High A4 transmission fluid temps?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,038
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina
High A4 transmission fluid temps?
My A4 transmission fluid is almost always above the boiling point...at least the boiling point of water. My temps are anywhere from 214 - 223 (quite regular) during around town and highway driving. It's always been this way (2 years) but I understand this is quite high. Anyone else have this problem or issue? Is it really a problem.
I change transmission fluid about every 25K....done it twice.
Oh...and most of my driving is rather tame compared to most on here....I go fast, but I am not, in my estimation, doing anything that should overwork the transmission.
Thanks.
I change transmission fluid about every 25K....done it twice.
Oh...and most of my driving is rather tame compared to most on here....I go fast, but I am not, in my estimation, doing anything that should overwork the transmission.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,038
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina
Originally Posted by todd@rpmtransmissions
We like to see them under 200 degrees.
I would love to ditch the A4 some day and buy one of your manual transmissions...can you give me a quick quote for the cost? Just thinking about it right now. Thanks for your response.
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 418
Likes: 5
From: Anderson Indiana
Mine never went over 200 with a 2800 PI converter with the stock cooler. I added the same cooler that we put on billiardcue's car and it stays under 200 with a 4000 PI. I haven't driven it much with the new converter. You may want to add a cooler even though it is stock.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 232
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by todd@rpmtransmissions
We like to see them under 200 degrees.
The CEL comes on around 258 (I know from experience)
Normal driving my tranny will be 147-185 depending on ambiant temps up to 107 degrees. This is with a 6x14 inch cooler, Dewitts radiator and 2400 TC
DH
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: IL
These damn A4's all run too hot, unless in Alaska!
My 03 A4 with the performance gearing had a transmission fluid leak problem when I bought it (no - I didn't know until I had signed the check! damn.). It only had 13,000 miles on it. After paying near to $1000 for repairs to seals, I didn't want this to happen again. So I started paying attention to the fluid temp. Seemed way too hot - often going up to 220 or higher in town. So I had my husband put on a B & M cooler. It has not gone over 200 since, although it has gotten close - 198 on a hot day when I was just going slow around town. For even better cooling, I should have got the cooler with the fan. But this is still much better than before. But Transmission shops say it would be even better to hold the temp at or below 175.
Now my husband bought another cooler (the same model) to put on our 01 A4 (standard gearing), because he noticed that it also gets way over 200 with in-town driving. These C5 automatics must all run too hot. Why would GM care, as long as the tranny lasts through the normal warranty period?
Now my husband bought another cooler (the same model) to put on our 01 A4 (standard gearing), because he noticed that it also gets way over 200 with in-town driving. These C5 automatics must all run too hot. Why would GM care, as long as the tranny lasts through the normal warranty period?
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
Originally Posted by todd@rpmtransmissions
We like to see them under 200 degrees.
Heat kills these A4 transmissions Get a cheap aftermarket tranny cooler for $50.00. Changing thermostat and fan settings also helps. Over 210 or 220 degrees is scary
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 994
Likes: 0
From: SCOTTSDALE AZ
St. Jude Donor '05
220+ here, high stall heads cam A4 ,ron davis radiator and b&m cooler , now looking at spal fan setup and evans waterless coolant(also have 160 t-stat) outside temp 105-113+ , in traffic those temps fwy driving still 180-195.
we shall see soon if the other stuff helps.
we shall see soon if the other stuff helps.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 0
From: charlotte nc
Hey Ryan,
I have a level 5 RPM 4l60E and you know my hp level. With the setrab cooler and An fittings, my tranny stays at 180 in stop and go traffic with 90* heat/humidity.
The cooler ran me about $460 installed with all the fittings/lines, but there no more More Performance!
I have a level 5 RPM 4l60E and you know my hp level. With the setrab cooler and An fittings, my tranny stays at 180 in stop and go traffic with 90* heat/humidity.
The cooler ran me about $460 installed with all the fittings/lines, but there no more More Performance!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,092
Likes: 1
From: I speak the truth. Harsh but accurate. The Woodlands Texas
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
I looked at mine on the way home yesterday. The outside temp was 101F
The transmission was reading 205-220. How hard are these things to put on? Any issues with the GM Warranty?
Thanks
Chris
The transmission was reading 205-220. How hard are these things to put on? Any issues with the GM Warranty?
Thanks
Chris
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
I got the basic B&M tranny cooler, and have found very little difference with that. Temps went down by 5*-10*. Whats up with the A4 temps. Wasn't Corvette made to run fast and handle stress? What's the whole point of buying a "Tough, fastest, American Legend" ?
What's the whole point of buying a "Tough, fastest, American Legend" ?
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 1
From: Littleton Colorado
I'm no expert, but I would not be real concerned unless you were going over 240 for a period of time. Maybe a little concerned if going over 230 regularly. I was going over that on the track so I got an auxilary trans cooler. It helped me keep it from hitting the alarms at the track, and a little cooler on the street. But, now I have coolant temp issues.
Also, the auto tanny has a cooler in the radiator. So, you will not see temps much lower than your coolant temp. If your coolant temps are on the high side, then it will heat your trans up.
Also, the auto tanny has a cooler in the radiator. So, you will not see temps much lower than your coolant temp. If your coolant temps are on the high side, then it will heat your trans up.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
Tranny cooler
Since the engine runs around 200 degrees and the radiator cools the tranny also you are going to have those kind of temps. Get a B&M super cooler(24,000), they come with all the needed fittings and hardware. Mine never gets over 190 now with a 3500 hi-stall.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 134
From: merritt island fl
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Is there a minimum temperature the A4 fluid should get to? What do you guys with coolers see in the winter?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
Originally Posted by tiojames
Since the engine runs around 200 degrees and the radiator cools the tranny also you are going to have those kind of temps. Get a B&M super cooler(24,000), they come with all the needed fittings and hardware. Mine never gets over 190 now with a 3500 hi-stall.