10R80 transmission coolant

[HammaMan]

Now this is an awesome piece…..didn’t know this existed.

The only downside is that you get no trans warming from the coolant. Still unsure if this matters in the PB given the oil sprays onto the traction motor windings for cooling, and by extension, heating

Also I think the trans temp regulation occurs at the valve that feeds coolant to the heat exchanger so it will likely require an inline thermostat so it doesn't get too cold in the winter.

Sponsored

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

The only downside is that you get no trans warming from the coolant. Still unsure if this matters in the PB given the oil sprays onto the traction motor windings for cooling, and by extension, heating

Also I think the trans temp regulation occurs at the valve that feeds coolant to the heat exchanger so it will likely require an inline thermostat so it doesn't get too cold in the winter.

A few great points for sure. These transmissions are a bit touchy as they are. Who knows what issues may arise from decreased fluid warming in winter.

There have been some that have had noise when trans is cold. I believe most were up north and sub zero temps

 

[Pcabe5]

A few great points for sure. These transmissions are a bit touchy as they are. Who knows what issues may arise from decreased fluid warming in winter.

There have been some that have had noise when trans is cold. I believe most were up north and sub zero temps

I can only speak for myself, but I started out at -15°F and my transmission reached 150°F after 3 1/2 hours of driving. I had zero transmission shifting issues or weird noises. It stayed below 100°F for 2 hours until ambient started to get above zero.

GM/Chevy 1500 use an air-to-oil cooler on the 10L80 with a thermostatic block to control the fluid flow and temperature. GM tend to stay in the 160-170°F range where the mine tends to be in the 190-200°F range. Towing with the 5.0L seeing 230°F is not uncommon.

 

[F150Q8]

Just to keep you guys updated about my case. Today I installed spd 170 thermostat. Engine temp run between 175 to 185 and also the tranny temp went max to 195, it was going up to 215 during this time of the year (air temp 60-75). So the thermostat helped out lowering both my engine and tranny temps. During summer the AC will be running so the fan will also be running for the AC refrigerant, which also helps cooling the radiator. Therefore I can see the summer temps will be fine while fans are running.

 

[HammaMan]

Just to keep you guys updated about my case. Today I installed spd 170 thermostat. Engine temp run between 175 to 185 and also the tranny temp went max to 195, it was going up to 215 during this time of the year (air temp 60-75). So the thermostat helped out lowering both my engine and tranny temps. During summer the AC will be running so the fan will also be running for the AC refrigerant, which also helps cooling the radiator. Therefore I can see the summer temps will be fine while fans are running.

Very interesting finding -- that indicates a shitty design on ford's part for the routing of the coolant heading to the trans. Sounds like they've strictly tied it the motor and not letting it pull directly from the rad. Time to look into a 3 way and a Y fitting off of the pump!

That's a pretty big development
@Snakebitten

 

[Snakebitten]

I'll wait for further reports.
Especially in hotter ambients and/or under load.

I rather don't mind 200F for engine oil, engine coolant, and transmission fluid, since most of engineering and the chemistry is actually built around that temp.

But I'm happy to hear any solution that can keep those temps close to 200F under load and in tropical summer ambients.

 

[SALEEN961]

My truck has a 170° engine coolant thermostat installed and it's tuned, but no physical modifications have been made to the transmission or trans cooler. My tune file has modified fan settings, a desired ECT of 180°F as opposed to the stock 210°F, I changed the desired position of the upper grill shutters, and my lower grill shutters have been removed.

At an ambient temp of 27°F, my transmission fluid never really reaches full operating temperature at highway speeds while the torque converter clutch is locked. After 75 minutes I got off the highway and did some local stop and go driving which caused my trans temp to start climbing again.

0 minutes, 0 miles, 30°F ATF
10 minutes, 4.2 miles, 83°F ATF
20 minutes, 9.2 miles, 112°F ATF
36 minutes, 18.9 miles, 147°F ATF
45 minutes, 25.5 miles, 160°F ATF
60 minutes, 40.9 miles, 177°F ATF
75 minutes, 55.8 miles, 174°F ATF
90 minutes, 67.3 miles, 193°F ATF
105 minutes, 76.8 miles, 207°F ATF
120 minutes, 85.7 miles, 208°F ATF

On a different day with 70°F ambient temps, I took my truck out for a drive after it had been sitting for a few hours and recorded the following results. The engine and trans were still warm from the previous drive when I started this trip.

Mile 0: ECT 118°F, ATF 100°F
Mile 15: ECT 180°F, ATF 164°F, 70-75mph on the highway in 10th gear
Mile 30: ECT 172°F, ATF 177°F, 70-75mph on the highway in 10th gear
Mile 45: ECT 180°F, ATF 188°F, 70-75mph on the highway in 10th gear
Mile 60: ECT 167°F, ATF 201°F, 70-75mph on the highway in 10th gear
Mile 75: ECT 185°F, ATF 210°F, spirited stop and go driving

 

[Pcabe5]

@SALEEN961 , I wonder if the cooler design change to the side of the transmission housing makes a difference because mine won't climb above 190°F under normal driving. Last summer I watched what it did and that was pretty much where it stayed.

 

[Pcabe5]

most of engineering and the chemistry is actually built around that temp.

I've read these statements on here multiple times but I've never seen any data to support. Do you happen to have some that you could share?

 

[F150Q8]

Most of you guys are living in USA so you don't suffer from tranny heat unless towing or loading and going uphill, but I live in the officially the hottest city of the world (Kuwait City) so normal driving during hot summer months ( late May til September) I get crazy tranny temps under normal driving even if it's mostly highway.

The dealership is happy about it because it causes tranny damages and then you go and pay thousands to rebuild or fix.

Anyway, thanks guy for your suggestions and help and will keep you updated during hot summer days.

 

[Aonarch]

+1 to upgrading to Raptor coolers.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Most of you guys are living in USA so you don't suffer from tranny heat unless towing or loading and going uphill, but I live in the officially the hottest city of the world (Kuwait City) so normal driving during hot summer months ( late May til September) I get crazy tranny temps under normal driving even if it's mostly highway.

The dealership is happy about it because it causes tranny damages and then you go and pay thousands to rebuild or fix.

Anyway, thanks guy for your suggestions and help and will keep you updated during hot summer days.

Been there a few times……it does get a tad bit toasty.

Sounds like it’s time for an additional trans cooler.

 

[blazef150]

In the industrial sector plate liquid to liquid heat exchanges are one of the best solutions for temperature control, very efficient. Remember when changing thermostat temperature you are not changing cooling capacity unless it offers less restriction of coolant flow. When the thermostat is fully open you will be in the same boat as before. Could possibly cause stock engine tune problems too with lower coolant operating temp. With EFI its usally advisable to do a tune when lower thermostat temperature. Ford increases the radiator cooling capacity for the HD towing package and not the standard tow package on the 5.0l. The transmission has the same heat exchanger HD tow or not 5.0l.

 

[Snakebitten]

I've read these statements on here multiple times but I've never seen any data to support. Do you happen to have some that you could share?

Tons of information out there regarding today's operating temperatures. I can grab some links for ya.

But one supporting claim for the 10r80 designed to operate at 200+F is the factory service manual procedure for checking fluid level. It calls for checking it at 206-215F.

 

[F150Q8]

Just to keep you guys updated about my case. Today I installed spd 170 thermostat. Engine temp run between 175 to 185 and also the tranny temp went max to 195, it was going up to 215 during this time of the year (air temp 60-75). So the thermostat helped out lowering both my engine and tranny temps. During summer the AC will be running so the fan will also be running for the AC refrigerant, which also helps cooling the radiator. Therefore I can see the summer temps will be fine while fans are running.

Another update since today is the first day I started up my car while it was cold sitting all night long.

1- Engine temp 175-195 depends on highway or traffic jam.
2- Tranny temp never went more than 185.

I'm glad about the 170 thermostat outcome and I'm sure it will help out my truck more during the hot summer while AC and radiator fans will be running.

Guys even if the manufacturer says 215 is a normal temp and I pass it during summer months, keep in your mind heat kills.. heat melts... heat is very bad thing especially for your tranny. Otherwise they wouldn't offer towing package with larger cooler etc.

Ask yourself, If someone drives his truck in a snowy area where he never reaches 215 or 200 does he get as many problems as some one drives in a very hot country or towing? Hope its clear

Sponsored