First tow, tranny temps

roger45 · 05-29-2008, 03:29 PM

Well my buddy with his 2005 Duramax and the Allison tranny made his first trip this last weekend. We both went 600 miles round trip, his 5er is 15K in weight while mine is 10K. Driving the Parks Highway in Alaska (lots of hills). His tranny ran at 210 to 220 F most of the way while my modified E4OD ran at 150-165F. Are these common temperatures for the Allison? Do you haulers recommend any Mods (like larger tranny pan, extra cooler, synthetic oil, other)??? Those temps just seem high to me. Thanks for any input.

**Bryan@ATS Diesel** · 05-29-2008, 03:33 PM

Given the weight, those are some pretty good temps. I wouldn't worry about it.

**BigRedChevy** · 05-29-2008, 10:42 PM

I agree that sounds about right, but if those temps are bothering him he could always get a larger tranny cooler. Mike L with Inglewood Transmission makes a good kit.

roger45 · 05-29-2008, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChevy

I agree that sounds about right, but if those temps are bothering him he could always get a larger tranny cooler. Mike L with Ingelwood Transmission makes a good kit.

I am not sure if it bothers him, but it does bother me. The outside temperature was in the mid 50F range...if it was in high 80s to 90s it could get really hot and really fast. On my truck (gasp, a Ford) I added a larger tranny pan so my automatic holds 5 gallons of synthetic, I added a larger cooler *in-line* with the stock, and an in-line magnetic filter. When towing my 5er over the Rockies in Wyoming when it was about 90F outside I never got over 185F, and that was downshifted into 2nd, at about 3200RPM

I would like to see lower temps in tha Allison, but I know 220F is not dangerous, but 30 degrees hotter could be a real problem IMHO. Thanks for the heads up on the cooler!

**BigRedChevy** · 05-29-2008, 11:28 PM

I just ordered the Allison deep pan that will hold another 3 qts or oil and am debating whether or not to get the tranny cooler. I have talked to serval people that claim after installing the mike L cooler that they haven't seen anything over 200 no matter the weight or outside temp.

**Hook'em_Horns!** · 05-31-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roger45

I am not sure if it bothers him, but it does bother me. The outside temperature was in the mid 50F range...if it was in high 80s to 90s it could get really hot and really fast. On my truck (gasp, a Ford) I added a larger tranny pan so my automatic holds 5 gallons of synthetic, I added a larger cooler *in-line* with the stock, and an in-line magnetic filter. When towing my 5er over the Rockies in Wyoming when it was about 90F outside I never got over 185F, and that was downshifted into 2nd, at about 3200RPM

I would like to see lower temps in tha Allison, but I know 220F is not dangerous, but 30 degrees hotter could be a real problem IMHO. Thanks for the heads up on the cooler!

Mine loaded heavy at 30k+ GCW through steep and winding hills runs 210-215 at 50f and the same yesterday at 97f. It's normal op temps, no worries.

Big White Dmax · 06-12-2008, 07:14 PM

This chart shows the safe temperature range and tells what happens as temp rises.
TCI - TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Transmission Life Expectancy

**TYREBOYZ_DEMAXIN** · 06-13-2008, 04:52 AM

doing a deeper tranny pan will not realy help lower tranny temps now doing a different tranny cooler will so before you spend the $$ on the deep pan do the tranny cooler..

roger45 · 06-13-2008, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TYREBOYZ_DEMAXIN

doing a deeper tranny pan will not realy help lower tranny temps now doing a different tranny cooler will so before you spend the $$ on the deep pan do the tranny cooler..

More volumn over a larger surface (toss in synthetic) is the *best* way to reduce the temperatures. While I agree that a bigger or even a second cooler helps, putting more volumn through is the ultimate answer IMHO.

For my PSD I added a Hayden Cooler In-Line with my stock cooler. Do you guys do that with the Duramax? Or, do you replace the factory stock one all together?

I went to Summit Racing and found an excellent pan for my PSD for 1/3 the cost of the big boys...I did not care that it wasn't powder coated. Added 5 gallons total for my tranny

I assume there is something like that for the Duramax???

Thanks for all the in-put!

ronk49753 · 06-13-2008, 10:02 AM

Temps sound good to me - outside temps don't really seem to have much effect on tranny temp, hills DO. Outside temps seem only to bear on my engine temp while towing. Temps above 80 cause the cooling fan to start/stop a lot more often than temps below 80