68RFE temps

[RCapehart]

So I just purchased this 2007.5. It only has 27,000 miles on it. Garage kept and driven very little. After haveing my 96 with a manual trans this is my first automatic truck in over 20yrs. I tow a 9,000 lb travel trailer. Temps while moving I feel are fine 155-170 deg. while towing. (I use an edge monitor). A couple days ago while towing I got stuck in traffic getting around a wreck. Temps got up to 200 while setting still and just creeping along. When I got moving it came right back down. Is this a problem? Is there anything I can do to keep the temps lower when stuck in traffic like this?

Ron

 

[RustyJC]

Those temperatures sound perfectly normal based on my experience with my previous 68RFE-equipped 2011 Ram. I've seen as high as 225 to 230 degF when towing a 16K GVWR 5th wheel up steep grades with switchback curves which kept the transmission in 1st and 2nd gear with no torque converter lockup. Under these conditions, the transmission generates a lot of heat due to torque converter fluid shear but has less available cooling due to reduced airflow at low speeds.

Rusty

 

[dougsram]

My manual says to shift into neutral when stopped to bring down the transmission temp. This would be a pain to do in stop and go traffic or when creeping along, but worth a try if you are over 200 degrees.

 

[Shadrach]

You could always add a deep oil pan to the trans. It gives it more fluid and therefor helps keeps the temp down.

David

 

[RCapehart]

My manual says to shift into neutral when stopped to bring down the transmission temp. This would be a pain to do in stop and go traffic or when creeping along, but worth a try if you are over 200 degrees.

What year and model do you have?

 

[RCapehart]

You could always add a deep oil pan to the trans. It gives it more fluid and therefor helps keeps the temp down.

David

I may still do this but I don't think the deep pan will help reducie temps when setting still. The design with the fins and groves in it require air to be passing over it for it to reduce temps. Setting still the extra fluid just heats up. My towing temps moving are well in range.

 

[transe]

Your temps are perfectly normal. Yes, trans temp will be higher in stop and go traffic, since you are running with open converter (no TCC) most (or all) of the time, which adds extra heat. As noted, if you shift to Neutral when stopped, that will greatly reduce the amount of heat generated within the converter, which will help to keep the temp down.

 

[jelag]

So I just changed the fluid in my new to me.... 2013 Laramie Longhorn 2WD.... 68RFE--- and of course I didn't want the mess so I tried to vacuum off the fluid before I dropped the pan.... I found that the tube I used wouldn't go to the bottom of the pan.... so I ended up with some spill.... I found the old filter (factory installed) to be tight and I had to use a tool to remove it.... and made sure that the new one went in with a 3/4 turn... This truck has never towed... but I wanted to start out with fresh fluid.... I honestly haven't checked the fluid level since I've owned it... but found that I added back when hot... at least 2 quarts more than what I took out...

from day 1 of my ownership I've been watching the transmission temp (empty) to gain some knowledge for when I start towing in a few months... I will watch the towing temperatures and if necessary will add the larger pan... I'd love to have a plug in this one... but didn't have the time to weld something in... maybe next time if I don't replace the pan...

I was surprised that the inside of the pan had about 1/3 of the surface area sprayed black with the same paint that is on the exterior of the pan... I assume it was over spray at the time of manufacturer... but the oil didn't seem to attack it.... so I left it... I was also told that some of these transmissions have a magnet that attaches to the spin on filter... but I didn't have one on mine.. but did have one on the bottom of the pan....

It would be nice if the spin on filter was on the outside of the transmission and there was a plug in the pan... but I guess you can't have it that easy..