Transmission temp gauge question

[James909]

I just installed an auxiliary transmission filter with a temperature gauge. I installed the filter and sender after the fluid comes from the radiator but before my 2 coolers. Is this an OK placement for the temp sender? I installed the gauge to keep an eye on temps when towing. But now I'm wondering if I should have put the sender before the radiator, because I'm afraid the gauge may not be accurate because it is reading the cooled fluid. I installed the filter here because I didn't want to cut any hard lines, and this way I just used the rubber lines before the coolers. The gauge reads about 140F around town and about 130F on the highway. Should I bother moving the filter? It just seems like it will be a lot more work to place the filter before the radiator and I also am a little bit afraid of cutting the metal lines. Honestly I won't pay much attention to the gauge during normal driving I just need it to warn me if the temps are getting too hot when towing. So what does everyone think, should I leave it alone or move it?

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I wouldn't move the filter, I have an in line filter on my rubber hoses before the aux cooler. I think you'll be OK like it is. Wise choice installing the filter and cooler, it will certainly help the life of your transmission.

 

[BrooklynBay]

It's not accurate with such a low temperature being displayed. Check # 8 in my list of useful threads for more information.

 

[James909]

Thanks, I figured that the gauge is reading a little cool because it is after the radiator. That doesn't really bother me but do you think if the transmission starts to get hot that the gauge will read hot or will it just stay the same because the hot fluid is being cooled before the temperature sender? Basically, do you think that where it is it will give me enough warning if the transmission is running too hot even though it is after the radiator? I just need to know if the transmission gets really hot so that I can pull over.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Why not relocate the sending unit to the pan?

 

[James909]

I thought about doing that before adding the external filter, but first I spoke to a local transmission specialist and he said that he has never seen a pan mounted sender that didn't leak.

 

[BrooklynBay]

That's because of the way the fit all drain plugs are made. Check # 75 in my list of useful threads for more information: http://explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206353

 

[James909]

Why not relocate the sending unit to the pan?

Maybe I will do this eventually but not now because I just did an engine powered flush and put in Mobil 1. That stuff is too expensive to buy more in order to drop the pan. But today when I was driving the Ex the temp gauge started going crazy, checked all the connections though and they seem OK. And the gauge is acting normally again now, it actually reads about 165 most of the time which seems to be more accurate but I don't know after the little fit it had. When the gauge was acting up though it really scared me because I looked down and it was pinned at 320 . Then after that for a few minutes it was jumping all over the place. Well it seems OK for now but if it does it again than I guess I will have to investigate further. Well thanks everyone for the suggestions, it is appreciated.