Do these temps seem normal?

ericfromspace8

ericfromspace8

New member
Bone stock truck with all new fluids. The picture was taken immediately after getting off the freeway at a steady 70 mph for about 10 miles with AC on. Ambient temperature was 70 degrees. My concern is if I'm running a little hot? I have a trip coming up for the Fourth of July where I'll be pulling about 2000 lbs people/gear/trailer. I'll be driving through the desert with temps well above 90 degrees.
 

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My engine coolant temps will hit 195 on my '94 V6 just running around town, so your 203 on the highway doesn't look out of line. 172 for the tranny is also about right. Much cooler than that and the water doesn't get evaporated out effectively. Generally 180 deg is considered the 100,000 mile life point for transmission fluid. Lifetime goes down by ~50% for each 18 degrees above that.
 
Temps look pretty normal to me. If you have this app in the truck, it'll be great to monitor while on your road trip.

One suggestion, if you are pulling a trailer, get an external trans cooler to bypass the stock one. Also try turning off O/D if your trans temps are getting too high. I watched my gauge drop 20* by doing that.
 
They look fine but I bet your thermostat jiggle valve is not in the down 6 o'clock position. If you flip it you most likely wont break 195* in hot weather.
 
I notice the volts read 12.7.
That's not right unless it doesn't measure charging volts.

I'd verify that with a multimeter directly to the battery while it's running.

As far as the temps I ran at a solid 200 all the time with my old thermostat.
Never changed even towing in the summer.
I wouldn't worry about that.
 
Last edited:
alumarine said:
I notice the volts read 12.7.
That's not right unless it doesn't measure charging volts.

I'd verify that with a multimeter directly to the battery while it's running.

As far as the temps I ran at a solid 200 all the time with my old thermostat.
Never changed even towing in the summer.
I wouldn't worry about that.
Click to expand...

I was guessing he just turned his motor off but was still monitoring. I was going to say something but didnt.

If running he should be seeing 13.4-14v.
 
JayRolla said:
I was guessing he just turned his motor off but was still monitoring. I was going to say something but didnt.

If running he should be seeing 13.4-14v.
Click to expand...

even at 600rpm? I'd noticed the same thing but to be honest I'm not sure where it should sit at idle. 12.7 does seem low either way though.
 
ericfromspace8 said:
Bone stock truck with all new fluids. The picture was taken immediately after getting off the freeway at a steady 70 mph for about 10 miles with AC on. Ambient temperature was 70 degrees. My concern is if I'm running a little hot? I have a trip coming up for the Fourth of July where I'll be pulling about 2000 lbs people/gear/trailer. I'll be driving through the desert with temps well above 90 degrees.
Click to expand...

Coolant temp is in the "acceptable" range though as Jay said, your thermostat is probably oriented with the jiggle valve at 12 o'clock – if you move it to 6 o'clock it will most likely drop your temps down to low 190's.

As others mentioned as well – 12.7 volts is too low. Might be a new alternator in your near future.
 
StreetCreeper said:
Coolant temp is in the "acceptable" range though as Jay said, your thermostat is probably oriented with the jiggle valve at 12 o'clock – if you move it to 6 o'clock it will most likely drop your temps down to low 190's.
Click to expand...

What is the "acceptable" range? Mine is consistently 175-180F
 
I get about the same trans temp as you, but my coolant temp never hits 200 and I live in the 110 degree desert.
 
My coolant temp hits 188. That's as high as I've seen it even on our 95 degree day with the AC on.

His stock Alt will not put out its rated amps at idle. So with the AC on and fan on medium to high and foot on brake with engine in gear I can see 12.7v.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I would say the trans is too hot. Ideal running temp there is 150ish. Might consider an external cooler in series.
 
I_bRAD said:
What is the "acceptable" range? Mine is consistently 175-180F
Click to expand...
That is still fine, but you probably have a very old 'loose' thermostat. Mine ran in the low 180's on a ~15 year old OEM thermostat. My new OEM now runs around at 188-190*F.

alumarine said:
I notice the volts read 12.7.
That's not right unless it doesn't measure charging volts.

I'd verify that with a multimeter directly to the battery while it's running.

As far as the temps I ran at a solid 200 all the time with my old thermostat.
Never changed even towing in the summer.
I wouldn't worry about that.
Click to expand...
12.7 Is possible at a low idle with headlights on, AC fan on and brake lights on. That is still not discharging the battery (though, it isn't charging it either). An upgrade to the wiring might be helpful, but isn't necessary as long as it is charging the rest of the time.

4-Ripcord said:
I would say the trans is too hot. Ideal running temp there is 150ish. Might consider an external cooler in series.
Click to expand...
100*F over ambient is normal for the stock cooler only, so his system is working fine. Cooler temps would be nice but aren't necessary.

-Charlie
 
Thank you to everyone for their input and suggestions. To answer some questions.
I was stopped at a red light when I took the photo. AC on, torque pro app tablet charging, my phone charging, both using 2.4 amp chargers. Drls on and radio going. I'm not sure where the torque pro app gets it's voltage data from. My truck starts up quickly every time. Battery is fairly new.

This weekend I'll flip the thermostat to see where the jiggle valve was positioned. So I'll post again with a new reading to see if anything changed.

Would I really need a trans cooler? I only tow for trips a couple times a year.
 
The tranny cooler would be an added benefit for the trans. Cooler temps usually equal longer life. The B&M 70264 is a popular choice. It has a low pressure drop (doesn't begin opening until the fluid is 170F, where at 180f it is open all the way) and fits nicely in front of the cooling fan.

The real issue that needs addressing is why the voltage is below 13.2. How old is the battery?
 
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