New Owner! Transmission heating up

[bfisher003]

A few days ago we returned from a 7,000 mile trip out West, pulling our 14,500 pound fifth wheel with our 2018 F-350 diesel (13,000 miles at start, 20,000 miles at end). When out in Colorado and towing up some long steep grades it seemed to me the tranny temps climbed fairly high. For example, pulling eastbound on I-70 up the Ike (and due to traffic backup we literally crawled the seven miles or so up the Ike at like 10-15 mph in first gear) I saw the tranny temps reach as high as 239 degrees; not into the red on the gauge, but high, right? Coolant temps were hitting the low 220s.

I have scheduled the truck in for oil change and tranny drain and flush this week.

When I mentioned this and inquired about it at my local Ford dealer they said it probably got that hot because we were going so slow, but I experienced several other times that the tranny temps got into the high 220s on other long grades at higher speeds.

Are these temps abnormally high? Is a add on transmission cooler available and the way to go for my 6.7 diesel?


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[jameststinson]

Had the same problem with my 2017 F-350 towing my 5ver. Check out BD Performance Transmission Cover, increases capacity, use Amsoil trans fluid along with friction modifier: problem solved. Also upgraded my diff cover for more capacity. I’ve seen the difference.


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[Shaggy]

Had the same problem with my 2017 F-350 towing my 5ver. Check out BD Performance Transmission Cover, increases capacity, use Amsoil trans fluid along with friction modifier: problem solved. Also upgraded my diff cover for more capacity. I’ve seen the difference.


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Nice idea.

 

[bfisher003]

Does any of this void my factory warranty?


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[jameststinson]

Does any of this void my factory warranty?


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[jameststinson]

Will not void warranty. Also installed an S&B cold air intake yesterday. Does not void warranty either.


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[01yellerCobra]

Had the same problem with my 2017 F-350 towing my 5ver. Check out BD Performance Transmission Cover, increases capacity, use Amsoil trans fluid along with friction modifier: problem solved. Also upgraded my diff cover for more capacity. I’ve seen the difference.


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How did changing the diff cover affect your transmission temps? Friction modifier, that's for limited slip diffs. It actually causes some slippage so the discs don't chatter in a turn. Slipping is bad in an auto trans.

As for the warranty being voided, modifying any system can void that part of the warranty. But the dealer has to prove the aftermarket part caused the failure. And it also depends on how by the book the dealer is.

 

[jameststinson]

I cannot prove the diff cover along with the added 3-4 qt capacity had any effect on my trans temp when hauling 14k lbs. my common sense tells me the higher cooling capacity and lubricants equals lower temperatures and longevity of parts. I added Archoil additive to my trans. I may be wrong calling it a “modifier” yet it solved MY high temp problem.


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[01yellerCobra]

I cannot prove the diff cover along with the added 3-4 qt capacity had any effect on my trans temp when hauling 14k lbs. my common sense tells me the higher cooling capacity and lubricants equals lower temperatures and longevity of parts. I added Archoil additive to my trans. I may be wrong calling it a “modifier” yet it solved MY high temp problem.


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I was just curious as the thread was talking about trans temps and you started talking about diff covers. I'm sure the cover helped with the diff, but it wouldn't do anything for the trans. Hoopefully you didn't go with the flat style cover. Those have been shown by Currie to be bad for the diffs.

 

[jameststinson]

Yeah, I addressed the trans temps in my first sentence. Just added more to the conversation. Both trans / diff cover increases capacity 4-6 quarts and are not flat maximizing cooling via fins


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