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06-29-2014, 03:23 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Delaware
Posts: 13
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High trans temps - Culprit found!
I knew that I was running abnormally high trans temps and tried a couple of things including installing a trans cooling pan and going to synthetic fluid. The improvement was marginal. On our current trip to Montana, I pulled into the Chevy dealer's service dept in Pipestone, MN. While discussing additional options (including an auxiliary trans cooler), one of the mechanics sauntered up and said, "I bet if you removed the after-market billet grill inserts, you would solve the problem. I pull a camper with my pickup and had to remove the grill inserts. Made a big difference as the inserts cut air flow by approx 50%."
You could have knocked me over with a feather.
Needless to say, I immediately had the after-market billet grill inserts removed. The grill inserts removed were horizontal chrome pieces; one in the upper section and one in the lower section (above and below the Chevrolet badge). Interesting how no one (including my own mechanic) had realized that the grill inserts would dramatically reduce air flow to the radiator. I also had an after-market auxiliary trans cooler installed on the theory that you can never have too low of a trans temp. Together, these actions have eliminated my high trans temp problem. I was running about 240 -250 degrees towing with a strong head wind or upgrade. A few times, I hit 275. I now run about 210 – 220. On the flatland, I currently run about 180: 190 if a hot day. Previously, I was running about 220.
Oh, the trials and tribulations of a newbie!
__________________
2013 Premier 30REPR
Reese Dual Cam
2006 Chevy Express 3500 conversion van 6.0L 3.73x, Power Stop drilled & slotted rotors & semi-met pads, Bilsteins, Derale tranny pan cooler w/synthetic.
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06-29-2014, 03:35 PM
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#2
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Delaware
Posts: 13
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Forgot the photo
I forgot to attach the 'After' photo
__________________
2013 Premier 30REPR
Reese Dual Cam
2006 Chevy Express 3500 conversion van 6.0L 3.73x, Power Stop drilled & slotted rotors & semi-met pads, Bilsteins, Derale tranny pan cooler w/synthetic.
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06-29-2014, 03:59 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Fruitland
Posts: 3,357
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That's good news. Sounds like you will not have tranny temp issuses any longer.
__________________
2013 24RKSWE (27ft TT) Cougar 1/2 ton series SOLD 10-2021
2013 Ford F350 4x4 CC 6.7 engine, 8 ft bed, 3.55 rear end, lariat package
Retired from Oregon State Police in 2011 than worked another 9.5 years as a small town traffic cop:
As of 05-2020, I am all done with 39 years total police work. No more uniforms for me.
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06-29-2014, 05:55 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Airdrie, Alberta
Posts: 552
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Interesting. Was the spacing between the billet bars that small? Surprising that the stock hex grille is OK but the billet was not.
Will keep that in mind.
__________________
2013 Passport 3220BHWE, upgrade axles, Kumho Radial 857's, all LED, TST507 TPMS, Reese DCSC, DIY corner stabilizers
2012 Ram 1500 Sport crew cab, Hemi, 4x4, 3.92 LSD, factory brake controller, S&B CAI w/scoop, Moroso air/oil can, 87mm ported/polished/knife-edged throttle body, Magnaflow exhaust, 180* t-stat, Rear lowered 2", Airlift 1000.
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06-29-2014, 06:12 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Delaware
Posts: 13
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spacing
Quote:
Originally Posted by audio1der
Interesting. Was the spacing between the billet bars that small? Surprising that the stock hex grille is OK but the billet was not.
Will keep that in mind.
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Spacing between the billet bars (slats, actually) is only 1/4". Sure feel like a ditz for not noticing that restriction sooner.
__________________
2013 Premier 30REPR
Reese Dual Cam
2006 Chevy Express 3500 conversion van 6.0L 3.73x, Power Stop drilled & slotted rotors & semi-met pads, Bilsteins, Derale tranny pan cooler w/synthetic.
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06-29-2014, 06:34 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Okanagan, BC
Posts: 916
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Had one similar ice up on me one winter and send my temps up. Just driving, not towing. Don't like them at all.
__________________
2010 Cougar 30RKS
2015 GMC Sierra Max Trailer
"Drinks for 6, Dinner for 4, Sleeps 2"
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06-29-2014, 07:42 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Arrey,
Posts: 2,368
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Howdy All;
Don't know about ya'll, but, I'd get all choked up if I couldn't breath too.
hankaye
__________________
Striving for a less complicated life since 1949 ...
Home: 2008 Cougar 278 RKS
T.V.: 2004 F-250 4X4, Level III BulletProofed , Detroit Tru-Track Differential (915A550)
Dog: 2006 Border Collie (Rascal) aka Maximum fur dispersal unit. (08/04/2006 - 12/16/2017) RIP.
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06-30-2014, 05:53 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Vernon
Posts: 330
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I took the billet grill off mine after the 1st trip due to higher engine and trans temps. I did some calculating of the surface area between the stock and billet grill and found that the air flow was reduced by 40% also don't forget that on the diesels the Intercooler needs all the air it can get or power is reduced
__________________
2013 Cougar 331MKS
2007 GMC 3500 Sierra Duramax
RideRite air bags
Mor/Ryde XFactor and Wet Bolts
1982 BMW R100
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06-30-2014, 02:34 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 2,910
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I just happened to read the owner's manual after buying our rig a couple years ago, and there is actually a warning in the manual to add nothing in front of the cooler, as full air flow is critical to maintain cooler operation.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402 Montana
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC
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07-01-2014, 12:59 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,997
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It's the same issue with the F150 EcoBoost. The "V-8's" have the front license plate in the center of the bumper, the EcoBoost has it mounted on the driver's side next to the "ram air" for the intercooler/radiator. There's a caution not to obstruct the cooling air intake. On many of the forums, in 2011 (first year) there were a lot of new owners looking for ways to "blend" that gaping hole to make it look better. There was a lot of "expressed frustration" in not being able to just mount a billet grill in the hole.
Some people have learned that even putting a bicycle on a rack "up front" will disrupt airflow enough to cause overheating problems.
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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07-01-2014, 01:24 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 65
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Hubby has a dodge with an aftermarket grill inserts also and his temps run really high with all the mountain travelling. He almost ordered a cooler just his week, then decided to take 2 of the 4 inserts out and didn't have a problem. Our next trip is up a high mountain pass (also our new Fuzion is a lot heavier than our wildwood was) so he'll take out the other two inserts and not have to spend the $$$ on the cooler.
__________________
2018 417 Fuzion
1998 FL 90 Freightliner
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