+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 21

Thread: Transmission too cold? Is that even possible?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    San Antonio, Tx
    Posts
    355

    Transmission too cold? Is that even possible?

    I installed a huge 10 row transmission cooler on my truck a week ago after cooking my fluid after 12,000 miles with the new converter making more heat. I have driven the truck 3 times with it and the transmission hasnt gotten above 160F yet and it used to run at 220F. Tonight we had a "cold front" in San Antonio and it's 55F outside. The trans never got above 110F in a ten mile trip. Is that too cold? Thanks
    2002 ECSB 2WD 5.3
    1995 Formula Firebird 383 LT1
    1984 Camaro 408 SBC

    Most sports require one ball, motocross requires two.

    Racing isn't a matter of life and death, it's much more important than that.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Crowder, OK
    Posts
    8,005
    Quote Originally Posted by screaminchicken View Post
    I installed a huge 10 row transmission cooler on my truck a week ago after cooking my fluid after 12,000 miles with the new converter making more heat. I have driven the truck 3 times with it and the transmission hasnt gotten above 160F yet and it used to run at 220F. Tonight we had a "cold front" in San Antonio and it's 55F outside. The trans never got above 110F in a ten mile trip. Is that too cold? Thanks
    The only problem I can see with it being too cold would be fluid viscosity. Just out of curiousity, where did you get the cooler?

    1969 Chevy RCLB C10 350/TH400 SOLD
    2007 Chevy RCSB 4.8 4x4 LS SOLD
    2008 Chevy RCSB 5.3 4x4 LT SOLD
    2010 Chevy CCSB 6.2 4x4 LT SOLD
    2005 GMC CCLB DRW 6.6 Duramax 4x4 191,000 and counting
    2013 FORD CCSB F350 6.7 Powerstroke 4x4


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    San Antonio, Tx
    Posts
    355
    Quote Originally Posted by pl4yboy View Post
    The only problem I can see with it being too cold would be fluid viscosity. Just out of curiousity, where did you get the cooler?
    I got the cooler from Nogalitos Gear on the south side. Its just called a Trans-saver. Dont know anything else about it but its a 10 row and the one they recomended for me. I wired it in series with my cooler in the radiator. And I use Lubrication Engineers Monolec 7500 fluid.
    2002 ECSB 2WD 5.3
    1995 Formula Firebird 383 LT1
    1984 Camaro 408 SBC

    Most sports require one ball, motocross requires two.

    Racing isn't a matter of life and death, it's much more important than that.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Fort Wayne, IN
    Posts
    145
    Most recommend using a Thermal bypass valve if it gets real cold where you live. This lets the cold fluid(thick) bypass the cooler and run back to the trans. Once it is up to temp the valve opens and puts the cooler back inline, but if you have you lines ran threw the radiator I would not worry about it. I live in Indiana and I have not ordered my valve yet and it has been freezing more than once this year. I have just let the truck warm up before I drive it. If I don't it wont shift into overdrive and I don't want to risk starving the trans of fluid so we will see how it goes. So like pl4yboy said the viscosity is all I would worry about.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    San Antonio, Tx
    Posts
    355
    Thanks you guys. I'm moving up to Wyotech in June so when I am there I may install that valve because it gets really cold in Laramie from what I hear.
    Last edited by screaminchicken; 11-27-2010 at 01:22 PM. Reason: Spelling
    2002 ECSB 2WD 5.3
    1995 Formula Firebird 383 LT1
    1984 Camaro 408 SBC

    Most sports require one ball, motocross requires two.

    Racing isn't a matter of life and death, it's much more important than that.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    middle tennessee
    Posts
    94
    You don't need to worry about it unless its like below 0* f. In any normal conditions the pcm will simply keep the torque converter from locking up until the trans fluid reaches an acceptable temp. The unlocked tcc clutch allows the torque converter to simply run at stall speed. The slippage heats up the fluid quicker. This will only take a mile or two at highway speeds no matter what size cooler you are running. If it is really super cold you could always place a small piece of cardboard in front of the cooler like the truckers do.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Crowder, OK
    Posts
    8,005
    Quote Originally Posted by aj06bolt12r View Post
    You don't need to worry about it unless its like below 0* f. In any normal conditions the pcm will simply keep the torque converter from locking up until the trans fluid reaches an acceptable temp. The unlocked tcc clutch allows the torque converter to simply run at stall speed. The slippage heats up the fluid quicker. This will only take a mile or two at highway speeds no matter what size cooler you are running. If it is really super cold you could always place a small piece of cardboard in front of the cooler like the truckers do.
    Laramie Wyoming gets below 0*F

    1969 Chevy RCLB C10 350/TH400 SOLD
    2007 Chevy RCSB 4.8 4x4 LS SOLD
    2008 Chevy RCSB 5.3 4x4 LT SOLD
    2010 Chevy CCSB 6.2 4x4 LT SOLD
    2005 GMC CCLB DRW 6.6 Duramax 4x4 191,000 and counting
    2013 FORD CCSB F350 6.7 Powerstroke 4x4


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    42141
    Posts
    714
    he's from texas... Am I nuts for thinking the tranny wont warm up if it's sitting in park?

    a tranny builder once told me to leave my car in neutral and let it warm up...
    Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
    Psalms 144:1

    Si vis pacem, para bellum

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    middle tennessee
    Posts
    94
    Even in park the pump in your tranny is pumping fluid. It may pick up some heat from being cycled around but the best way to heat it up is to simply accelerate slowly and let the torque converter do its job, it is by far the biggest producer of heat in three trans.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Crowder, OK
    Posts
    8,005
    Quote Originally Posted by kyhunter89 View Post
    he's from texas... Am I nuts for thinking the tranny wont warm up if it's sitting in park?

    a tranny builder once told me to leave my car in neutral and let it warm up...
    Moving to Laramie... read entire thread.

    1969 Chevy RCLB C10 350/TH400 SOLD
    2007 Chevy RCSB 4.8 4x4 LS SOLD
    2008 Chevy RCSB 5.3 4x4 LT SOLD
    2010 Chevy CCSB 6.2 4x4 LT SOLD
    2005 GMC CCLB DRW 6.6 Duramax 4x4 191,000 and counting
    2013 FORD CCSB F350 6.7 Powerstroke 4x4


+ Reply to Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts