Auto Transmission Temp..?

[nascar03]

We drove our 2003 Corvette e/w an automatic transmission into the BC Interior(Summerland) earlier this week.
I always monitor the transmission temperature on the drives as there are major elevation changes on the Coquihala highway. If you haven't driven a highway like 'The Coke' then you won't believe how long the hills are.
Fun to drive but truckers find it tough on their equipment. The posted speed is 120kms/hr
I notice that the tranny temp normally runs approx. 89-91C, and after some spirited driving it may run 90-92C. When I started running up the hills it climbed in excess of 100C, reaching 102C at one point..!!!
I then changed my 'pace' a bit to see if it would cool down. Coming down the big hills it, as expected, cooled right down again to below 90C.
I'm concerned about damage knowing that heat is an enemy... What do you think the running temperature would be.? Any thoughts.
The water and oil temps run right were I expect...usually slightly less than trans temp.. no issues.
I usually monitor the coolent temp in my HUD and the trans temp in the DIC in the dash.
Any other C5 or C6 people experience this rise in tranny temp.
thanx
graham

 

[CCO]

I didn't like the warm temps on my GS some time back and had a tranny cooler installed to keep it a little cooler.
As you say Graham, high temps are the trans' worst enemy.
I think a cooler is cheap insurance.

As far as temps, my GS ran normally around 90C. With spirited driving it would climb to over 100C

 

[nascar03]

Colin..
I thought the car had a trans cooler already?.. I never checked, I just assumed.!
I'm going to look into a cooler, 'cause spirited driving sometimes occurs.
I think I might get the trans flushed soon.
There is no strange cooked smell or anything but the temp just seemed high.
thanx
graham

 

[Black 03 Z06]

As you have already considered maybe changing the trans fluid a little earlier would be money well spent. I would not think you have anything to be concerned about though.

 

[CCO]

Colin..
I thought the car had a trans cooler already?.. I never checked, I just assumed.!
I'm going to look into a cooler, 'cause spirited driving sometimes occurs.
I think I might get the trans flushed soon.
There is no strange cooked smell or anything but the temp just seemed high.
thanx
graham

I had Manny put one on my GS when new.....no cooler on mine. (2011).
You'd know if your oil is cooking or not by the brown (burnt) colour.

I doubt 100C would do any damage but a cooler would be prudent as well as a flush unless you know that it's just been done.

Cheers

Colin.

 

[buckhorn76]

Colin..
I thought the car had a trans cooler already?.. I never checked, I just assumed.!
I'm going to look into a cooler, 'cause spirited driving sometimes occurs.
I think I might get the trans flushed soon.
There is no strange cooked smell or anything but the temp just seemed high.
thanx
graham

graham, do NOT get the trans power flushed. power flushing can do damage and blow out seals as well. my advice is merely change the fluid.

 

[nascar03]

Doug...
Thanx for the warning.
I have read about possible seal damage doing a tranny power flush.
I have also heard that it can also move contaminants into other places in the tranny.
You are correct, maybe a drain and fill is the way to go.
In reading other information it appears that 100C is not excessive...So I'm not as concerned as before.

Thanx everyone.
Graham

 

[Shayne]

I have a c6 running the same temps. I plan on a oil and filter change as well as adding a cooler. Discovered during some aticross lessons that it didn't want to shift up after some spirited turns

 

[nascar03]

BN.. Thanx for your feedback.
Yesterday we drove 1100kms thru the Rockies and didn't have any issues.
Normal around 90C, spirited uphill driving got to 100C....
It cooled down quite easily.

Thanx
Graham

 

[New C5er]

Graham, although I have a six speed manual in mine you would never catch me on the Coke in any type of car. On the subject of temperature, did your water temp fluctuate quite a bit or not at all?

 

[nascar03]

Graham, although I have a six speed manual in mine you would never catch me on the Coke in any type of car. On the subject of temperature, did your water temp fluctuate quite a bit or not at all?

Hi Al.
What's wrong with the Coquihala Hwy? My kids and grandkidlets live in the BC Interior and Edmonton, Alta..
The 'Coke' is the way to go to save time. The Hope-Princeton route is way more driving fun but adds an hour.
The water temp fluctuated as well but it did not climb as fast as the trans temperature.

We just returned from Edmonton last Friday.....We had to take the Fraser Canyon route home as the 'Coke' was closed both ways due to forest fires in this hot season.
The trip was 1298 KMs from Tofield, Alta to Langley, BC. With the 'date' and the dog(DELCO the Wonder Poodle) in the passenger side!,..
It was a great drive, top down the whole way in 34-37C heat! the Fraser Canyon was a blast to drive.
Here's a shot taken in Jasper Natl Park on the way home.

The transmission got up to 104C at one point but cooled down soon after.
I read in the owners manual that the Trans Temp Warning comes on at 132C and the book recommends you wait until it is below 110C before proceeding.
So 102-104C is probably not excessive heat.

thanx
graham

 

[New C5er]

Hi Graham, I am, by no means telling you what to do or what is better for your car. Am just a fusspot with mine and only mine. My neighbour has 200,000 km on his plugs and says the car runs like the day he bought it still etc. I am just so old fashioned even with my newer cars that a lot people ask me why do that and that already etc. My last car had 450,000km and never failed aircare. Lost it in an accident.
Al.......
Hope you are having a fun Vette etc. summer. Can even breathe or see too far here with all the smog from the forest fires. Beautiful picture of your car against a beautiful backdrop.

.