normal atf temp ???

#1 10-11-2002, 07:45 AM

just installed a tranny temp gauge( put it in the ashtray area). in a spirited 10 mile drive on flat roads i hit 202 degrees! i have scanned this forum for a 'normal' operating temp for these cars and the opinions seem rather varied. my neighbor who is a chrysler master tech says for every 10 degrees below 200 degrees you double you tranny life and for every 10 degrees above you cut it in half ,at about 240.....the end is near. it seems that it is imposible to run too cool. i saw one member mention that 170 is specified in the owners manual as normal- i cant find that anywhere in the 92' manual. thanks for all your input

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Earthworm · #2 10-11-2002, 02:33 PM

The highest I've ever seen my gauge go up to was 225°F after almost 2 hours straight of city driving. (I don't have a cooler either)

I'm normally under 200° and under 170° on the highway.

Landshark · #3 10-11-2002, 04:44 PM

the worst for getting the temp up is driving up hills and hot weather. combine the two, and the fluid gets HOT, QUICK!

dromano · #4 10-12-2002, 12:18 PM

fab9joe,
do you have an add-on atf cooler? Is your radiator the original? Where is the sensor mounted?

I envy your mileage, mine 92's have 81,500 & 95,700.

#5 10-12-2002, 07:17 PM

i have not installed an after market atf cooler yet. i will be asking the group which is the best one soon. the radiator is original. i like my mileage too, but it keeps going up the more i drive...... thanks for your in input

dromano · #6 10-13-2002, 11:00 AM

There is a screen in the radiator atf cooler in the 92 & 93's. I suggest that when you add a cooler, by pass the radiator cooler. Stack plate coolers do the best of cooling. I have a 30k GVW
Hayden between the radiator and a/c condensor. In Oregon the cruising temp is 145 on the flat. Here in the desert (Palm Springs) 160-190. Have you notice when you drive with tranny in 3rd the temp goes up quick?

Quote:

Originally posted by fab9joe
i have not installed an after market atf cooler yet. i will be asking the group which is the best one soon. the radiator is original. i like my mileage too, but it keeps going up the more i drive...... thanks for your in input

#7 10-13-2002, 12:12 PM

iam still conducting experiments with the 3rd gear vs drive. do you have photos of your cooler and what brand is it and how much was it? thanks.

dromano · #8 10-13-2002, 10:46 PM

I don't have pictures. The cooler was $50 + s&h.
Do a search for Hayden atf coolers. Where is your temp sensor mounted?

#9 10-14-2002, 07:43 AM

we mounted the temp sensor in the line going into the radiator cooler out of the filter can under the battery.

Earthworm · #10 10-15-2002, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dromano
Have you notice when you drive with tranny in 3rd the temp goes up quick?

In third gear the Torque Converter does not lock up. It is still slipping and generating heat. As soon as the TC locks up (~150°F for me) the temp will drop 10-15 degrees within about 30 seconds.

#11 10-20-2002, 11:36 AM

so why do people say it is better to drive around town in position 3 ???

Earthworm · #12 10-21-2002, 01:36 PM

Maybe not better...but more fun. If you're driving around at speeds above 50mph then the tranny is better off in D

#13 10-22-2002, 10:54 PM

Apperently the act of shifting into 4th gear generates more heat. When driving around town, you're eliminating one shift from the process, thus creating less heat... which will keep the tranny cooler.

Mike

svxy · #14 10-25-2002, 07:27 PM

This is where I heard about driving in third around town.

http://my.voyager.net/~tmclane/#_Toc482082574

#15 10-27-2002, 07:12 AM

since the install of a b@m 19000 gvw cooler in between the condenser and the radiator my tranny temp went from 200-225 degrees around town to 180-185. much better but it still could improve. i hear 'trans gard' additive is the only one that actually does anything, they claim 20 degree drop in atf temp.
any thoughts?