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Still need HELP!

bombo

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City, State
GreenMtn's
Year, Model & Trim Level
01 Sport trac
I called Ford Motor Company and asked what should the running temp and what should a high temperature be at its highest before being a danger.
I called two times and waited for a return call. N waited and still waiting.
I have a 01 Ford Explorer Sport trac 4.0l
I'm the 2nd owner and it looks like there is a extra cooler in front of the radiator. We took our camper on a test run its about 3500 lbs. and the temps got up to 218t going up a hill from 850 + - to about 2000 ft. other then that we ran around 180ts. Thinking of adding a new cooler to the old one.
I got the temps on a scan gauge that I just got.

Any ideas from anyone on what else I should do
 



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1. Is that "about 3500 lbs" the dry sticker weight, or the estimated loaded weight?
2. Do you have the HD towing package?
 






Reply to the brakeman

1. Is that "about 3500 lbs" the dry sticker weight, or the estimated loaded weight?
2. Do you have the HD towing package?

It is dry weight. Only two people and two dogs. Maybe grandchildren at times.
I have a III hitch there is a 5 x 9 trans cooler in front of rad and a new anti sway system. I went to a tranny fix'em shop today asking him and he mention the extra cooler wont really help nor is there a better train I could have put in.
As far as he says the temp should run around 180 about the same as the engine. Not really any help. Maybe I should think of a newer tow vehicle?
hoping you have some better ideas to point at for me. Besides winning the lottery! lol

thanks for the reply n help
 






Originally Posted by thebrakeman View Post
1. Is that "about 3500 lbs" the dry sticker weight, or the estimated loaded weight?
2. Do you have the HD towing package?

It is dry weight. Only two people and two dogs. Maybe grandchildren at times.
I have a III hitch there is a 5 x 9 trans cooler in front of rad and a new anti sway system. I went to a tranny fix'em shop today asking him and he mention the extra cooler wont really help nor is there a better train I could have put in.
As far as he says the temp should run around 180 about the same as the engine. Not really any help. Maybe I should think of a newer tow vehicle?
hoping you have some better ideas to point at for me. Besides winning the lottery! lol

thanks for the reply n help
 






It's not abnormal for the engine to run hotter when pulling on a hill. It's not going to hurt anything to run it at 218 degrees.

You may think 218 deg is over the boiling point. It's not due to the pressurized cooling system.

"Straight water at atmospheric pressure boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. A mix of 50/50 coolant and water boils at around 220 degrees. That same mix at 16 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure boils at approximately 250 degrees. And the boiling point increases 2-3 degrees for each additional psi of pressure in the system."

post-3163-1202190784.jpg
 






I think he's referring to the transmission temp getting that high. It does seem a little on the high side for the transmission to me, but I'm no expert!
 






yes I'm talking about the transmission Temps
 






The chart above addresses tranny temps.

Varnish begins to form at 220 degrees and you are just below that. Change to Mobil 1 synthetic tranny fluid and that temp will raise some giving you a bit of extra cushion.

You aren't going to see low tranny temps while towing up hills in anything that doesn't have a huge cooler.
 






Trans cooler

Here is what ford sent me.

Tier 1 Email - CRCFMC <crcfmc@ford.com>

5:21 PM (18 hours ago)

to me

Hello Leonard,

Thank you for your patience while we researched your recent inquiry about the running temperature of the transmission oil on your 2001 Ford Explorer. This is a follow-up message, as we have further information in regards to this matter that we wish to apprise you of.

According to our resources the normal range of the temperature of your vehicle’s transmission oil is 150 to 170 degrees.

Thank you for contacting Ford Motor Company.
Sincerely,
Kimberly
Customer Relationship Center

Ford Motor Company

What would be the best Trans cooler be? Is there any bad effects to having a cooler living and driving in the Vermont winters?
I already have a 9 by 5 cooler what should I add to this?? any ideas
 






You don't want to run a big cooler in the winter unless there is a thermostatically controlled valve inline which would allows the transmission to reach normal operating temperature.

This search on Amazon brought up a typical range of coolers. From small and cheap, to large fan equipped models that are more expensive. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...n+coolers,aps&rh=i:aps,k:transmission coolers

I have a large cooler with an auxiliary fan on my racecar and the temps still exceed 200degs after a 1/4 mile run.

IMO Achieving the "normal" operating temps while towing on hills will be very difficult. There's a reason passenger cars are never equipped with temp gauges from the factory... People would freak if they saw the temps and compared them with "optimal" operating ranges.
 






It is dry weight. Only two people and two dogs. Maybe grandchildren at times.
thanks for the reply n help
Actual weight is not simply the dry weight, plus 2 people, 2 dogs, and maybe 2 grandkids. Dry weight does not include any options installed at the factory, or the dealer, nor whatever you pack:
-AC unit?
-Furnace?
-Trailer battery?
-Propane tanks?
-Food?
-Water (at least in the hot water tank)?
-Chairs?
-Grill?
-Clothes?

Minimum estimates for weight over dry weight is always 600 lbs. Conservative estimate for planning is 1000 lbs.
 






You don't want to run a big cooler in the winter unless there is a thermostatically controlled valve inline which would allows the transmission to reach normal operating temperature.

This search on Amazon brought up a typical range of coolers. From small and cheap, to large fan equipped models that are more expensive. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...n+coolers,aps&rh=i:aps,k:transmission coolers

I have a large cooler with an auxiliary fan on my racecar and the temps still exceed 200degs after a 1/4 mile run.

IMO Achieving the "normal" operating temps while towing on hills will be very difficult. There's a reason passenger cars are never equipped with temp gauges from the factory... People would freak if they saw the temps and compared them with "optimal" operating ranges.

IIRC, the 01 explorers have a thermostatic valve in the transmission that won't let the fluid out to the cooler until it gets hot enough. IF this trans has that (I'm 90% sure it does) then a really big cooler won't hurt since the trans will keep the fluid out of the coolers until it gets hot enough.

~Mark
 






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