I just received my new regular capacity Mag Hytec tranny pan and I have a concern about the pre-drilled, but plugged 1/8 NPT port for the tranny temp gauge. I will not be running a temp gauge, at least for a little while. Reference the pictures below: The pictures show views of both inside and outside of the port. To me, it seems the plug is not screwed in very far, and this concerns me. I tried to turn it with the supplied allen wrench but it was very snug and I didn't want to possibly strip the port. It also appears to have some copper anti-sieze applied to the threads. Does anyone else's pan look like this? Should I be worried about losing the plug on the road, and consequently, transmission fluid? I thought I would try here before trying to deal with someone in customer service at Mag Hytec.

 

If you cant turn it with the allen wrench then it is tight enough and will not come out. Mine is about the same

 

That is a tapered pipe thread. It will not fall out if even mildly tightened. No worries.

Wetspirit

 

I believe that. But could you explain why that is the case? Why will tapered pipe thread/plug not fall out?

 

kry226,

What would be the force that would make it fall out? It cannot vibrate in a way that would allow it to wiggle loose because it doesn't have a large mass hanging off the end of it. Nothing can hit it in a way that would unscrew it. The difference in thermal expansion rates between the steel plug and the aluminum pan is not great enough to overcome the tightnes of the tapered thread. Pipe threads, because they are tapered, bind tighter and tighter into the threads as they are tightened. Often the thread sealer is a type that hardens and acts as a glue as well as a sealer (not sure what type is on these threads). It's a non issue. Experience has shown that they don't fall out. Why aren't you worried about the bolts falling out or the filler tube falling off? Why don't the pipe plugs in the differentials fall out? They have oil on them instead of pipe sealer. Experience says it won't happen and there is no clear reason to think it will. As long as it has enough threads to seal and is reasonably tight, it won't fall out. As long as it has more than a thread or two it should be fine, and if you run it all the way in till no threads are showing on the plug, you may crack the pan.
This reasoning may be inadequate, but it's all I've got.

Wetspirit

 

Thanks for the explanation. I guess my worry came from the plug looking like it didn't have very many threads engaged within the pan.

 

kry226,


I noticed in your signature you have Bilsteins up front. I just ordered a set for mine. How do you like them? Do they work well under differing conditions?


Thanks, Wetspirit

 

They're great, with the exception that I bought shocks that are too short and I have some topping out under fairly heavy articulation. Definitely the best way to go for the money. I'll be calling Kent for a new set when funds make themselves available.

 

I agree with you Wetspirit about the threads being a non-issue. Pipe thread snugged down with anti-seaze type of sealant is NOT going to come loose!!

One question: Isn't the preferred location for the temp sensor at one of the ports (Ibelieve the port where fluid enters tranny)??? At least this was the case for my old E40D Ford tranny. It is supposed to give a hotter reading (actual tranny temp- and will indicate temp in tranny as it exits before cooling in pan and run through oil cooler.

 

I have a similar thread ongoing at TDR. The same question came up:

http://www.turbodieselregister.com/f...d.php?t=120999

I wish I knew the right answer about temp monitoring, but I am not concerned about the pipe threads any more. Thanks.

 

Temp sensor location is just a debate about wether you want to read the hottest temp anywhere in the tranny (cooling line), or if you want to read the reservoir temp (sensor in pan). Both have their advantages. I'd probably go with the pan temp on mine but there could be temp spikes that were higher than the oil should see. I don't see myself using the truck in a way that I'd have to watch the cooling line temp and be ready to shut down occasionally, maybe in snowplow operation or something like that. I'm doing more like pulling grades in the summer and (maybe wrongly) expecting a slow rise rate. And I don't tow very often.
I don't have a gauge on my '93 and I scorched the oil badly on that one. Pulling a 48', 12,000 lb trailer over the mountains wide open for miles. Oil was burned but the tranny survived.


Wetspirit

 

As far as the temp sensor goes, I'm not going to say whether it should be in the hose or the pan. Do NOT install it in any port on the tranny. I just went through this with my truck. You can do a search here and find numerous posts saying go ahead and put it in a test port. I put it in the second gear servo test port, and it almost cost me a new tranny. From what I understand now, none of the test ports are going to have fluid moving in them at all times.

 

What was it that almost cost you a new tranny? What is the connection between the test port and tranny damage with a temp sensor? If it's just that fluid may not be moving past that port do you mean you would get an inacurate reading?

Wetspirit

 

Its not just fluid in those test ports, there are moving parts. The sensor for the ISSPRO gauge is 1/8npt and screws right into any of those ports. The problem was that the probe is longer than the hole. In the front port (second gear servo) there is a servo and a plastic piston. I believe a spring in the port hit the sending unit, anyway the gauge wasn't acting right immediately after installing it. I tried to pull the sending unit and it didn't want to come out. When I got it out the brass on the end of the probe was missing in some spots. I called ATS and talked with them about the situation. They told me that there isn't fluid at all times in ANY of the ports on the side of the tranny. Basically you are measuring the temp of the fluid if and when you are in a gear for that test port. The rest of the time you are measuring the temp of the case.

I plan on taking a picture of the sending unit when I can. I ended up putting the probe in the Mag Hytec pan I put on. If I had to do it again, I would buy the replacement hose, but since I was already buying the pan I installed it there. I plan on a couple more fluid changes in the near future....just in case.

 

You are fine. MagHytec is a great pan. I had the double deep dish and my tranny NEVER went over 190 unless I had the cold front on.

Be careful if you are a long idler... m ake sure you put your tranny in NEUTRAL with the AC ON ALWAYS otherwise your tranny will get up to 210+ F.