Transmission housing/console heating up? Kilbys??

[Luna X]

That valve controlled bypass seems like a great idea... prolly only need extra cooling on long road trips, or if hauling extra weight... like when all the in-laws are in town for the holidays...

[VX1032]

mines a 99 with 56k, but I have had the tranny flushed 3 times already, and I only use fully synthetic tranny fluid, mobil one or royal purple, so I know my tranny is in "pretty" good shape.

[Y33TREKker]

'01 with about 35k miles and Mobil 1 synthetic has always been used.

[VX KAT]

'01, 74,000 miles, original radiator & tranny
All fluids switched to Royal Purple at 65,000 miles, including flushing tranny twice to maximize synthetic.

I know we don't have a tranny dipstick on the 3.5L. Is that detailed procedure for checking the ATF level the only way to get to the fluid? I at least want to try to see if there's any burnt smell.
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...29&postcount=6

[vt_maverick]

I don't recall feeling any excess heat on our trip to Wisconsin this past summer, but then again I had Sonya, Mahalia, Dakota, and a bouncing rear cargo carrier to distract me.

I can tell you that our '04 Axiom is TERRIBLE about heating up on a long drive... but the heat is on the passenger side of the center console, perfectly located to scorch your passenger's feet. It's not heat blowing from the lower vents; it's heat radiating from under the carpet. I'm glad I don't have that level of issue with the VX, but I sure would love to move our Axiom's tranny dipstick to my engine bay.

[VXR]

I sure would love to move our Axiom's tranny dipstick to my engine bay.

I hear ya on that...

[Triathlete]

I can tell you that our '04 Axiom is TERRIBLE about heating up on a long drive... but the heat is on the passenger side of the center console, perfectly located to scorch your passenger's feet. It's not heat blowing from the lower vents; it's heat radiating from under the carpet..

Lizardskin makes a ceramic based coating that would help with this heat issue in case you wanted to "fix" it.

[circmand]

I don't recall feeling any excess heat on our trip to Wisconsin this past summer, but then again I had Sonya, Mahalia, Dakota, and a bouncing rear cargo carrier to distract me.

I can tell you that our '04 Axiom is TERRIBLE about heating up on a long drive... but the heat is on the passenger side of the center console, perfectly located to scorch your passenger's feet. It's not heat blowing from the lower vents; it's heat radiating from under the carpet. I'm glad I don't have that level of issue with the VX, but I sure would love to move our Axiom's tranny dipstick to my engine bay.

I am not worried about the tranny itself they are going to get hot. I am not worried about my passengers tootsies getting to warm they can take the bus next time. What concerns me is this heat is building up under the computer that is under the passenger seat. A computer does not like heat. I was wondering if this heat build up had caused any of the computer issues we have seen?

[vt_maverick]

Thanks for the tip Billy, but at the rate we're pounding miles onto it (trips to/from Wisconsin at least once a year + almost all other family outings) it won't be a problem for too much longer. Then on to a Mini Beachcomber...

[VXorado]

The kilbys definitely trap heat from the tranny and send it upward into the cabin. I noticed the seat bolts get really hot during 1 hr+ drives but as long as the trans oil light isn't on, the tranny is within operating temperature and shouldn't be an issue.

[Marlin]

I have a new tranny, and it gets just as hot as my old tranny. We do have a tranny cooler already. Not sure what good it would do to add another one?
I am with LDUB, if the lights not on, I would not worry. My light has been on twice, while trying to plow up a sand ledge. I checked the fluid at Uwharrie, no problems, still looked great. To clear the light, put it in neutral, bring RPMs to 2500 or so and wait a minute, everything cooled down quite nicely.
I would not worry about the hot tranny, I think its normal.
Kilbys may not be helping, but I doubt it makes that much difference.