Transmission fluid Temp?

[1995 RedVette]

I have recently had the trans in my 95 rebuilt and have noticed quite a range of temperatures depending on where and how I am driving. Interstate 80mph for hours and the fluid is about 170 degrees. Around town I haven't noticed abouve 200 degrees (trans in drive mostly. Over drive when above 50mph), however when in the mountains with the trans pulled back into drive and less than 50 mph, I have seen temps close to 230. Is this a problem? I am having some trouble getting any good information about the proper operating temperature for an automatic transmission. Any thoughts are apprecieated.

Brett

 

[Rabbit]

I believe the temps are outlined in the owner's manual? The only thing I could find in the Helm's is normal operating temp is 180* to 200* F. The owner's manual gives more details but I don't have mine available at this time. As I recall that type of driving (mountain) may cause higher temps.

 

[Vettefan87]

You guys have a Tranny temp gauge? Must be nice....:L

 

[1995 RedVette]

Yeah the later C4's have an ATF temp guage. I checked the owner's manual and it says the fluid level should be checked cold at the 80*F mark and warm at normal opperating temp 180*F to 200*F. I didn't notice any other mention of temperature, however I could have missed it.

In case if matters, the coolant temp never got above 195*F and the oil temp was 220-230.

Brett

 

[Rabbit]

Yeah the later C4's have an ATF temp guage. I checked the owner's manual and it says the fluid level should be checked cold at the 80*F mark and warm at normal opperating temp 180*F to 200*F. I didn't notice any other mention of temperature, however I could have missed it.

In case if matters, the coolant temp never got above 195*F and the oil temp was 220-230.

Brett

Those temps sound normal.

 

[Hrtbeat1]

The cooler you can get the tranny to run the longer it will live. The internal seals won't last very long at all with temps near 300* ... a few hundred miles at best.

 

[1995 RedVette]

Does anyone have a trans cooler attached to their car? Wondering if there are any cooling issues mounting it in the radiator compartment (things are already packed in there) or if it would do better mounter under the car somwhere?

Brett

 

[BlackNBlue95]

Does anyone have a trans cooler attached to their car? Wondering if there are any cooling issues mounting it in the radiator compartment (things are already packed in there) or if it would do better mounter under the car somwhere?

Brett

I have a pretty big trans cooler on my 95' doesn't seem to affect cooling. I also have a Big Mouth Air Dam as well. My 95' does not display the trans temp even though there is a sensor on the valve body. I have installed an Autometer trans temp gauge however.
-=Rick

 

[1995 RedVette]

If I may ask, what brand and capacity did you put in your vet?

The reason I'm wondering all of this is because most of my driving is in the mountains. I live at the base of the applachans(sp) at about 1800 ft. In less than an hour I can be at 4500ft. There is just something about top out mountian running... It's just how it should be. I wonder if running the car at those temps for most of its operating time is good for the trans internals, or if I'm making issue over something that doesn't really matter.

Brett

 

[MARKSC4]

My manual says:

"If the transmission fluid exceeds 280 degrees, the CHECK GAUGES light will come on and HI AUTO will be displayed next to the transmission fluid temperature when you toggle through the GAUGES button."


I've noticed mine will run up to the mid 220's on a hot day, city driving.

Mark

 

[NT Vettman]

Why don't you run a synthetic ATF. Then some of your temp worries would be less of a concern. I just had my tranny rebuilt and put Moble 1 sythetic ATF in it. Runs great no leaks, and I don't worry about the temp

 

[geekinavette]

I just installed a temp gauge after rebuilding the trans in my '84. I use only the external trans cooler in front of the radiator/condenser...18000 I think, it does not go through the radiator cooler. Mine has not see above 210 on "hilly" roads (not really mountain driving though), and usually runs 170-180 on the highway.

Bill

 

[Hrtbeat1]

I run a Hayden 18000(?) and use both the cooler and the radiator cooler. I mounted mine in front of the A/C condenser. I have a larger full core aluminum radiator (almost twice as thick as stock) with no clearance issues. I did have to trim the rubber radiator mounts to get the shroud to seal back up.

 

[geekinavette]

I have one of those dual-core "racing" radiators coming in today...that should really help this C4 cooling problem!

Bill

 

[Hrtbeat1]

I have one of those dual-core "racing" radiators coming in today...that should really help this C4 cooling problem!

Bill

Cooling will be the last of your problems with that. Mine runs around 150 - 160 most of the time. I may hit 170 in city traffic. I feel a lot better with the car running cooler ... even though GM designed these to run at 200+.