Trans heat deadly

[honesT]

Hey, As I said when I joined I would pass on any helpfull info I picked up.
Well here`s a big one, As per Jeep Magazine The specified Operating temp of the XJ AW4 trans is between 125 and 176 degrees. Ok so?
Without an Auxillary Trans fan cooler:gitrdun: they found thier jeep running at 160 degrees up to 260 degrees!!! as stated heat is the killer of auto trannys.
At about 240 Degrees important additives cook off so add weight, Lift kits, bigger than stock wheels + skid plates that block air flow and think how it was designed for stock driving :oops::mock::moon::beavis::fail:

Helps to use low range when wheeling. IMPORTANT( do not block rad air flow with trans cooler find another spot)

I think Jeep Magazine is invaluable.

Check out this site if you want cheeper prices on JP Mag.
http://ca.zinio.com/?cmpgn_var=MAG_Brand&rf=brandesv

May 2010 is the issue I found this info in and will tell you 10 things wrong with your XJ, YJ, CJ, TJ & JK :cool:

[honesT]

I just found this online and has more indepth info than I have knowledge of so check this out and make sure you at least skroll down to the bottom http://4x4trailhunters.com/tech/read/21:thumbsup:

[4.3LXJ]

Thanks for the info. Heat is a killer of auto trannys. One reason I have always liked standard trannys for wheeling. But stuck with the auto tranny for now. Another thing that is good is to run Red Line high heat synthetic. It is a little heavier viscosity than standard auto tranny fluid and designed for higher heat and loads in motor homes.

[honesT]

Thanks for the reply, I just have 1 question about the heavier viscosity as I have read people using heavier oils in the transfercase but apperently the oil pump can`t handle it...

How does the pump work in the AW4 will the heavier viscosity be ok?

Thanks for your time I`m new to the Jeep thing and try to research the :bogroll:out of everyting before I jump in$

[4.3LXJ]

In this case, heavier viscosity is only slightly heavier, and being synthetic, it is not as viscous as paraffin based oils anyway. The bottom line is you really can't tell the difference. It is just slicker. These oils have the reputation of being very clean after 100K.

[MyJeepUnlimited]

I just found this online and has more indepth info than I have knowledge of so check this out and make sure you at least skroll down to the bottom hid headlights (http://electronicfiend.com/hid-kits/) http://4x4trailhunters.com/tech/read/21:thumbsup:

Yea not a fan of Auto Tranny's due to the fact that heat will kill it.

[honesT]

Just Found this GEM of an idea http://jeep-xj.info/HowtoAutoDeepPan.htm :moon:

[4.3LXJ]

Yeah, I have a deep pan on mine. But it is a 4L60E. It is a finned aluminum and holds enough oil for a small tanker. Filling it with synthetic oil was spendy. No issues with it though.

[honesT]

How is it at keeping the trans cool ? Do you know where I could find a deep pan for my AW4?

[4.3LXJ]

It stays cool. I also have a cooler with a fan on it. The fan has not come on yet, so the oil has not been hot yet. The chief benefit of the deep pan is the extra oil, which benefits the whole tranny. The more oil it has to draw on, the longer it will last. Also you can get at weird angles and not starve it for oil.

[honesT]

Read up : http://www.tciauto.com/Products/TechInfo/trans_life_expectancy.asp

[honesT]

Found more helpfull info online: add a remote trans filter will add 1 quart to system and keep ATF cleaner, and a good mounting spot for the trans fan cooler would be above the rear axle, and the best place to get the temp reading from your trans is the output line where it will be the hottest so you know exactly how hot your trans is getting so if need be you can add more goodies :thumbsup:

I found this info at the below stated forum a good read but a couple of clowns posting misleading info like where to have the temp guage :sad0147:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/post-your-trans-cooler-specs-mounting-1046624/

[JENSSEN]

I just put a tranny cooler from a Bus on my XJ never ever got it hot after :)

[honesT]

Great options for coolers:
http://mopderbyproducts.com/transcoolers.html

[4.3LXJ]

Found more helpfull info online: add a remote trans filter will add 1 quart to system and keep ATF cleaner, and a good mounting spot for the trans fan cooler would be above the rear axle, and the best place to get the temp reading from your trans is the output line where it will be the hottest so you know exactly how hot your trans is getting so if need be you can add more goodies :thumbsup:

I found this info at the below stated forum a good read but a couple of clowns posting misleading info like where to have the temp guage :sad0147:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/post-your-trans-cooler-specs-mounting-1046624/

Above the rear axle is not a place I would want to put a trans cooler on a rig that goes off road. In addition to getting plugged up by mud etc, kicking up rocks on a gravel road could put a hole in it. What happens next is self explanatory.

[honesT]

Above the rear axle is not a place I would want to put a trans cooler on a rig that goes off road. In addition to getting plugged up by mud etc, kicking up rocks on a gravel road could put a hole in it. What happens next is self explanatory.

I have to agree with you about the mud but I don`t like really deep mud so it should`nt be an issue I have heard of mud guards for them but I`m guessing if you like mud bogging or really deep mud this is not a great place unless you have a switch to turn the fan off untill you can clean it out, as far as rocks kicking up well you got me there to but I have never seen any rock chips in that area of my Rig and you could always put a mesh grill to cover it ...

I have read so many different ways to mount them, in front of rad is bad cuz it blocks the air flow to the rad and causes cooling issues, another flaw is that the rad will transfer heat to the cooler. Anything that causes the cooling system to run even slightly below perfect for me is just asking for trouble and will rob the engine of it`s headgasket...

Another one I read was to mount it to the hood but the heat from the engine bay does not make this ideal in my mind, but then again I`m not a scientist so any help is greatly appreciated.

Anyone who has any ideas of different places to mount the trans fancooler please scribble it down, does not have to be full of great detail :confused:

[ParadiseXJ]

Above the rear axle is not a place I would want to put a trans cooler on a rig that goes off road...

Agreed. But I'm still for having my cooler up in front of the e-fan where it gets the most air flow when I want it to. My cooling system is in good shape, and even upgraded (I'm converted to an open system, have a ZJ HD fan clutch, and curved blade e-fan on a switch) lack of flow over the radiator would not be my biggest concern.

For those who don't have a temp gauge on their tranny how would you ever know if your tranny was getting hot?? Slipping? Not shifting? By then you've already stressed the thing because you're probably over 260F...and if you run it over that for any extended period you're doing damage.

If you haven't ever seen this graph, you should take a look (I know it's tiny). It can explain some thing about what temps do to the transmission. Not Jeep specific.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u196/chasdwitt/ALL%20JEEP/TransLifeChartfromHECATInc.jpg