I have a 2005 48RE with around 95k on it. I hear that the average temp while pulling is around 170* Mine will see that without pulling in the summer. Towing its gone up to 220*...I soon pulled over.
Could there be a reason for the high temps? Plugged line?
Is there a way to check?
I wish I knew more about these things.

Thanks for any help

 

Are you going over about 48 or under when it heats? Torque converter locks up at about 48. I tow heavy and only see temps rise when tc is not locked up, and when my tc went out.. I use a tc lockup switch to keep it locked up when towing traveling slow on forest service roads and such.

 

My stock 48re would run about 190 most of the time but would go over 200 to 210 in the summer heat when in traffic. Like said above it will run cooler with converter locked.

 

Where is the probe located?

 

I don't know a lot about the 48re, but based on the advice of others I removed the check valve on the hot cooler line. The result was that my transmission runs much cooler than yours, even while towing my 12,000# 5th wheel. My temperature probe was installed in the same location as the check valve.
John

 

I'm not sure how to tell if it is locked or not. It will heat up at any speed while towing. The probe is in the pan.

Has anyone used the BD valve body? I need to replace my kick down solenoid so a new valve body makes sense.

 

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93 high hopes:

I would suggest moving your trannny temp probe from the pan to the trans line coming out of the transmission and going BACK to the cooler.

If you are getting temperatures over 200 degrees with that probe in the pan I can almost guarantee you that the temperatures are higher than that.

As the other members told you, if the transmission TC stays "locked" you shouldn't be getting temeratures that high. You can feel (at least I can) when the 48RE shifts into 4th gear and then "locks" up. The advice given to you about installing a "lock-up switch" is another good idea. They are easy to install and I think we have a "step by step" in our SEARCH area. If not,...
just Google "2005 Dodge CTD CR Transmission Lock-Up Switch" and you should find it there Sir.

 

Mine can go to 190F as well with no load in summer and I dont even live in a real hot area. I am using the acutemp clamp on the hot line at the trans. I put some heat sink compound on it to get better heat transfer.
You could get a deeper oil pan, I think some come with cooling fins.
Hose out all your front heat exchangers
I can lock up my trans a little early sometimes by turning my packbrake exhaust brake on, it changes the shift points.
It would be interesting to hear some temperatures from someone with a built up trans.
Once you get gauges you can really see how what you always figured was a safe normal is almost an over temp. condition.

 

My 48RE will run between 170 and 220 under various conditions - it is an 04 stock with an oversized pan added. Initially I was very concerned - but after 120,000 miles (maybe half towing 10,000 to 14,000#) and no issues I guess it takes the temps OK.

btw - I get my temps from the stock sensor and put a second gauge on the return line to the pan to be sure.

 

When I got my tranny built I was told that when towing to make sure to keep my RPMs at 1800 or more. Engine RPMs are directly related to the pump speed and fluid circulation in the transmission.

 

Installed a Derale fan cooled transmission cooler. And a B&M oil pan that added 4 quart capacity. All for $280.


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My transmission temperature on running as high as 190 degrees during the hottest days during summer. This concerned me greatly so installed a auxillary transmission cooler on my truck rated at for a 12,000 lb truck. After installed I noticed that my trans temperature runs between 140-155 consistanly. Also when temperature does rise above 160 degrees it drops quickl back down between 140 and 155 degrees.

2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4
48RE Trans
Smarty Jr. Programmer
AFE 4.5" Air Intake
4"Lift Kit

 

where did you put the cooler. what cooler did you use.

 

installed a Flex A Lite automatic cooler that I purchased from Advance Auto Parts. The trans cooler is rated for a 20,000 gvw. truck. I thought it was rated for a 12,000 lb. truck, but after finding the box it came in I realized it was actually rated much higher. I mounted it in front, see photo.

Flex-a-lite 4120 Translife Transmission Oil Cooler Kit - 20,000 GVW

 

I have the RTD mounted in the pan and it used to read from 130* to under 150* in the summer in south Texas. I have a deep tranny pan (Mag-Hytek) and also an auxiliary ATF filter on a housing I mounted on the port frame rail with stainless-clad hoses so there is quite a bit of extra capacity there. I have a triple-lock TC that is made [proprietary] by Jeff Garmon. Transmission is a Stage 2 with billet input shaft and beefed up valve body etc. I also di a heat exchanger bypass around the exchanger mounted on the back of the engine due to several stories of guys who had that exchanger rupture, filling the transmission with coolant and subsequently putting the kibosh on any further use out of that tranny. Needless to say I did not want to pony up another $6500 for a transmission so decided to bypass the exchanger. I cut into the stainless line and ran a new piece of SS tubing up to the ATF radiator in the front and left the return line intact. Changed the aux filter and re-filled with Amsoil synthetic ATF 4 so now the gauge never really gets over 130*. Granted the probe is in the pan but it still lets me keep an eye on how the fluid is doing and the transmission seems to be really happy like this. No problems running down the road at all. Plus I know there will never be coolant getting into the transmission.

Just thought I would throw that out there because I don't think a lot of guys realize the deal with that heat exchanger mounted on the engine. Not sure why it would rupture, maybe if fittings are over-tightened or something but at any rate it is good to be aware of. And I lost another 20* just from bypassing the exchanger.