so i pull my work trailer daily, between 5k-7k, and in town I cant keep the trans below 180-195* and if I start going up the little hills or using a little more power, it goes up around 205-220* all the time, has been as high as 227*. I have a full DTT trans and deep pan, but that isnt working . the fluid is new, but not synthetic. Will the synthetic make enough difference or is something wrong. I dont want to burn it up. The trans only has about 50,000 on it.

1997 CTD 2500 4X4 ex-cab long box 235,000, gear vendors "8" speed overdrive, stage 5 TST fuel plate, 4" exhuast, 370 injectors, full DTT trans, turbo silencer MIA, X-monitor guages, 4:10 gears w/limited slip, new style tow mirrors, stock turbo and pump

2004.5 CTD 2500 4X4 4 door long box, stock for now

 

If your sensor is in the hot line out to the cooler, those numbers are probably normal, if in the pan, then a bit on the warm side. Hopefully more people with autos will chime in.

 

Look in your fan shroud, on each side of the shroud is a plastic rectangle shaped plate or baffle about 6 inches by 20 inches in size, blocking off "ducts" in the shroud. One one each side. It happens that the one on the drivers side is basically behind the trans cooler, and it seems to block air flow. It is held in place by those plastic push in rivets. Snip those off and remove the plastic plate. It lets more air flow thru the trans cooler.

You can see and remove the plate from reaching inside the shroud. Hard to describe but you'll know what I mean when you look at it. If you live in an area that sees winters, you may want to put it back when it gets cold.

I watched my temps drop 10 to 15 degrees and it stays cooler longer,and cools down quicker (once traffic starts moving again), once the plate is removed. Also a good wash down of the cooler to get rid of dirt and bugs helped.

It just seems like a crappy design/location of the cooler. Really does not get any air flow unless moving. I also installed a little 9 inch fan on the cooler. It was tight, but, it did fit. When I get stuck in traffic, I turn that on and it keeps things under 200 while in stop and go traffic towing a 5th wheel. They can be picked up pretty cheap on ebay, but get one that is thin as possible. Even then, I had to shave off about 1/4 inch on the inside portion of my grill.

Also make sure you don't have an obstruction in your lines. If you have an after market "T" for the sender in your line, make sure the sender is not to deep and obstructing flow, or (and I have seen this), I saw a guy install an aftermarket cooler that had 3/8 ths fittings and could not understand why his temps went higher.

Ideal would be to put a trans cooler right in the middle of the radiator where the fan would pull air thru it even while sitting in traffic, it does not get that in it's present location off to the side.

FYI, normal operating temp is considered around 175 so your not to far off. I think it's just an air flow issue. Before I removed the plastic plate, I saw similiar numbers, even with my new tranny, after the plate, 200 is rare, but have not towed heavy. I did change my 3 year old trans temp sending unit at the same time as removing the plastic plate.

I also use the electric fan when I get into stop and go stuff even empty. I plan on moving the stock cooler to inbetween the intercooler and radiator right in line with the air flow created by the engine fan or ading a cooler in that location In the winter, I block it off anyways, so I'm not to worried about over cooling. Have not done as I am currently happy with the temps with this current set up. KD

 

is your TC lockup working? If not, you would see higher temps... Mine does not get above 140 with the TC locked, unlocked and I would see what you are seeing.

Cheers

 

talked to the place that installed my guage, he said that he put the sensor in the hot line. Then I called the place that built my trans and he said that is about in the range of normal opperating temps . He said dont worry. Thats a relief . Thanks guys

1997 CTD 2500 4X4 ex-cab long box 235,000, gear vendors 8 speed overdrive, stage 5 TST fuel plate, 4" exhaust, 370 injectors, full DTT trans, turbo silencer MIA, X-monitor guages, 4:10 gears w/limited slip, new style tow mirrors, stock turbo and pump

2004.5 CTD H.O. 2500 4X4 4 door long box, stock for now