Trans Temp?

[TSPowell]

Just got a trans temp gauge and really confused with mounting location for the sensor. I know a lot of guys put the sensor in the pan, and some say in the line coming from the torque converter because thats the hottest reading. I feel like putting it in the pan is the most logical. I want to know how hot the fluid being pumped into the trans is, not whats going out, right? Trans life vs. fluid temp, that means the fluid going into the trans would would be my major concern for trans life. If im completely wrong, please let me know.

 

[RRoton]

Just got a trans temp gauge and really confused with mounting location for the sensor. I know a lot of guys put the sensor in the pan, and some say in the line coming from the torque converter because thats the hottest reading. I feel like putting it in the pan is the most logical. I want to know how hot the fluid being pumped into the trans is, not whats going out, right? Trans life vs. fluid temp, that means the fluid going into the trans would would be my major concern for trans life. If im completely wrong, please let me know.

This point has been discussed many times. Here is my take (for what it's worth)

No matter where you put it, you will learn after towing for a while, what is "normal" for that location. The reason some say the line from the TC is best is, if things start getting too hot, you find out about it SOONER.

They say by the time the fluid in the pan overheats, it's too late.

 

[raychem]

The thing with taking temp readings from the pan is that the fuild in the pan while circulating in the system is mostly stagnent (the fluid has already been through the trans cooler too) and more so with larger higher capacity pans. This is why most will want the reading from the cooler line since it gives you the temperature reading from the hottest exit point inside the trans which is the converter. Fluid leaving the converter exits via the cooler lines to the trans coolers. The difference in temp could be 60- 100 *F from the line to the pan in some cases. It just give you more time to take corrective action rather than see the temp build up to the point where it is to late.



Richard

 

[Diesel Power]

The thing with taking temp readings from the pan is that the fuild in the pan while circulating in the system is mostly stagnent (the fluid has already been through the trans cooler too) and more so with larger higher capacity pans. This is why most will want the reading from the cooler line since it gives you the temperature reading from the hottest exit point inside the trans which is the converter. Fluid leaving the converter exits via the cooler lines to the trans coolers. The difference in temp could be 60- 100 *F from the line to the pan in some cases. It just give you more time to take corrective action rather than see the temp build up to the point where it is to late.



Richard

the pan temp gives you average temp of the whole transmission, while the convertor line will give you the highest temp, i have seen temps around 300* with that convertor line used, and 260 in the pan (deep pan) thats all the difference ive seen ( all temps with amsoil)---and ive loaded for like 30+ seconds just to see the temps. i would not worry to much

 

[McLaughlin]

Only problem I've had with the pan sensor is the transmission temp gauge usually doesn't get off the low post.

 

[raychem]

the pan temp gives you average temp of the whole transmission, while the convertor line will give you the highest temp, i have seen temps around 300* with that convertor line used, and 260 in the pan (deep pan) thats all the difference ive seen ( all temps with amsoil)---and ive loaded for like 30+ seconds just to see the temps. i would not worry to much

Sorry Wade. . in my expirience I have never seen 260*f in the pan, not even while driving in traffic... . that is one hot transmission!!

 

[Diesel Power]

Sorry Wade. . in my expirience I have never seen 260*f in the pan, not even while driving in traffic... . that is one hot transmission!!

it takes power to make heat, you would be surprised how hot they will get--i have herd temps getting as hot as 365+ with regular fluid---the transmission is done at that temp though

 

[raychem]

My last truck 1997 3500 made well over 500 hp and never saw those temps. Mute point since everybody setsup their truck differently.