4l80e Transmssion Fluid Overflow?

[gm88]

Just a question about the fluid level on the 4l80e in my '99 c2500 5.7. today i decided to check the trans fluid in my truck because i got stuck in the snow and had to go back and forth for 10 minutes or so. It was about 30-35 degrees out today, i drove about 15-20 miles, with 8 being on the express way. When i got home i checked the fluid like i usually do and it was above cold fill but not yet in the hot fill range. I looked under the truck with a flashlight and couldn't see any signs of fluid leacking from the trans. I dropped the pan to change the fluid and filter last august, and after that it was in the middle of the "hot" range after several miles of stop and go driving in 85 degree heat, so i assumed it was ok. Also, i felt the trans. pan and it did not feel nearly as hot as it gets in the summer, neither did anything else under the hood. Do you guys think i lost some fluid from rocking the truck free (i did briefly hit 3500 rpms in R during this time) or was it too cold to check the fluid today, even after driving?

[txab]

It was too cold more than likely. Transmissions do run cooler in the winter unless you're really working them. At temps you posted mine never moves the temp needle under average driving conditions. That would be 100 or less

[gm88]

wow, thats suprising how cold they remain in winter. I don't have the temp. gauge on my truck (old style), so i just use by hand and feel the pan, it did feel much cooler than the oil pan after driving it today. In the summer they both feel about the same temp after driving. If it did shoot some fluid out the vent tube, do y'all think i would see somthing on the sides of the transmission? I looked on the sides, bottom and back for leaks, but couldn't see any (knock on wood). It got stuck a week ago and has been driven daily, but not really far since then.

[Doug_Scott]

wow, thats suprising how cold they remain in winter. I don't have the temp. gauge on my truck (old style), so i just use by hand and feel the pan, it did feel much cooler than the oil pan after driving it today. In the summer they both feel about the same temp after driving. If it did shoot some fluid out the vent tube, do y'all think i would see somthing on the sides of the transmission? I looked on the sides, bottom and back for leaks, but couldn't see any (knock on wood). It got stuck a week ago and has been driven daily, but not really far since then.

 

Don't know why you would even think it would push fluid out the vent in the first place. What you describe is almost considered normal operation in any snow belt area around here. As long as you are between the lines all is good.

[Mike G]

As long as the fluid is still nice and red witout any burnt smell, you are fine....

[tanked_darren]

My truck has to sit idling for awhile for it to reach "operating temps" according to my manual and temperature gauge. 160F to 200F (71C to 93C) Driving (unless stop and go) rarely brings it up to temp.

[gm88]

Thanks y'all, yup i think everyones right in that its just not getting warm enough. Btw, my trucks the "old style" GMT 400 so i dont have a trans. temp gauge or light. The fluid did still look light red and smell normal as it always has