2015 Chevy Trans

[oilnut12]

Trans has about 46,xxx miles on it. 2015 Chevy 5.3l with the 6 speed. Truck is a daily driver. Occasionally tow a 7-8k pound load about 200 miles. Trans temp runs about 200 degrees. Is this ok? Should I drop pan at 50k and replace fluid and filter?
Thanks for the thoughts.

 

[CharBaby]

YES!

 

[supton]

Change the fluid, then quit worrying. These temps are fine.

 

[SteveSRT8]

The temps are fine. Most late model GM vans run the trans fluid through a radiator type cooler which means the fluid temp is at least close to radiator temp. You want that fluid hot, 200 is actually textbook...

 

[repairman54]

Whip out the manual and go by the severe service schedule. 250k plus miles is easy to achieve with good maintenance.
I've taken many GM trannies that far with 45k fluid service with tow duty and also FWD ones.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I found this pan that has a drain plug, which will make future ATF changes much easier

 

[tyman]

200-225* is optimal for trans fluid

 

[ls1mike]

I can't figure out why GM did that. 200? So I have a gas 1 ton 2017 6L90E. Towing 8000lbs it won't see above 175 in the summer heat towing passes.
The 90E and 80E are very similar. Tooling around I might see 130 unloaded. The gasser HDs have a huge cooler and no thermostat. The 1/2 ton 6L80E has the thermostat. LOTS of guys eliminate the thermostat or install something like this. Thermostat delete/bypass
Do 45K services on it. That is the interval for the 6L90E. The big difference between the 6L90E and 6L80E are as follows.

The 6L90E is a heavier-duty version of the 6L80E, Upgrades consisted of a strengthened input gear set and a strengthened wider output gear set. The 6L90E also contains one more clutch plate in each clutch pack than the 6L80 for heavier duty applications. The6L90E is a like an inch and a half longer. The 6L90E also has a different torque convertor.

So why the huge temperature difference? I can't tell you, (thermostat keeps it too hot, too many lock up cycles?) but what I can tell you is the incidents of 6L80E failing far outnumber the 6L90E. I think part of if is AFM and going into and out of lock up more often.

 

[Kawiguy454]

I understand the GM heavy trucks the trans runs cool with trans cooler and no thermostat. the ligher gas models have a thermostat to keep the fluid temp artificially hot probably to meet MPG regs. MANY ppl with gm gassers do a 15 minute mod to flip the thermostat valve "Pill" disableing the thermostat and dropping temps 50 degrees with zero problems. Heat is the enemy in a transmission and contrary to long component life.

 

[ls1mike]

I understand the GM heavy trucks the trans runs cool with trans cooler and no thermostat. the ligher gas models have a thermostat to keep the fluid temp artificially hot probably to meet MPG regs. MANY ppl with gm gassers do a 15 minute mod to flip the thermostat valve "Pill" disableing the thermostat and dropping temps 50 degrees with zero problems. Heat is the enemy in a transmission and contrary to long component life.

Spot on for the 6L80E.

 

[Mr_Joe]

I just did my trans yesterday, 2017 Sierra 1500, 4wd, 5.3 engine, 6-speed tranny. I have 90k miles, never done tranny prior. I ended up doing the pry down on the crossmember that’s in the way, bar with a floor jack. That’s to get the pan off once loose, all you need is about 1/2”.

The magnet was a hairy beast, should of took a picture, looked like a chia pet with all those shavings. I did change the filter too, didn’t inspect it to much. I then drilled a hole in the pan & added a drain nut, though I see the benefit of getting the pan off.

The pan gasket looked fine, used it again, added Valvoline synthetic fluid. The drain fluid color was rather dark, almost black.

Today I’ll drive & check the level.