Keeping coolant and transmission temps under control when towing in the summer heat

[Geotrash]

Just foolin’ around..

Yeah, I figured. I added that bit because I realized that there wasn’t any context on the request for a couple of pages back in case folks were trying to follow.

 

[wsteele]

..

 

[RED TAHOE LS]

Don't forget the basic's , the thermostat controls the coolant temp. Make sure your clutch fan works on COLD start as well as the higher engine temp, often overlooked.
At 226k, my clutch fan is OEM and flawless.

 

[Geotrash]

Don't forget the basic's , the thermostat controls the coolant temp. Make sure your clutch fan works on COLD start as well as the higher engine temp, often overlooked.
At 226k, my clutch fan is OEM and flawless.

This generation of trucks uses electric fans, for better or worse. I will say that the motors are remarkably reliable and durable.

 

[alpha_omega]

Do you guys know of others needing to replace them and/or how often the coolant temp sensors need to be replaced?
Is it at random or are they known to fail after a certain time so being proactive with preventative maintenance/replacements is better than reactive after the fact.

 

[Doubeleive]

Do you guys know of others needing to replace them and/or how often the coolant temp sensors need to be replaced?
Is it at random or are they known to fail after a certain time so being proactive with preventative maintenance/replacements is better than reactive after the fact.

pretty rare I think, the cluster is usually the culprit in most cases. It's not a mechanical switch so less prone to failure, if it's suspect then do a ohm test and I have no idea offhand what it should read.

 

[Geotrash]

Pulled the camper up and over the blue ridge to Huntington, WV. Day 1 was a success. 92° when we left Richmond. Hottest transmission temp I saw was 237° after a long 7% climb, and it came down quickly once we crested the hill. Coolant got up to 3/4 on the gauge twice, and came right back down with no change in the climb. I have to think it’s those fans kicking up to high that does it.

 

[Tozan]

So have we come up with a consensus of where to install a secondary cooler before or after the radiator?

 

[Foggy]

Secondary/ Aux Trans Cooler NOT in front of the radiator is what has worked the best
to keep engine coolant temps under control. IF you are just concerned about
trans temps, then any aux cooler mounted anywhere is fine.
In my case, once I took out the OEM trans Aux cooler my temps were better, but I have
an intercooler located front/1st, so hot air was getting to the trans cooler.
SO I installed a derale remote aux cooler with a fan (on a switch) down under.
I also tow a big camper and have the supercharger which create a crapload of BTU's

 

[Tozan]

Sorry, I was not being clear enough in my other post...

What I wanted to know is. What is best plumbing wise oil going through stock radiator cooler then to aux cooler or the other way around?

Also what are the inlet and outlet lines on the radiator trans cooler?