrees for 1500 hrs before expected degradation happens, don't think 201-205 is going to hurt it any time soon.
A couple of people I know that are running a 2010 and 2014 are reporting the differences seen so it isn't only the OP. If it won't hold temp when towing then there is an issue, obviously, but with the newer trucks managing a lot more of the temps the numbers are not the same as they used to be. Like I said, upwards of a 40 degree difference between a 2010 and 2014 running side by side and with the same weights. All indications to this point say there is not a problem, too many variables to say one way or another until something is better defined.

 

[Micsol]

Thanks everyone for the input. I talked to the maintenance tech at the dealership and he agrees that 201 -203 is absolutely normal. So right or wrong I don't know. It seeing as they'll be doing the warranty work. I have in writing that its operating as designed should it fail ill have that going for me. So i guess ill just run it and watch it closely

 

[jhenderson]

I have yet to see something that indicates that 2016 is any different operating temp-wise than 2013-ish through 2015. If that is not the case, my bad



Firstly, the transmission cooler in the radiator is in the "cooled" side of the radiator where it is much cooler than the engine/t-stat temps. Further, the coolant THEN goes to the auxiliary cooler, for further cooling, as I said before.


As mentioned numerous times, regardless of your comments, this is not what others are seeing.


I for example, did not indicate an ambient temp, with that said, unloaded I don't think I've ever seen it go over 180 regardless of outside temps.

I really doubt tihat the rest of our trucks' are not operating correctly, and the OP's is.

*Please tell us exactly what is " much cooler" considering the thermostat will begin to close under approx 200f give or take a few degrees. Also I know it wasn't you who listed ambient. It was Fitz, but my comment stands. While we're at it, what's the altitude there in Co. Where it's being driven. Higher alt, thinner air, less cooling. After that we can discuss variance in resistance between mass produced sending units. All in all its much ado about nothing.

 

[DonFitzwater]

You've owned 4 2016 trucks already? *I'll assume that's not correct. Let's try this one more time. Cerb said the 2016 trucks run a little warmer. Sence the trans is cooled by engine coolant how do you expect the trans to run below engine temp? The op states the trans temp tracks within a few degrees of coolant temp. The op also stated the trans temp drops when the fan kicks in. Taking these facts that everyone seems to be ignoring into account, where's the problem? *Also comparing trans temps with an air temp of -50 to + 35 *vs 70 degrees ambient is apples to oranges and of little or no value. Diagnostics demand comparisons with a control of equal conditions.*

No, I've owned a 2010, 2014, 2015 and now a 2016 and they have all run fairly consistent temps summer/winter. The only time I've seen 195ish was pulling 12k up a pass following subarus and creeping at barely 35mph. I'm still not buying that 200 degrees not towing and highway cruising is normal. My experience has been 165-170 as normal. All 68rfe transmissions.

 

[kthaxton]

*Please tell us exactly what is " much cooler" considering the thermostat will begin to close under approx 200f give or take a few degrees.

While it has been quite a while since I tested it and I did it on my old 86 Ramcharger that had a cooling system that was barely adequate, it was about 170-ish in the cool side of the radiator (195º stat). This was parked obviously, with only the fan to pull air through the radiator. I suspect the cooling system in our trucks works considerably better. But again.....let's not forget the auxiliary cooler, it seems that you are ignoring that since this is the main contributor as to how a transmission temp could be lower than engine temps. I could take a picture of my EVIC as evidence if you still do not believe it is possible.

 

[jhenderson]

I never said its not possible. I said, *or at least alluded to the fact there are several variables involved. These include sensor variation, altitude, and engine temps to name just the obvious ones.*

 

[gsbrockman]

Perhaps the OP can follow TransEngineer's suggestion from another post / forum :

"See if your truck has a TBV (an H-shaped block of aluminum in the middle of the cooler lines, usually just in front of the transmission), and if so, when it's warmed up (sump temp 180°F or higher), are the two lines between the TBV and trans hot, while the two between TBV and cooler are cold? If so, bad TBV."

 

[Newsa]

Sounds about right for that year. The engine runs hotter the previous years so the trans ends up running hotter also. As long as it doesn't go past 240 you should be fine.

Yup!

These hotter-running engines are more efficient, more powerful, and torque-ier (if that is a word).
Less EGR means more O2 and hotter combustion temps. The transmission cooler that cools the ATF will have hotter engine oil and coolant when engine is under load. Thus, less and slower cooling due to smaller temperature gradients. (Both engine & transmission run hotter) That synthetic ATF is safe up to 240°F+. Don't sweat 200-220°F

 

[kthaxton]

I never said its not possible. I said, *or at least alluded to the fact there are several variables involved. These include sensor variation, altitude, and engine temps to name just the obvious ones.*

But when you say this:

. Sence the trans is cooled by engine coolant how do you expect the trans to run below engine temp?.*

and question how a radiator cooler could be much cooler in its cooled side, it sounds like you either don't believe it is possible, or don't understand how a cooler works.

 

[kthaxton]

Yup!

These hotter-running engines are more efficient, more powerful, and torque-ier (if that is a word).
Less EGR means more O2 and hotter combustion temps. The transmission cooler that cools the ATF will have hotter engine oil and coolant when engine is under load. Thus, less and slower cooling due to smaller temperature gradients. (Both engine & transmission run hotter)

Yes, we know this.... the point here is that an unloaded trans should have no problem running 20-30 degrees below the engine temp..... as many of us have explained, you can do the math knowing that the normal engine temp is 190-ish.

That synthetic ATF is safe up to 240°F+. Don't sweat 200-220°F

Lets not forget that the oil is not the only concern, seals, clutches all suffer in higher heat. If we were only worried about the fluid, overheating would only be a minor issue.

 

[Newsa]

Yes, we know this.... the point here is that an unloaded trans should have no problem running 20-30 degrees below the engine temp..... as many of us have explained, you can do the math knowing that the normal engine temp is 190-ish.

Is the engine temp measured at the top where the thermostat is?

Lets not forget that the oil is not the only concern, seals, clutches all suffer in higher heat. If we were only worried about the fluid, overheating would only be a minor issue.

Yes, as I was posting this I was wondering about these same things and wondering if a few degrees would make that much difference on seals and clutches. I don't expect a few degrees would make a significant difference as long as the lubricant is not burned or degraded and doing it's job.

 

[gsbrockman]

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[jhenderson]

But when you say this:


and question how a radiator cooler could be much cooler in its cooled side, it sounds like you either don't believe it is possible, or don't understand how a cooler works.

You're surly correct. I am an ignorant sob. I'm so ignorant that I can't imagine someone who's concerned over 10f temp difference that they don't even positively know exists. Or the fact that they don't have info on the aux cooler thermostat setting on a 2016. Or that they would all assume sence *they didn't agree with a factory trained tech that the tech was the one who's wrong. I'm ignorant alright.*

 

[Newsa]

I believe the move to dual radiators in 2013 was because of an anticipated transmission cooling issue (with the warmer running engine). But engineers decided it was not necessary to have dual radiators to ensure the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. So they dumped the extra radiator in 2015-2017. Not sure if the 2014's have the dual radiator...... but the 2013's definately all have them.

 

[Newsa]

You're surly correct. I am an ignorant sob. I'm so ignorant that I can't imagine someone who's concerned over 10f temp difference that they don't even positively know exists. Or the fact that they don't have info on the aux cooler thermostat setting on a 2016. Or that they would all assume sence *they didn't agree with a factory trained tech that the tech was the one who's wrong. I'm ignorant alright.*

Gotta agree here with this. A 10-20° difference in operating temps is nothing like the 100° diffetence between a cool transmission and a transmission at operating temp. Seals clutches won't even notice that. And on cooler days, 150+ degree differences between a cool transmission and operating temp transmission. Seals and clutches are designed to work at a wide range of temps. Thermal expansion/contraction of most materials is linearly proportional to temperature change as long as no phase change occurs.