Differential temp.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
What temperature have you observed??
Larry
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,550
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From: Richmond VA
I haven't put an IR gun to it but I can't hold my hand on it. I have around 700 miles on a new rebuild. Everything about the rebuild looked great when I put it back in the car.
Race Director
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From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
I would suggest 30-40 degrees above ambient.
You have engine heat from under the car,and some internal friction.
How hot is say the middle of the axle housing between the pumpkin and wheel bearings,a nd how hot is teh frame just behind the rear trans mount, for comparison?
Burning your hand is different than not being able to hold your hand on it for more than a few seconds. Burning, would indicate a problem.
Doug
You have engine heat from under the car,and some internal friction.
How hot is say the middle of the axle housing between the pumpkin and wheel bearings,a nd how hot is teh frame just behind the rear trans mount, for comparison?
Burning your hand is different than not being able to hold your hand on it for more than a few seconds. Burning, would indicate a problem.
Doug
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From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Wilton Ca.
With AZDoug. I would think ambient temps, under car heat plus asphalt heat would all be factors. How hot was it the day you checked it? I'd be tempted to drive it around for a bit in the evening when it's cooler and then check to see if it still seems too hot. I think I'd also remove the plug just to double check the level and smell the fluid.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 652
From: Richmond VA
Finally had a chance to recheck temp. I drove the car a couple hundred miles today and checked the differential temp. with the IR gun, several times. The temp. on the differential is 148 degrees. The temp. drops to 135 at the start of the axle housing and continues to drop as you get toward the wheel. The differential is full and the lube is clean with no burnt smell. So, is this normal or am I running too hot? Any thoughts?
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From: northern california
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In my opinion, 148 degrees isn't anything to worry about. The lube in your differential is good for much higher temperature than that.
In my Grand Sport (see avatar), under racing conditions, I'll see 200 - 220 (gauge mounted on the dash), depending on the track, the ambient temperature, and what differential I'm running that day. (I've got one diff which is built a little on the tight side.... it'll hit 220 before my "loose" diff will.)
Jim
In my Grand Sport (see avatar), under racing conditions, I'll see 200 - 220 (gauge mounted on the dash), depending on the track, the ambient temperature, and what differential I'm running that day. (I've got one diff which is built a little on the tight side.... it'll hit 220 before my "loose" diff will.)
Jim