m35a3 normal operating temperature

[grfd711]

For about a week, brush/grass/wildland fires were getting pretty prominant in my area, so my paid FD's brush truck was getting called out to assist our neighboring dept.

Two fires occured during my shift, but it wasn't until the second one that I noticed the temps for the coolant and tranny. With as late as it is right now, I've forgotten the tranny's temp, but I do remember the coolant temp was getting up to about 210*. This was on the return trip to the station.

The rig was driven near 55 mph for most of the call to the scene and at low speeds for about 15-20 mins on scene, with some brief idling. When I noticed that temp I was driving the rig at 55 mph on the highway and the temperature was around mid 50s. Coolant is nice n' green, but I think getting that high was not normal.

So, can anybody let me know what the normal operating temp for coolant and transmission is for highway use? BTW, I did some searching and couldn't find nothing directly related to what I'm looking for, but if a thread does exist, please point me in the right direction.

 

[jwaller]

sounds about normal. what does the -10 say is normal?

 

[grfd711]

I'm new to the forum and I'm not much of a mechanic, so forgive me, but I do not know what the -10 is.

 

[saddamsnightmare]

March 14th, 2010.

-10's are the military's published operator's manuals for the piece of equipment being discussed. There may be a digitalzed set of manuals on here for the M35A3's (look under "resources" above), if not, see if Wayne Harris (member on here) could help you out as he seems to have evry manual known to Uncle Sam digitalized on CD's. You will want to make yourself familiar with the -10,-20 and -30 & 34P (if applicable) for your truck to get the best and safest use out of it.
Good luck and happy hunting,

Cheers,

Kyle F. McGrogan

 

[jwaller]

I'm new to the forum and I'm not much of a mechanic, so forgive me, but I do not know what the -10 is.

I hate to say this but what training were you guys given in order to operate this equipment?
do you even know where to check all the fluids?
do you know how the brakes work?
do you know the weights your hauling and the limits of the truck?

please read the operators manual and know your trucks before it gets us all in trouble.

 

[skidunits4you]

normal operating temp is 160 to 230 degrees as per the -10 , tranny operating temp 160 to 200 I have to agree please get a copy of the operator manual and read up.

 

[zout]

A good thermal digital temp gun is a great asset to your tool box.

The TM's should be gone through beginning with the operators manual and then move onto the PM service and inspection and get to know these BEFORE you operator this equipment. These are all above for the viewing pleasure and printing to make whatever area's you need for your own personal manuals.

Seeing on this site folks that just ask what the truck is all about and how it operates and they drove it home from a base and no pre-knowledge of anything on the truck is scarey.

These are heavy pieces of equipment and are an accident waiting to happen in the hands of non-experienced personnel behind the wheel.

 

[Economist]

normal operating temp is 160 to 230 degrees as per the -10 , tranny operating temp 160 to 200 I have to agree please get a copy of the operator manual and read up.

I bought my A3 earlier this year and have been going through her to check all fluids and functions. I am 2/3rds through swapping the transmission fluid from engine oil to DEX III. Recently, I have noticed higher transmission temps. As I searched the SS forum, I see some information that says the tranny temp range is 160 to 200 (see quote above). In the -10 that I have it says the range is 160 to 300 (TM 9-2320-386-10 page 2-4). Mine seems to hover around 250 to 275. I do live in AZ and it has been HOT. I am trying to decide if I need an auxiliary tranny cooler. Any feedback would be appreciated.

-Economist.

 

[armytruck63]

normal operating temp is 160 to 230 degrees as per the -10 , tranny operating temp 160 to 200 I have to agree please get a copy of the operator manual and read up.

This makes me feel much better. I was running about 215 degrees on a hard mountain climb last weekend. As soon as I topped the pass, the temperature dropped nicely back to 180 degrees.

 

[cattlerepairman]

I bought my A3 earlier this year and have been going through her to check all fluids and functions. I am 2/3rds through swapping the transmission fluid from engine oil to DEX III. Recently, I have noticed higher transmission temps. As I searched the SS forum, I see some information that says the tranny temp range is 160 to 200 (see quote above). In the -10 that I have it says the range is 160 to 300 (TM 9-2320-386-10 page 2-4). Mine seems to hover around 250 to 275. I do live in AZ and it has been HOT. I am trying to decide if I need an auxiliary tranny cooler. Any feedback would be appreciated.

-Economist.

I was told that excessive heat is what kills many automatic transmissions. I try my best to not be a DATD (dumb ass truck driver) and some things the mechanics tell me that DATD do are really bad....like applying the spring brakes and leaving the truck idling and in gear, then forgetting about it and running the (engine driven) PTO operating a knuckleboom for an hour at high idle, having the truck strain against the spring brakes and cooking the tranny oil in the process....stuff like that.

Long story short: if you CAN keep the tranny running cooler, you probably should, and increase its life span.