My RV transmission has been running at 210 to 225 on the freeway. I just added a 10" electric fan to the tranny cooler and was surprised to see that my RV still got up to 210 on the freeway. I hear other people say their RVs run at 150 - 180. My tranny has new fluid and the cooler is clean. The weather has been around 80. The RV is a 1997 460 F53 with the full Banks system. I'm wondering if I need a new / larger cooler or should I be happy with 210 on the freeway?

Your E4OD should be running 70 to 100 degrees above the ambient temperature. Definitely more cooling capacity is needed. Although your tranny will survivr at the temps you are seeing, statistics say you will have a reduced tranny life more so than if it were running cooler. Are you aware of people adapting the 6.0L diesel engine cooler to their Ford diesels for better cooling. Would you be able to mount a 6.0 cooler in the radiator airflow on your vehicle?

That is about the same temps that mine runs when towing the toad. I have the same setup as yours. I plan to install a larger cooler this fall when I change out the radiator to maybe lower the temps just a bit.

Have you thought about trying one of these Trans Pan. I had one n my 1990 Ford F350 Class C. It increases the amount of fluid, plus has it's own built in cooling unit.

How much air flow do you have?If I run my chrome classics cloud rider grill insert on my truck it runs 10-15 degree higher on the trans temp

I would take a guess and say that your torque converter isn't locking up.

Transmission temperature | Good Sam Community

FuzzyKnight
Explorer
Jul 25, 2013
Take the radiator out of the system. Use a large aux cooler with a fan only!!!. My 94 Pace Arrow with a F53 chassis the tranny cooler just barely gets warm when the fan is on.
Also I have a Gear Vendors OD and do not use the factory OD.
427435
Explorer
Jul 25, 2013
To get the last quart or two out, disconnect the cooler lines at the tranny and apply LOW air pressure to one of them.
RLS7201
Explorer II
Jul 25, 2013
ThorResidencyNewbee wrote:
Can I just drain the old fluid from the pan and add synthetic or do I need to do some type of a full flush?

Thanks.

No flush necessary. The torque converter has 2 drain plugs, 180º apart. Draining the pan and torque converter will get 17 quarts out of the transmission.

Richard
ThorResidencyNe
Explorer
Jul 25, 2013
Can I just drain the old fluid from the pan and add synthetic or do I need to do some type of a full flush?

Thanks.
427435
Explorer
Jul 25, 2013
ThorResidencyNewbee wrote:
I've heard that a switch to synthetic fluid can drop the temp up to 20 degrees. Has anyone else heard this? If so, any recommendations?

Thanks.

That would be a good thing to do. Even if it doesn't lower the temp, a good synthetic oil will not break down under higher operating temps.
Gjac
Explorer III
Jul 25, 2013
I heard the same thing but when I switched it did not reduce eng temps at all.
ThorResidencyNe
Explorer
Jul 25, 2013
I've heard that a switch to synthetic fluid can drop the temp up to 20 degrees. Has anyone else heard this? If so, any recommendations?

Thanks.
royl
Explorer
Jul 25, 2013
Diplomat Don wrote:
Have you thought about trying one of these Trans Pan. I had one n my 1990 Ford F350 Class C. It increases the amount of fluid, plus has it's own built in cooling unit.

I looked at those pans but I am not sure it would clear the cross over pipe with tahe Banks system installed. It runs under the pan and may not clear it. I think I will try either putting in an additional cooler or just replacing the factory cooler with a larger aftermarket cooler.
ThorResidencyNe
Explorer
Jul 25, 2013
The engine temp varies depending on the terrain, but usually it is on the "O" in normal.
Gjac
Explorer III
Jul 24, 2013
What does your eng temp run when your trans is at 210?

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