PT36 retarder & other things

[davidkerryedwards]

Those temperatures seem really high to me. I was looking at hose temperature
ratings
and fluid temperature ratings when I was redoing my power steering. My
recollection is
that standard hydraulic hose was rated to 250 degrees and the expensive high
temperature hose was rated to 325 or 350. I think regular transmission fluid
was rated as
functional up to about 250 degrees and synthetics up to about 350. These
numbers are
from my memory, If anyone else has knowledge about the functional temperatures
of
transmission fluid, I'd like to know. I'd be quite concerned with temperatures
over 300
degrees.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

be sure to keep it below
> 320-330 degrees or you'll shorten the life of the tranny fluid
> greatly. Most commercial bus drivers have to change the tranny fluid
> every 50K miles when using the tranny retarder often. Mine easily goes
> from 230 to 300 degrees when descending a steep off-ramp. One way to
> slow the heat is to engage the fan override and let the hydro fan rob
> 25-30 horses from the engine and cool the tranny fluid a little
> quicker. On an off-ramp it does not make much difference, but on the 3
> or 4 mile grade, you can usually make it to the bottom under 320
> degrees if you also use the service brakes along with the tranny brake
> and fan to slow the coach down.
> Shane Fedeli
> 85PT40
> Hershey, PA
>
>