Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Transmission tempratures while towing

[LPMorgan]

I am using a 1999 3500 diesel to tow my travel trailer of about 10,000 pounds.



I am see the automatic transmission temperature go up when I am in town or when climbing a hill. I would like to have more efficient cooling of the transmission.



I have a Banks system and exhaust brake.



I have two transmission coolers in front of my radiator.

I was told that should handle at least 20,000 pounds.



I do not actually let the transmission overheat, but I see it go up and have to take step. I notice if I do not let turbo boost go over 10 psi, I am fine on the hill climbing. For town, I try to put the truck in neutral at red lights.



I will check to see if the transmission coolers are plugged, of course.



What other steps have other members with second generation trucks taken to keep automatic transmission temperatures from climbing?



I was thinking about a mister.



Any ideas will be appreciated.



I am technologically challenged on trucks, but very good with computers.

 

[PSpychalski]

You never do say what your temperature is when on the highway. transmission should not get over 220F for long periods. . Ok for a short bit if pulling a hill. Never over 250.

 

[ALepley]

Ive pulled a 10,000 lb load up a steep hills before and my temp never peaked over 200 degrees. What is your temp reading?

 

[Midnite]

I don't know if this is your issue or not, but I do know that if the radiator is clogged up with oily dirt you're not going to get much airflow through anything.

The best way to make sure your radiator is clear is to pull it and hose it down real good, but you can still clean it up pretty well without pulling it. I've sprayed mine down with Simple Green from the engine side, let it set for a couple minutes and then rinsed it off really well with the garden hose (which is important because undiluted Simple Green can be pretty hard on aluminum).

Mike

 

[georgej]

A deep dish aluminum transmission pan should drop your temperature 15 or so degrees as well as more agressive torque converter.

 

[rjrkihap]

Also, where are you measuring the temp. ; pan or hot line from Torque Converter?

 

[JMcCoy]

Torque converter, clean coolers, transmission pans, and temperature location are all important factors. If your transmission is getting hot, shutting the over drive off will cool it off some. Make sure your torque converter is locking up. A lock up controller may also aid in cooling as well as fuel milage. They will also alow you to run locked up in lower gears. Some valve bodies also aid in fluid flow and cooling. I have an ATS controller, and transmission, which I like very much. Other companies make them as well. Please let us know what temps you are seeing and you results. Good luck.

 

[LPMorgan]

My temprature gets up to 220, no further.
I take aggressive actions when I get above 200.
I am not sure where the gauge does the measuring.

Thanks for the tips.

I will see about getting a deep pan and certainly will aggressively clean the outside of the radiator.

My goal is to keep the temperature below 200 while going up a 6% grade, or even an 8% grade.

It would also be nice to go through a town without seeing the transmission get over 200.

I am looking for anything reasonable to keep the transmission cool.

Thanks again!

 

[TPetroff]

My temprature gets up to 220, no further.

I take aggressive actions when I get above 200.

I am not sure where the gauge does the measuring.



Thanks for the tips.



I will see about getting a deep pan and certainly will aggressively clean the outside of the radiator.



My goal is to keep the temperature below 200 while going up a 6% grade, or even an 8% grade.



It would also be nice to go through a town without seeing the transmission get over 200.



I am looking for anything reasonable to keep the transmission cool.



Thanks again!

I would definitely start by cleaning the radiator.

From the front it my not look to bad,also from the fan side.

But if you take a flashlight and look between the A/C condenser and inter-cooler and more importantly between the inter-cooler and the radiator you will most likely see a mess.

Oil fumes/residue from the front engine vent tube plays havoc with the radiator fins collecting dirt/dust.

TGP

 

[csamanie]

After cleaning the radiator and transmission coolers, reroute the hose which is emitting the oily exhaust onto the radiator area. I routed the hose to a home made container which has a vent similar to the old valve cover breathers used on the older engines. I installed a drain valve at the bottom of the container so that I can drain the oil whenever needed. I use old white crew socks to cover the breather, that way the oil residue stays on the sock, and I can replace it with a clean sock whenever needed. The container is made of two pieces of 2" angle iron welded together with attachment nipples for the exhaust hose, drain valve, and breather vent. I have used this home made system for years on my 2001 2500 4x4 and my radiator and oil coolers never get plugged. The container can be attached to the trucks frame, or any place convenient for draining of the oil.

 

[tarnett]

Larry,
I went down the same path several years ago. We have a 12k 5th wheel and our travels take us through some long grades. My experience was that when stock our pickup was not able to maintain 50 plus miles per hour, OD off, and below 50 the torque converter was not locked.
So thinking that additional cooling capacity would help I purchased the Mag-Hytec deep trans pan. Helped a bit but the temps still went up, just delayed it by about a half mile. Attempt 2 was the purchase of an Edge EZ. The thought was that more power would allow me to go up those grades at 50+ mph. That actually worked well for most areas, Grapevine being one. Unfortunately the additional power took its toll on the transmission and it failed at 70k miles.
The last upgrade and what has made my 2002 CTD darn near perfect was Dave Goerend's transmission and his TC lockup. No problems since and his transmission really makes a difference. If you have the time I strongly suggest giving him a call for his suggestions.
Good luck,
Tom