Cooling down a tranny

**AlaskanEngineer** · #1 (**permalink**) 04-15-2009, 10:07 AM

Fishing for information here... planning on doing some heavy towing in the near future - was always taught that when an auto tranny starts to overheat to back off, pull over ASAP, and stick the shifter in neutral and wait with engine idling until the temps come back down-- basically trying to circulate the fluid as much as possible. I have met a few folks who just pull over and put it in park with engine idling, but I was taught to use neutral and wondering what the difference is. Also I know of at least one friend who insists on just shutting down the engine and letting it all sit... I see that as potentially catastrophic for any fluid trapped in an exceptionally hot passage...

Comments? Suggestions? Support? Disdain?

Note I am aware of the benefits of and will be replacing my 7.3 tranny cooler with one from a 6.0 beforehand, but the question still stands on what to do once its too hot.

**Dirk** · #2 (**permalink**) 04-15-2009, 10:24 AM

First off, get the 6.0 cooler. Good choice.

I would start backing off around 190ish. Once it hits 210, pull over and let it idle a bit to cool the engine/trans. Idle in park/neutral. Either will be OK. I usually cycle the gears after 5 min.

66Bronco · #3 (**permalink**) 04-15-2009, 10:38 AM

Drive a stick!

**Dirk** · #4 (**permalink**) 04-15-2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66Bronco

Drive a stick!

Properly cooled/built auto will run/pull circles around a standard.

Tony V · #5 (**permalink**) 04-15-2009, 10:42 AM

I was just about to say that.

**AlaskanEngineer** · #6 (**permalink**) 04-15-2009, 11:51 AM

Lets try to stay on topic here... as the person who started the thread I feel I have some responsibility to speak up and say that this is not the place for a stick vs auto thread, but rather for everyone that drives autos to know how best to cool them off when overheating. I particularly wondered if there was any benefit to idling in neutral vs park, thanks Dirk for your quick and on topic response. Much appreciated.

dmd · #7 (**permalink**) 04-15-2009, 07:57 PM

PSD fords run the trans pump all the time. There were/are some trans that only
run the pump if in gear or neutral, those need to be in N when cooling
the trans.