I successfully swapped out my transmission, putting in one from another Camry. Seems like it is all fine, but I want to verify what the trans temp range should be. My Techstream reported the temp at close to 89 C yesterday after my test drive, and I can't find what the "normal" range is. Anyone know what the norm operating temp of the U250E transmission is? This is a 2009 Camry SE, 2.4L (2AZ-FE).

 

Based on other Toyota data this would be between 50 and 80C. However 89C is within range of ATF fluid normal operating temp. There is not much you can do about it unless wanting to add a remote cooler.

With any mineral type trans fluid, change it say every 30K miles or use synthetic.

 

Thanks. I am using Valvoline Maxlife full synth. After my 50 mile run yesterday in 100 degree heat. (AC at full blast) the temp was about 97 C I think I recall. I plan to add in a cooler to see if it drops the temp a bit. They run about 32 bucks so worth it to try.

 

You should still be fine if using synthetic.

For conventional fluid for every 20F temp rise the fluid life is cut in half. At 195F life is approximately 50K miles.

Assume synthetic can last twice as long.

You don't want the fluid to get over 300F or can damage trans parts.

The common cause of most trans failures is worn out and dirty fluid. Heat plays a major role in shortening the fluid life and thus trans life.

 

This morning at the half point the trans temp reported as 76 C. That was maybe 20 some odd miles into highway speeds, about 20 degrees C outside temp. When I got to work I sat in the parking garage with the car running but at a stop, took me a few minutes to get the laptop up and running and into Techstream, and again saw the temp at about 98 C or thereabouts. But again, I was at dead stop, no air moving across the radiator, idling for a few minutes.

My plan, since the fluid is not as cherry red as I would like after 18 quarts of fluid (not all of that run through it, maybe 8 quarts or so pumped in and out), is to run 9 or so quarts through it again at about 10,000 miles just as a precaution. And I think I will move ahead with the trans cooler just to isolate out any crud in my radiator from the old trans and issues. Worth $32 in my mind. And then I will go ahead and replace the filter when I hit 30,000 miles. Again just as a precaution.

 

98C is OK for synthetic.

You can by a can type inline transmission oil filter much like a remote oil filter would be for an engine.

 

Watching the temps as I drive, seems like the range is mid 80's, with the 90's coming in on my inclines, which makes sense. In both directions I have steep hills to climb close to my destination (going from plateau to plateau with a valley inbetween) so the temps are up at the end of the drive, lower in the bulk of the drive. Seems to be doing just fine . Thanks for the info! I'm looking forward to adding a cooler just due to the climbs I make. 22,000 miles a year just for work, and that is a lot of hill climbing.

 

When you move ahead with the cooler, please post back on the installation procedure and results with the fluid temps.

 

Will do. I plan on taking pics and all that. My cooler from Car-ID shipped today, so I should have it in a few days. $41 and change delivered. I assume the proper thing is to NOT first route the fluid through the radiator, then into the new cooler. I will be bypassing the radiator altogether as I know it has crap in it form the old issues.

My baseline temps are 81-85 C mid drive (to work), and about 95 C when at the end due to the inclines I have to climb. So I'll see what temps I get with the cooler installed.

 

Not sure if the gains from replacing the current fluid to fluid cooler will be them same with an air to fluid cooler.

If bypassing the old cooler suggest capping the lines in case the fluid temp is too high and need to reconnect the old cooler. If doing so back flush the old cooler which should be easy to do as it does not have narrow tubes like the radiator but a full size tube.