dieselengineer
Charter Member
Does anyone monitor your differential temperatures while towing? Or after towing, at a stop, use the thermo infrared gun to read the temperature of the rear cover? If so, what is the average temp?
Drive differential temps
- Thread starter dieselengineer
- Start date
Bob&Patty
Founders of SoCal Chapter
Jim, no I dont but thats a great idea. I need to install some guages on the "A" pillar, EGT and trans temp. Someone might make a diff temp guage that would fit in one of those. And maybe a sender that might fit into the drain plug on the diff. What a concept. Bob
2010augusta
Well-known member
I do not monitor mine at all, I figure a Dana Super 110 can handle the weight and pressure. I have used Auto Meter gauges on my other trucks, and here is their selection of differential temp gauges.
Ray LeTourneau
Senior Member - Past Moderator
I wonder if a water temp sensor would fit or be adaptable to the drain plug hole? I've never given thought to checking the temp on the differential.Jim, no I dont but thats a great idea. I need to install some guages on the "A" pillar, EGT and trans temp. Someone might make a diff temp guage that would fit in one of those. And maybe a sender that might fit into the drain plug on the diff. What a concept. Bob
Probably a good idea though.
porthole
Retired
I have a Mag Hytec diff cover on my GMC. Holds almost 8 quarts (stock holds about 2).
I have the temp sensor and gauge. Going out to Indiana from New Jersey (non stop) my diff temp was just below 150.
Coming home (also non stop) with the Cyclone the temp was the same.
BTW, the sensor mounts at the top of the cover, so I am guessing it is the housing temp and not necessarily fluid temp, but it would be "splashed" by the ring gear, just not immersed.
I have the temp sensor and gauge. Going out to Indiana from New Jersey (non stop) my diff temp was just below 150.
Coming home (also non stop) with the Cyclone the temp was the same.
BTW, the sensor mounts at the top of the cover, so I am guessing it is the housing temp and not necessarily fluid temp, but it would be "splashed" by the ring gear, just not immersed.
Rigmover06
Well-known member
Diff Temp Sending unit.
I did install a temp gauge on our 3500 for the rear diff and under maximum load the hottest I got was 180. I have synthetic gear oil in mine.
It was a simple install. I will try to find the pictures I took while I was doing it and post them on here if allowed to.
Dan
I did install a temp gauge on our 3500 for the rear diff and under maximum load the hottest I got was 180. I have synthetic gear oil in mine.
It was a simple install. I will try to find the pictures I took while I was doing it and post them on here if allowed to.
Dan
dieselengineer
Charter Member
For heavy towing, the change interval for the rear diff (Dodge) is 15,000 miles. Appears that this is due to the temps and duty that the lube is subjected to during heavy towing. The mag hytec covers are very well made, and in the long run can be cost effective if the drain intervals can be extended due to not cooking the lube. However, when the black coal is pouring out the pipe and the boost is at it's maximum, the temps keep on climbing. I know, there should not be black coal pouring out the pipe, but what fun would that be.
nhunter
Well-known member
Maybe that should be 150,000 miles! Ford calls for 97,500m intervals on the F-450, F-550 and 150,000m on the F-350. Somethings wrong if it is only 15,000m.
porthole
Retired
I am sure with only 2 quarts in the diff my temp would have been higher.
I really like the big covers, almost four times the fluid and I used Amsoil when I did it.
I think I will probably never have to change the oil. Maybe I'll have the truck for another 100,000 or not.
But if I do change it the Mag Hytec cover come with a drain plug, a center plug for quick filling to about 80-90 % capacity and then a top fill port with a dipstick for final filling.
I really like the big covers, almost four times the fluid and I used Amsoil when I did it.
I think I will probably never have to change the oil. Maybe I'll have the truck for another 100,000 or not.
But if I do change it the Mag Hytec cover come with a drain plug, a center plug for quick filling to about 80-90 % capacity and then a top fill port with a dipstick for final filling.
dieselengineer
Charter Member
nhunter
Differentials today are subjected to "severe" duty service and encounter more stress and heat than was seen only a few years ago, simply due to the fact that today's engines have more HP and Torque. Extreme pressures and temperatures generated within the differentials increase stress on the lubricant. Schedule "B" in the dodge owner's manual calls for lube changes every 15,000 miles. It is not the same as "back in the day"
Differentials today are subjected to "severe" duty service and encounter more stress and heat than was seen only a few years ago, simply due to the fact that today's engines have more HP and Torque. Extreme pressures and temperatures generated within the differentials increase stress on the lubricant. Schedule "B" in the dodge owner's manual calls for lube changes every 15,000 miles. It is not the same as "back in the day"
nhunter
Well-known member
The numbers for the Ford I quoted aren't "back in the day" they are from 2006. With that thought Kenworth owners must be changing theirs every 10 miles!
dieselengineer
Charter Member
nhunter
I disagree with your comparison with a "kenworth". The ring and pinion gears are not in the same league and they have larger surface area to handle the torque with less heat and stress on the lube.
I disagree with your comparison with a "kenworth". The ring and pinion gears are not in the same league and they have larger surface area to handle the torque with less heat and stress on the lube.
nhunter
Well-known member
I know they are not in the same league, just seems odd Dodge says 15000m and Ford says 150000m. Thats all.
dieselengineer
Charter Member
The first thing I noticed was the paint on the cover coming off due to the heat being generated during towing. After the first drain (change of lube) and seeing the black tar that came out after only 10,000 miles, I understand why dodge has the service interval at 15,000 miles for the servere duty. The lube appears to be cooked and burnt. The second change with synthetic was a little better. So that is why I was asking about temps everyone was seeing. Presently have a mag-hytec cover, extra lube, and the temp probe. The lube appears to be nice and clear, however I know the temps are not near what they were with the OEM cover.
