Standard Operating Temperatures for 4L60E
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 596
Likes: 1
Standard Operating Temperatures for 4L60E
I would like to get some real world feedback from anyone running a 1999+ GM 4L60E tranny. I've done a lot of research throughout the internet and I think I have a problem.
1/ I'm on my third tranny in 70K
2/ Both were heat damaged
3/ Dealer had no explanation.
In preparation for towing my vette to the track I am trying to make my truck a working operation. I don't want tow vehicle problems to spoil my track days.
Vehicle in question- 2003 Chevy Silverado 1500 Ext cab 4x4
4L60E with liquid/radiator cooler and 4"x10" air cooler up front.
This week, out of a need to know, I installled a Summit aluminum pan with +3 qt capacity. I tapped it and put an Autometer trans. temp gauge on the dash. After 10-15 minutes of easy driving with no load I was reading 225-250 degrees. That's with a 40 degree ambient temp and 40-45 mph.
The brown truck came again with a perma-cool 30,000 GVW HD trans cooler. I plumbed that up in place of the little stock unit up front.
After 10-15 minutes-same temps. gauge stays at or above 250 degrees!
I'm kinda hoping for 175-195 normal ops ( I think)?? Or is this now the norm?
Does the computer control the fluid flow in these units, or is it still a mechanical funtion?
1/ I'm on my third tranny in 70K
2/ Both were heat damaged
3/ Dealer had no explanation.
In preparation for towing my vette to the track I am trying to make my truck a working operation. I don't want tow vehicle problems to spoil my track days.
Vehicle in question- 2003 Chevy Silverado 1500 Ext cab 4x4
4L60E with liquid/radiator cooler and 4"x10" air cooler up front.
This week, out of a need to know, I installled a Summit aluminum pan with +3 qt capacity. I tapped it and put an Autometer trans. temp gauge on the dash. After 10-15 minutes of easy driving with no load I was reading 225-250 degrees. That's with a 40 degree ambient temp and 40-45 mph.
The brown truck came again with a perma-cool 30,000 GVW HD trans cooler. I plumbed that up in place of the little stock unit up front.
After 10-15 minutes-same temps. gauge stays at or above 250 degrees!
I'm kinda hoping for 175-195 normal ops ( I think)?? Or is this now the norm?
Does the computer control the fluid flow in these units, or is it still a mechanical funtion?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
40 ambient and no load you should not be near that hot, something is wrong. TCC not locking up, something in there slipping, heat is coming from somewhere. Thats the computer controlled unit right? you need to check the cables going to the tranny and figure out if the TCC is getting a lock signal
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 2
From: MS
Radiator cooler could be plugged and/or your tranny oil cooler lines and/or pump could be restricted. Disconnect the cooler inlet line and check for flow. Bypass the factory cooler and discard your current cooler and install the 28K GVWR cooler #4590 from TruCool in it's place. This should be all you need but check the oil flow output first. When the previous tranny failed, the radiator cooler could have become plugged with debris.
http://www.tsscoolers.com/
http://www.tsscoolers.com/
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I"m told anything over 180f is death to the tranny, this is pan oil temps....
you have an obvious problem....
also, I'm not a fan of anything to do with a 700 r4 design which the 4L60e is the electronic version.....there is an achilles heel over the design, it's the 3/4 clutch pack....terminal....
look at the sites from the pros on the problems, and some of the recommended/available fixes for the problem, there are literally dozens....
which add up to ME meaning it's got a design flaw that can't be fixed....
you have an obvious problem....
also, I'm not a fan of anything to do with a 700 r4 design which the 4L60e is the electronic version.....there is an achilles heel over the design, it's the 3/4 clutch pack....terminal....
look at the sites from the pros on the problems, and some of the recommended/available fixes for the problem, there are literally dozens....
which add up to ME meaning it's got a design flaw that can't be fixed....
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 596
Likes: 1
I have spent hours (that I don't have) searching the web on this subject. The 3/4 shift is well documented. However, I don't think my troubles come from the tranny. I NEED a baseline to start. What do your Denalis, Escalades, and trucks with gauges read on your daily travels?
All I can get is, " run vehicle until tranny reaches normal operating temp." THAT's HELPFUL!!!
All I can get is, " run vehicle until tranny reaches normal operating temp." THAT's HELPFUL!!!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 596
Likes: 1
I have spent hours (that I don't have) searching the web on this subject. The 3/4 shift is well documented. However, I don't think my troubles come from the tranny. I NEED a baseline to start. What do your Denalis, Escalades, and trucks with gauges read on your daily travels?
All I can get is, " run vehicle until tranny reaches normal operating temp." THAT's HELPFUL!!!
These trannys are pretty well proven. But if my computer is running it at 250+ around town, its no surprise it cooks at 30K!
All I can get is, " run vehicle until tranny reaches normal operating temp." THAT's HELPFUL!!!
These trannys are pretty well proven. But if my computer is running it at 250+ around town, its no surprise it cooks at 30K!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
From what I read, I"m surprised at 30k miles for that kind of temps....but i"m no expert....I have read not over 180f for pan temps....my 700 ran over 210 and that is with a fairly large inline cooler along with radiator cooling....so that means to ME, ditch the unit the 3/4 clutch pack is running way to hot....judging from the claims of inadequate oil circulation and seeing the clutches I pulled out of there all burnt up, along with 2/4 band overheated....I have to say it was a problem....
course the shift kit I had in it was done by the builder, ten years ago, and was not a Trans Go shift kit....over the years I have had a lot of GOOD luck with Trans Go kits, and not so much so for others....
I tossed the towel, being unhappy with that 1-2 shift rpm drop making 1st gear nearly useless, and the propensity of it to downshift at ANY speed into 3rd gear and wind hell outta the engine ....
the 200 4r I use now don't do either of those sins....same cooling setup but in all fairness I don't know the operating temps, as weather is not hot enough yet to judge that....need 90f+ temps for that call....
after a freeway run, and stop/go traffic into the driveway....
tough test....
course the shift kit I had in it was done by the builder, ten years ago, and was not a Trans Go shift kit....over the years I have had a lot of GOOD luck with Trans Go kits, and not so much so for others....
I tossed the towel, being unhappy with that 1-2 shift rpm drop making 1st gear nearly useless, and the propensity of it to downshift at ANY speed into 3rd gear and wind hell outta the engine ....
the 200 4r I use now don't do either of those sins....same cooling setup but in all fairness I don't know the operating temps, as weather is not hot enough yet to judge that....need 90f+ temps for that call....
after a freeway run, and stop/go traffic into the driveway....
tough test....
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