Trans at 260°F going uphill with only weight of truck

Hey guys,

I was driving my 2004 Double Cab 4x4 Tacoma uphill in this canyon yesterday at 30ish MPH. I was in 2Hi. It was about 60°F outside. The canyon pretty steep, so I was watching my transmission temp on my Ultragauge. I noticed it the temp reached up to about 260°F before getting to the top of the canyon. You could feel the warmth on the floor. I've read that the A/T temp light comes on around 302°F, but 260°F still seems absurd for only pulling the weight of the truck and two adults. I have just about 199k on the truck right now. I've never driven it up a hill like this during my ownership, nor have I seen it struggle so much. It felt like it was barely getting by. I don't even have larger tires.

I did a drain and fill a few months ago, only once. Just one drain and one refill. The old fluid wasn't black or anything. I used a Valvoline ATF that was recommended on here. IIRC I read it wouldn't be detrimental to mix the OEM stuff and the new stuff. I'm no expert, correct me if I am wrong. I probably would have done a full flush if somebody didn't say it would be fine.

I've also had this ticking noise in the cab that can only be heard from the drivers side. Nobody else has been able to hear it even when I ask. Usually ticks louder when the truck is up to temp. Related issue?

Should I look into getting a transmission cooler? More drain and fill?

Thanks!

 

A trans cooler sounds like a good idea in your case.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...l-toyotas-write-up-with-many-pictures.526283/

 

Did you manually downshift to keep it in a lower gear, or did you let it shift up and down constantly? 260 is a bit high, but if it was shifting back and forth a lot, that can generate some heat. 1st gens aren't known for their climbing power, especially at altitude.

As far as the ticking noise, I wouldn't worry about it being related. Maybe wait until tomorrow and post it in a separate thread and see what happens. Probably won't be helpful, but might be entertaining.

 

I kept it in a lower gear. I belive it was just in D with O/D off. It definitely wasn't jumping around a lot. I knew this could cause some heat because I've seen it at 212°F in stop and go traffic. I feel like even this is high, so I don't like to drive for prolonged periods above 200°F.

I've never ridden in a 1st gen before, so I wasn't sure if they just make this noise. It's been like it since I got the truck. My only other guess was an exhaust leak, but I threw it in here just in case.

 

If you can feel it on the floor, that's your engine not the trans

Worried though, get an external trans cooler. Lots of people do it


Ticking is probably your drivers side valve shims staring to get out of spec

 

Let me rephrase and clarify: It was hot if you put your hand on the carpet around the shifter area (drawing a blank on the name of that right now). I just meant floor as in carpet. Engine temps were fine around 190°F. The engine peaked at 199°F and not worried about it.

I'm going to check to see if I somehow overfilled my transmission in the morning. Is it better to check hot or cold? I tried filling it up as I was heating it up, so I could have very well screwed that up. I recall checking it afterwards when it was fully warmed up and it looked fine. Won't hurt to look that over again.

I will look into this. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

 

Fluid level would cause shifting issues long before temperature issues, don't think it's that...
Trans case maaaybe? Probably not

Trans fluid part of your radiator clogged?

I do think you might be overreacting here

Again heat on the floor is not just your trans. Most of the airflow over the engine takes the same path under the truck. Certain areas of my floor are always very warm after a decent drive

Btw ticking can also be pinging. You didn't specify how you were driving when you hear the ticking.

 

I still checked the level and it was way higher than it needed to be. Regarless if this was the root cause, I'll see if it helps.

I'll agree with you that I'm overreacting. I'd just prefer to play it safe.

I don't want to switch the subject of this thread, but it ticks more with higher RPMs. There's a point when the engine itself is louder than it. It most noticable around 2-2.5k RPMs. What could be pinging?

 

I wonder if the torque converter is supposed to be locked under those conditions. If I remember right they can generate some heat when unlocked

 

Ticking is probably the EVAP purge valve. Nothing wrong. Freaked me out to

 

By all means upgrade the transmission cooling by adding an aftermarket cooler inline with the factory one at the very least. I always suggest getting the largest cooler you can fit, and afford.

I have separated the transmission cooler from the engine cooling completely about 6 years ago, and it hasn't come close to being that high since, and I regularly pull a trailer through the Pacific Northwest mountain passes in the height of summer.

 

Chris is right it could be the EVAP system, I've heard that ticks on some people. Otherwise, try some 91 fuel and see if it goes away. If so, it's inside your engine

 

A trans cooler will definitly help. The debate over plumbing to the external cooler first then to the radiator cooler is just as bad as dino oil or synthetic.

If the 260* is a sustained temp then a fluid change more frequently is in order too.

 

Kuddos on the external cooler......using a single core radiator to cool a big ass engine....
and tiny bit of it reserved for the tranny..... you got to be kidding....

Its like the densos are like the starter cartridge you get with a printer...
they really can't be flushed.....they corrode to death...slowly degrading.



I hear the factory batteries are making a comeback too....





External cooler is a super easy install on these.....its probably time for new hoses anyway....
especially at those temps.

and stick one of these inline



If you want it to last a long time, you got to keep it cool

 

OP here you go!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hayden-transmission-oil-cooler-install.108470/