operating temp?

**clevy** · 05-20-2014

Hi all, I have a 2006 grand prix with the 3.6 I believe. I was wondering what the normal operating temp should be on the dic. It's starting to have the surging issue. An tonight on my way home I went to pass someone going 35 an it was hesitating pretty bad until it downshift. Should I start looking for a rebuild?

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 05-20-2014

It's got a 3.8.

What temps are you seeing.

Factory cars without a external trans cooler tend to see temps from 170-210ish for trans temps.

If I was you, I would remove the throttle body and MAF sensor and clean both with the correct cleaners and see if anything changes. Both of those when dirty can make things act weird and seem like somthing is wrong.

**Scottydoggs** · 05-20-2014

my cars running around 205 to 210 ish in traffic. thats normal.

how high are you miles? has it ever had a tune up? that could be the cause of the stuttering / surging

**Booba5185** · 05-20-2014

175*F is the optimal temperature, and for every 20*F you increase, you cut the transmission fluid's life in half. Transmission fluid life at 175*F is 100,000 miles, so you do the math. I got this from the ASE manual, if you'd like I can try and find the information again.

**Scottydoggs** · 05-20-2014

oh didnt see this was in the tranny section. those are my coolant temps, tranny runs 170 to 190. dont think you have a tranny problem tho.

**clevy** · 05-20-2014

It's not a 3.8. I couldn't remember if they had 3.6 or 3.4.. the car has 214k on it. I looked today an it was at 225*f. I know at 150k it had every fluid changed.

**Scottydoggs** · 05-20-2014

its a 3800. and thats hot. hows the fluid color and smell? dark or burnt smelling? hows your engine temps, as the tranny cooler is in the radiator hotter the engine runs hotter the tranny runs.

if the engine temp is ok, in the 200 range, add a trans cooler to keep it temps down.

and if the fluids were changed at 150 what are the miles now? ever been tuned up?

**clevy** · 05-20-2014

Its got 214k now. the coolant temp seems to be in line. I'll have to check the fluid tomorrow for level, burnt smell, an color.

**Scottydoggs** · 05-20-2014

your due for another pan drop and filter change in that case. that should be done around 50 to 60,000 miles. dont flush it, just drop the pan and refill with 8 quarts of new fluid. its never to late to add a shift kit either. it will help make the trans last longer. and its easy to do with only the pan off. oh and they are rather cheap too. 100% worth installing one.

**clevy** · 05-20-2014

will that help the surging deal? I'm supposed to be going to the twin cities in a couple weeks an don't want this to **** out on me. Also where do I find a shift kit?

**Scottydoggs** · 05-20-2014

ebay has them transgo and thrasher are the favorites. do not got the ZZP shift kit, its trash.

heres one. search around some other shift kit threads, theres a few how to install threads to with pics, its a cake walk really.

http://www.amazon.com/Transgo-T84167.../dp/B008XO9ATC

**Scottydoggs** · 05-20-2014

post a vid of the surging if you can, is the check engine light on?

**industrialfish** · 05-21-2014

Is there anything other then ASE articles that say what is "normal" for our cars? My trans temps have always gotten to 215* no matter what the outside temps are weather summer or winter, even after a pan drop and refill with Dex 6. Coolant stays 190-195 as well, both read with Autotap, not gauges.

**stocker** · 05-21-2014

The Hayden 403 cooler I bought last year had a similar statement about trans oil temp vs lifespan but I don't remember the temps they stated as a base point.

Clevy, I would agree with the other above and start with cleaning the Mass Air Flow sensor and the throttle body. Also consider when the last time it had a "tune up" - if it hasn't had one recently start with tune-up items.

After that I would say a transmission cooler and shift kit would be your next items to address.

PS, as far as I'm concerned 215 is pretty high. When I didn't have a trans cooler I used to see 215 - 230 towing a couple motorcycle and lots of gear.

**clevy** · 05-22-2014

the manual has trans temp 180-200 range

**industrialfish** · 05-22-2014

Originally Posted by clevy

the manual has trans temp 180-200 range

Hm well I guess I'll have to figure out how to install the trans cooler I have.

**REDCRAPGP** · 05-22-2014

[QUOT E=industrialfish;1229696]Hm well I guess I'll have to figure out how to install the trans cooler I have.[/QUOTE]

There's a write up on here somewhere