Transmision Temperature Gauge

[MMeilicke]

I am pulling 13,500 lbs 5th wheel with my 08 automatic all over the US. Up mountains down mountains. Do I need to install a transmission temp gauge? And what about an exhaust and boast gauge?

 

[HBarlow]

I don't know how the new MOPAR 6 speed automatic handles torque converter slip and heat.

I installed a three guage set on my '08 C&C, EGT, Boost, and transmission temp but my transmission is an Aisin. The temp rarely rises off the bottom peg, even when my truck is loaded with 135 gallons of fuel, tools, and pulling my 14,000 lb. fiver for a gross combined weight of 26,000 lbs.

My guess is the new MOPAR transmission is also cool-running and you may not need or want a gauge.

We all know the 48RE could be flashed to 250* in a few seconds of backing a trailer up a slight grade.

 

[Jim W]

I am using three additional gauges in my 2008, 2500 HD pulling a 11K 5er. They are Boost, EGT and Transmission temp. I have seen as high as 220 F on the temp gage last year, ambient air temps were 90F. I went to a Mag-Hytec trans oil pan and have relocated the trans temp probe into the pan.

When I was out west last year in SD and driving on the Needles Highway in Custer State Park. I was using the exhaust brake and trans to keep the speed down on the twisting roadway ( no camper attached) the trans temp reached 220F. When pulling my camper, I was in the 140F to 180F range last year, ambient air temps were in the 90F range. This year with the Mag-Hytec pan and additional fluid I have max out at 140F, ambient air temps were 70F.

I hope this helps you.

 

[FrankA]

Hey Jim or anyone else-
Just browsing the site & ran across your info on the gauges. I have an '07, 2500 w/the 68RFE trans & want to know how to properly read the gauges (pyrometer, boost, & trans) . I'm kinda new to the diesel world & plan to haul my trailer over steep mountain passes here in out West. What are considered safe readings while in tow?
thanks- frank

 

[Jim W]

FrankA.

Congratulations on joining the Cummins world and enjoy your truck.

What you ask our very hard questions to answer because everyone will have different opinions based on their truck and year. With that being said I will try to give you what I think is correct for the 6. 7L engine.

The Pyro will go has high as 1450F when in regen and pulling your camper. I have seen this in SD when I was going and coming from Mount Rushmore. I also saw this in MI this year when pulling up a small grade in Northern Michigan.

The Trans Temp will go as high as 220F I would never go above the 220F or the oil will be burnt and this will lead to trans problems. I have since added a Mag-Hytec pan and the hottest that the trans has been is 170F in ambient temps of 90F. Pulling the trailer I saw 135F to 140F with an ambient temp of 70F.

My highest boost pressure was 20 PSI pulling up hill with the camper.



I have no mods on the engine, this is totally stock except for a AFE-7 air filter that drops in the stock air box.

I hope this helps you. Good luck and enjoy your ride.

 

[CUMMINZ]

I installed X-deep pan from Geno's and their temp guage that fits on hot side line to radiator. I have not seen temps over 170 degrees.





#ad

 

[BHanna]

I don't know about the newer trucks but I know my 04. 5 has a trans temp light in the dash that is supposed to come on at 240. If the newer trucks have that too I'd think you could get away without a gauge.

I have one with a sender in the hot line and I see as high as 210-220 here in the summer when it's 110 outside and I'm driving in town. On the highway with TC locked up it is between 150-170 depending on outside temps.

 

[HBarlow]

I didn't know Dodge Rams have a high transmission temp light in the dash. I can't say you are wrong about the need for an aftermarket gauge, the factory dash light does provide some protection and a degree of useful information but I'd be afraid that if you don't know your transmission fluid is overheating until it reaches 240* it is already too late. I'm no expert on lubricants but I think I've read temp tables that indicated the fluid life has been severely reduced and probably needs prompt changing if heated to 240*.

For the modest cost of a temp gauge and sensor I think they are worth installing on a truck that is used for heavy hauling or towing. The Aisin in my C&C doesn't seem to heat the fluid much, even heavy towing in high ambient temps, but I've seen how quickly I could overheat the fluid in my '06 w/48RE when backing a heavy trailer up a grade into a parking spot.

Like most members, I have a set of three DiPricol gauges from Geno's --- EGT, Boost, and Trans Temp. I recommend them.

 

[pcarlson]

Harvey what gauge mount did you go with for your truck?



Anyone have any experience with the "bullet" temp sensor mount that Geno's sells? (Just clamps on the hot line with the sensor)

 

[HBarlow]

I used the three gauge A pillar mount of molded plastic or some synthetic material in a color that almost precisely matches the OEM interior colors. I used the identical setup for two years in my '06 then transferred the whole setup to the '08.

I happen to like the A pillar mount real well (all three Dodges I've owned have had one) but some prefer the dash or steering column mounts. I find the A pillar mount very natural to glance at without moving my eyes far from where I should be looking and also find the guages easy to read with my old eyes in daylight or nighttime driving.

It may simply depend on personal preference, driver height and driving position, and whether he also uses a dash mounted GPS. My guess is Geno's sells more A pillar mounts than any other but you might ask them.

Yes, I do use the clamp on temp sensor on my current truck. Nobody makes a deep pan with a temp sensor fitting (and apparently a deep pan is not needed) for an Aisin so I use the clamp sensor on the hot cooling line. It seems to read pretty accurately. I used the pan sensor on my previous '06 w/48RE because it had a Mag-Hytec deep pan w/fitting.

 

[2Rowdy]

The dealer told me I didn't need to install a trans temp guage on 07. 5 because there is a dummy light on the dash. I installed one anyways. I can see 220 deg. just going across town on a 90 deg. day.

 

[pcarlson]

I used the three gauge A pillar mount of molded plastic or some synthetic material in a color that almost precisely matches the OEM interior colors. I used the identical setup for two years in my '06 then transferred the whole setup to the '08.



I happen to like the A pillar mount real well (all three Dodges I've owned have had one) but some prefer the dash or steering column mounts. I find the A pillar mount very natural to glance at without moving my eyes far from where I should be looking and also find the guages easy to read with my old eyes in daylight or nighttime driving.



It may simply depend on personal preference, driver height and driving position, and whether he also uses a dash mounted GPS. My guess is Geno's sells more A pillar mounts than any other but you might ask them.



Yes, I do use the clamp on temp sensor on my current truck. Nobody makes a deep pan with a temp sensor fitting (and apparently a deep pan is not needed) for an Aisin so I use the clamp sensor on the hot cooling line. It seems to read pretty accurately. I used the pan sensor on my previous '06 w/48RE because it had a Mag-Hytec deep pan w/fitting.

Thanks Harvey. I prefer the pillar as well and the info on the clamp on sensor is very helpful.

 

[mpaulson]

CUMMINZ, what brand of a pan is that you've got on your 68rfe? All the ones that I've seen in adds don't look that deep, like no one has a really deep pan yet for these trannys. What freaks me out is that I curise with a combined load of 23,000 lbs +/- and this summer quite a few times, I got up to the 240 degree range and once I was at 265 degree's. I have a ege jucice w/atitude and it gives me the temperature from the stock computers readings. The temp light never came on on the dash for any of the hi temps that I seen. BHanna says that the light is supposed to come on at 240. Mine didn't. the towing that I was doing at the time was slow winding and very steep in the mountains and I would expect high temps then, but that high? The fluid doesn't smel burn't to me but I would think that it should be changed. by the way, I wasn't hammering the throtle during these climbs, I was trying to keep it in third so the converter would stay locked up.