Hello I have a decent D7e military dozer and it’s a lower hour machine and I use it around the farm.  Maybe 50 hours a year tops.

I have noticed the transmission oil temp creeping up to 235 degrees after about a half a day of decent work in 80 degree heat.
I used a laser to check and the engine coolant is just fine around 185ish but it appears that the trans cooler is not shedding much heat to speak of.  Maybe 15 degrees temp drop across the in and out lines of the oil.  Does it seem like it’s plugged and if so has anybody had any luck with a coolant flush?  I hesitant to do a harsh clean on the cooling system due to the nature of those cleaner but maybe it’s needed.  

otherwise how hard is it to pull out and clean?

Or could it be something else like a scavenger pump causing low flow?  The transmission works very well and doesn’t slip at all.  The machine pushes real hard all the time.

Thanks again for any help.
Drew
 

I am not experienced in that particular one, so I can't say definitively. But if you can check the oil line temp of the inlet and outlet from the heat exchange, it would give you an idea if any cooling is happening. Also, if possible a backflush of the oil cooler into a clean bucket would give more info also.
I hope someone didn't put the wrong oil into it along the way and have friction linings coming apart now.

Hi Drew, Check the torque converter scavenger pump. To check it remove the drain plug at the bottom of the torque converter and note the amount of oil drained. A large amount of oil indicates a scavenge pump problem. Check the strainer screen next to the drain plug also.
There is a service manual and all the other manuals for your D7E (even sales brochures) in the ACMOC library. You need to become a paying member to access them.
Craig

I’ll definitely be joining the club.  I didn’t realize you guys had service manuals online.
about the scavenger pump,  does it get weak and then the oil stops flowing through the cooler then?  Also is it easy to replace or rebuild?

thanks 

Hi Drew, If the scavenge pump fails to remove enough oil from the torque converter housing the torque converter will be flooded with oil and the friction of that will generate heat. The scavenge pump is easy to get to.   
When you have access to the library be sure to have a look at the OMI, they are listed as "Operator Instructions" in the index. The OMI contains much valuable info.
Craig

From my experience, either the water tubes in the heat exchanger are somewhat clogged or the converter seal rings etc are worn and letting out too much oil for the scavenge pump to cope with, I have never had to replace or repair a scavenge pump, however had to re race and re seal a number of converters.

Regards, Wombat

I agree with Wombat.
I do know of an example of a scavenge pump having to be replaced. I sold my D6D 4X73666 (I bought it new in 1981) to a friend in 2000. He told me sometime later that the transmission temperature was running too hot and he replaced the inter-cooler/heat exchanger. That didn't fix the problem so he had our Caterpillar dealership repair it. They reported that the scavenge pump needed replacing and they recommended the torque converter be rebuilt. He had all of it done and the problem was fixed.
I had rebuilt the powershift transmission myself before but my D6D had close to 27,000 hours on it when I sold it! The repairs were due.
That was the best Caterpillar I ever owned!
Craig