Community Forums

pakman262 · 01-06-2005, 09:15 PM

Before I decide to trade my 2003 Avalanche 5.3L Z-71 in, I would like to see what my tranny temp is running at when I am towing.

Any recommendations on a tranny temp gauge

Also what is safe operating temp for a Tranny?

Thanks

Make 2005 safe & have fun
The Pakman

pakman262 · 01-06-2005, 09:15 PM

Before I decide to trade my 2003 Avalanche 5.3L Z-71 in, I would like to see what my tranny temp is running at when I am towing.

Any recommendations on a tranny temp gauge

Also what is safe operating temp for a Tranny?

Thanks

Make 2005 safe & have fun
The Pakman

cwsoules · 01-07-2005, 02:29 PM

Mine is a Banks gage and the sensor is located in the inlet to the oil cooler. You should keep it below 200 degrees. In bumper to bumper traffic towing slowly in the summer mine will rise to 210 or so which causes me to try to keep it down by shifting to neutral when stopped. There is more flow in neutral than when in park. I have to be particularly careful when backing as the tranny temperature will rise to 240 if I do not get it done quickly.

I have had another tranny oil cooler installed, but have not towed with it yet to see if will help much.

pakman262 · 01-07-2005, 03:09 PM

Thanks for the info. I already have two tranny coolers...the small factory unit plus the largets available aftermarket unit. I guess I should locate my sensor in the inlet to the firts cooler that the tranny fluid hits. What did you pay for the unit and how much did it cost?
Make '05 Safe and Have Fun

The Pakman

cwsoules · 01-08-2005, 10:20 AM

I do not recall exactly but I would expect that you can get one installed for less than $150. I had my tranny gage placed on the drivers side windshield column. I had two more diesel related gages put there too. This location makes it easy to check the temperature. Previously I had an oil sump sensor which read out on a gage at the bottom of the dash where it was difficult to read.

James_Holloway · 01-10-2005, 07:56 AM

I got all three of these AutoMeters. The company - DIS - is well known on other boards. Love mine and been runnin them for about 4 years now. http://www.dieselpage.com/ametercf.htm

I put them all in on my own - even the Pyro - it wasn't too bad. Kinda weird drilling a hole in a brand new trucks turbo pipe though!

Moby Bill · 01-10-2005, 12:01 PM

I have the Isspro gauges, also bought from DIS, and am very satisfied. I suggest that which eever brand you buy, select one that starts reading around 100 degrees and goes to at least 250. For that reason I have the Isspro "oil temp" gauge for my tranny. Important thing is to get one early and mount it where it is easy to monitor such as A pillar or dash. Bill http://www.dieselpage.com/bnkmount.htm

Rick A · 01-12-2005, 06:13 AM

I have the 3 gauge A-Pillar mount with ISS Pro gauges. Bought mine online from Diesel Manor. Was very easy to install. I have been told my tranny temp should run between 70 - 80 degrees above outside temp. I donlt know if that would be different for your truck. Mine has never gone above 190 while towing, but I am way below what my truck can handle. I would say at 200, you need to really start watching it so it doesn;t go to far above that.

kerfcutter · 01-12-2005, 12:33 PM

I have the Isspro gauges mounted on an A-pillar from Dis. Mine will top out at 210 degrees which is what my motor is. The fan will kick on at that temp and the tranny will begin to drop. This is usually in stop and go traffice. On the X-way I will run around 190 towing with my 35' fifth wheel. Was told by a tranny shop that those numbers are fine. What you don't want is the tranny temp higher than the engine temp. Happened to me once....I had a problem with my tranny plug and it wouldn't lock up. The spinning caused my temp to rise to 260 degrees upon which I pulled over and just sat idling until the temp came down. Had to unhook the trailer and take the truck in. Poor connection on the plug. Got it fixed and went back and picked up my trailer. Good thing the IN-laws lived only 3 miles from where I broke down. I pulled it there to drop it off. Went back 4 days later to get it.

pakman262 · 01-16-2005, 07:38 PM

Thanks to all for the great info regarding guages and operating temp range.

I am really impressed with the helpfulness of this cyber community.

Thanks a bunch

Stay safe and let the good times roll!

The Pakman

rustybarrelswa · 04-17-2005, 09:40 AM

I can't believe no one mentioned the gage by B&M, they are one of the best trans specialists around. I've use their products for years and think they impproved my trans and it's lifespan considerably on all the rigs I've owned. The gage they make is spliced in the outgoing line of the the trans and reads to 300 degrees with color codes white yellow red. If you have a factory trans code of M30 4L60E or a MT1 4L80E it would be perfect. Oh I forgot, they are $59.95 complete

gearman · 04-18-2005, 02:58 PM

I ran isspro in my old truck, and autometer in current truck. Very easy to install. I also have got my gages from DIS, www.dieselpage.com
A good trany gage is only about $30-40.

As far as temps, it is true that the coolest temps will only be approx 80 deg above ambient temps, but while towing do not let the trany oil go over 200, or should I say, 200 to 210 watch temps closely, 220 F stop and cool down, then change the trans fluid at the next possible chance as you have cooked the oil.

Wilber1 · 04-19-2005, 06:55 AM

I have a three gauge pillar mount with Autometer Pro-Comp Ultralight gauges. Look great, work great.

NCHornet1 · 04-25-2005, 12:34 PM

I also have the Isspro guages. I have found them to be the best. If you see temps above 200 then you need extra cooling. If you are running DINO fluid and see 220 you need to change fluid. A good synthetic like Mobil One can take temps of 240 before breaking down. Thest source for Isspro guages is at www.kensperformancesolutions.com