Overheating Torque Converter????

[korndogg]

Ok i took my car out today. (its still leakin tranny fluid from the dipstick but i just ordered a Lokar flex one). ne way...i drove it about 3 hours ago..and i just went under my car to check something and i put my hand on the torque converter and its still hot.. Is this normal? i have no idea.

[Chevyracincamaro]

torque converters get hella hot during operation, is my understanding...

[instantkevin]

well.. first of all your shouldn't be able to touch the torque converter, cause it's inside the housing. you probably touched the transmission where the converter is, and yes it can get hot as hell, especially if you are low on fluid. check the color of the fluid... if it is not still medium bright red you might have serious problems, it definitely shouldn't be black or very dark. 3 hours is a long time. I hope you're checking the fluid level when the car is running, not off. A seperate transmission oil cooler is always a good idea. $45 and easy to install yourself.

[korndogg]

ok kevin i thought u should know my situation so here it is.....i just swapped my tranny from the powerglide to the 700r4. i just filled the fluid before i went out even though some was leakin yet but i needed to check something so thats why i drove it. and yes i did touch the converter because i didnt put the plate on that bolts to the bottom part of the housing. this was the first time i actually drove the car with this tranny...

[instantkevin]

well...that's good stuff. I would still get a intercooler anyway... makes a huge difference and helps the life of the tranny. Did you leave the plate off specifically so that you could touch the converter? I imagine not too many people do that, so not too many people would know exactly how hot or how long the converter stays hot. I'm sure being in a closed area like that would help it remain hot. I do know that the get really fucking hot, though. Whatever that's worth to you.

[korndogg]

i left it off cause i didnt get one with the tranny. but i dont really need one neway. the fluid is goin through the radiator and another cooler infront of the radiator.

[GTStang]

Torque convertors get hot just like auto trannies as a whole do cause tranny fuild gets hot. How do you know if it's too hot.... well that is why they make tranny temp guages or if you have an extra water temp guage you can be ghetto like that.

[korndogg]

yeah im gonna get one..do you know if they make connectors for the gauge for hose? cause i did my tranny lines out of braided hose instead of steel. and the only reason i posted this is cause it kinda worried me that it was still so hot after 3 hours.

[korndogg]

oh and what is the normal temp for a tranny??? i have a infared gun that i can use so i can check it before i even get the gauge.

[GTStang]

B&M's remote tranny filter could help you out with the line situation. It let's you mount an extra filter which you can replace anytime without dropping the pan like a normal tranny filter, an extra quart of tranny fluid in the system, and has a hole for a tranny temp guage. It only cost $35 so it's not expensive either.

What your tranny temp should be depends on the tranny and the type of torque convertor.

[89IROC&RS]

hey korndog, was your catalytic converter still hot too???? "here's your sign" lol

but seriously, your torque converter cant realy overheat worse than the rest of your tranny, cuz they share the same fluid. i mean, unless the converter bearing went bad and it was realy failing, then maybe. but brand new, id say its just regular heat from use and opperation.

[Hypsi87]

Originally Posted by instantkevin

well...that's good stuff.

WTF? Intercool a tranny?

The term intercool (Aftercool) is used when refering to a charge air cooler. Not fluids

[89IROC&RS]

perhaps he meant trans cooler ????

[GTStang]

Originally Posted by 89IROC&RS

perhaps he meant trans cooler ????

I kinda figured that is what he meant too. I guess we are not boost afficianados like Hypsi

[instantkevin]

yes... that's what i meant. sorry boost god.