tranny getting hotter than normal

04TitanSeOffRoad · 10-13-2009, 10:11 PM

I have been towing heavy loads with my titan since I got her at 31k, now i am at 85k. I tow anywhere from 2,000lbs to 10,000lbs depending on what I am moving. About 5-6K ago I had nissan flush and change the tranny fluid and it was crystal clear before and after the flush.

the truck always shifts great and I have never had any tranny problems at all. recently I have noticed when towing firewood about 5-7K pounds total weight the tranny gauge will start climbing every once and a while. I never let it get more than 2/3 of the way up, but it has never done this before other than maybe 4-5 times over the course of 2 yrs. But it has happen maybe 3 times in the last month.

I always tow in 4th gear, sometimes 3rd on slow hills and always in tow mode. I have not changed anything with the truck that should affect this. Sorry for the long winded post just trying to thorough.

Any Ideas...?

I already ordered an additional tranny cooler. not installed yet fyi

**loufish** · 10-13-2009, 10:23 PM

Without know more details, if you're towing heavy and it gets up to 2/3 that's not to bad...I wouldn't get another cooler yours is pretty big already...

Have you tried blowing out all the road crap that gets in the radiator fins over time that can decrease the heat sheading?...Start with something like that...

04TitanSeOffRoad · 10-13-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loufish

Without know more details, if you're towing heavy and it gets up to 2/3 that's not to bad...I wouldn't get another cooler yours is pretty big already...

Have you tried blowing out all the road crap that gets in the radiator fins over time that can decrease the heat sheading?...Start with something like that...

I don't disagree with anything your saying, but it seems like its getting hotter much easier than a year ago.

**loufish** · 10-14-2009, 06:45 AM

Quote:

I don't disagree with anything your saying, but it seems like its getting hotter much easier than a year ago.

That's what you described and I understand....Trying to think logical about what's changed over time...

Most mechanical issues would show up with other symptoms...

Derwud · 10-14-2009, 08:00 AM

First, have you checked your fluid level?

Second, what are you towing when this happens, estimated weight and are you on a grade and what effect does downshifting have on temp when it happens?

Third, bad Sensor?

Forth, what fluid did the dealer use. Your truck had Nmatic-J and Nissan has switched to Nmatic-S..

I'll think of some more..

Yahooligan · 10-18-2009, 12:26 PM

When it starts to heat up, do you downshift to 3rd to bring the RPMs up to around 2500-3000 or more? If you do, does the temp immediately drop back down to normal? If so then there's nothing wrong with the trans cooler and the cooling portion is working fine, adding an additional trans cooler won't help anything. If you bring the revs up and the temp DOESN'T drop pretty much immediately then I'd say you definitely have an issue with improper cooling.

Also, keep in mind that the area between the lines on the trans temp gauge is considered to be normal operating range, it's not until you cross the upper line that it's considered to be overheating.

04TitanSeOffRoad · 10-18-2009, 10:11 PM

if i down shift to 2nd or third the temp will drop back down, tranny fluid levels are good, fluid is very clean. This has been happening when towing 4-7,000 lbs, usually gets hot when going up hills at lower speeds. And I have never let the temp get up to the upper lines, I always manually down shift before it gets too hot.

Yahooligan · 10-18-2009, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04TitanSeOffRoad

if i down shift to 2nd or third the temp will drop back down, tranny fluid levels are good, fluid is very clean. This has been happening when towing 4-7,000 lbs, usually gets hot when going up hills at lower speeds. And I have never let the temp get up to the upper lines, I always manually down shift before it gets too hot.

Sounds pretty normal to me, pulling loads uphill at low speeds, more specifically at "low" RPMs (< 2000RPM) doesn't allow enough fluid flow for sufficient cooling. Not sure why this would happen suddenly, but since the temp drops when you downshift then it's clearly not a trans cooler problem. I wouldn't spend the money adding another cooler since it won't help. 3rd gear usually does the trick, low speed/RPM up hills in 4th will definitely heat up your trans.

**loufish** · 10-19-2009, 09:15 PM

Everthing sounds normal..except the part where this didn't happen very often at all, then lately it happens a little more often...

What's changed?.....weights towed, routes taken, more hills,

hertz · 10-26-2009, 07:00 PM

Trailer bearings?

**Dads_taxi** · 10-26-2009, 11:00 PM

I had my tranny rebulit with IPT parts last January at 42k miles and found out that some of the OEM clutches were burnt. Prior to the IPT install, most of my towing was in the 5-6k range. Also, in a move across the country I towed 6k.

Maybe your heat is from excesive slippage and it is not showing signs in your fluid yet?

**loufish** · 10-27-2009, 06:36 AM

Quote:

I had my tranny rebulit with IPT parts last January at 42k miles and found out that some of the OEM clutches were burnt. Prior to the IPT install, most of my towing was in the 5-6k range. Also, in a move across the country I towed 6k.

I have to ask...Were you towing with 40" tires, and did you have 4.56 gears at the time?...

**Dads_taxi** · 10-27-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loufish

I have to ask...Were you towing with 40" tires, and did you have 4.56 gears at the time?...

No. Most of my towing had been with the OEM tires and some with 37's.

I've had the 40's for the last year and a half and the gears for over 1 month. I don't believe tire size was a factor for my worn cluthes last January when the IPT upgrade was done.

IMO - If a Titan is used for moderate/heavy towing and going to be kept it for a long time, then an IPT upgrade should be considered if the tranny needs any work.

**loufish** · 11-02-2009, 06:22 AM

Quote:

I've had the 40's for the last year and a half and the gears for over 1 month

Towing with 40" tires before the gears, you don't see that as trans abuse?...

robert421960 · 11-13-2009, 12:52 PM

hi guys this is my first post here so bear with me
i bought a 2004 titan 4x4 off road about 2 months ago
i love my truck and am learning more about it every day
i have a 30' camper fully loaded about 5500 lbs
this truck pulls it great but when going up a long steep hill on the hwy it tends to raise the trany temp alot
i started pulling in d with the tow mode on going about 55 to 60 it gets really hot so i put it in 4th and seems to do much better
the other day i was pulling it home up the same mtn in the rain in 4 again
going about 45 to 50 it shifted down 1 speed and rpm were about 2700 anfd trans started getting hot again
i had to let off gas and slow a bit then it cooled off in just a few seconds
whats the opinion on this?
i read this whole thread and mine seems a little different?
thanks
Robert