What's normal for transmission & differential temperatures?

[Axion]

Hello All;



I am looking into adding gauges for transmission and differential temperatures. I would like to put the transmission and both differential inputs to a single gauge with a three position switch to go between them. I like the idea of monitoring temps but don't want my cab to look like an airplane cockpit. I have done a search and was unable to find a direct answer for the following questions. Hopefully someone here can put me in the ball park.



I have an automatic transmission and was wondering what would be considered normal operating temps for the transmission and both diffs? By normal I mean an empty truck and a reasonable outdoor temperature (say 70 F).



Second question would be what is the max you should ever operate at before damage to expensive parts is imminent? Again, for the transmission and both diffs. I guess towing at max capacity on a hot day (say 110 F) in the mountains, would be a worst case scenario.



Thanks for all your help.

 

[Glock Guru]

I am reading 160-180 with in town / hwy driving. That temp is with a stock trany and not towing anything. This is the reading I am getting on my Edge additude monitor for what ever thats worth.



-Troy

 

[Axion]

Thanks Troy.



I didn't think of it till after I started this thread but I did get a quasi answer to my question. I did a search for transmission temp and diff temp gauges from various manufacturers. Both types of gauges have pretty much the same ranges displayed on the face. So, in theory, I should be able to feed all three temps to one gauge. The down side is that none of the gauges found indicate a "normal" range, some do show a max up around 280 F.



I guess I'll find normals once I get the install done. And I'll use your temps as a guide to start with. Here's to hoping I don't find out about max temperatures the expensive way. Thanks again.

 

[GMike]

Like Troy I see 160-180 in town / hwy driving solo. However, pulling my 7200# 5th wheel the temps can climb real fast. It amazed me how fast in stop and go traffic. My senser is on the trans out cooling line. My Auto-Meter trans gauge range is 100-250. I try to keep it under 210. Been to 230 once.



I would like to see what people are seeing for diff temps. and what the safe levels are there. I will be watching here for replys. Thanks for the thread.



Mike

 

[JMarketos]

I posted similar info in another post.

I, too noticed rapid heat up of trans in stop&go traffic.

This is worst case for trans, as the shifts release bursts

of heat to the fluid.

Before installing trans cooler, Trans fluid could easily approach 200F

in hot weather stop & go (with 7K trailer). Trans cooler helps

keep this comfortably to 160 or so. (Before & after temps are

stock trans with mag hytec deep pan).



Rear end was really (for me) the surprise. With mag hytec cover

and temp probe in cover. Rear end can easily get to 190F+

in hot weather, towing 7K. I'm told this is normal, but it really

got my attention.

 

[mathiowetz]

I have the mag hytec rear diff cover with isspro trans gauge and find that it runs 90-110 deg warmer than outside temp empty and towing my 34' fw it runs 100-125 deg warmer than outside temp. I think the variation in temps depends on how fast I drive also.