Transmission Cooler

[astroturf]

Jim, I don't have a regular interval but I believe the manufacturer recommended 48,000km is fine for average driving. My tranny has 250,000km and is still going strong. How often do you service yours?

Nor have I kept to the Manu Interval. It then makes better sense to me to use the best product, to buy yourself some extra protection.

The Amsoil ATF interval is 100,000 miles. As I said earlier, I did a pan drop, filter, and 5 qts at 150,000 miles. That allowed me to see inside the trans pan. With that under my belt, I will look for the opportunity to completely flush the system with 20 qts in the very near future. This will allow me to close the book on any future trans oil changes.

I have got a line on an old T-Tech trans flush machine. This machine hooks to the cooler lines, and is mechanical (not electronic). That is how I will perform the 20 qt flush (mechanically). Be very careful of the newer style flush machines.

Lost in a busy life too, Jim

[MountainManJoe]

I'd rather do a pan drop with cheaper fluid every 48k, so I can see what's going on inside, than to do a full flush with expensive stuff every 160k. What's the point of buying fancy fluid if it's just going to fill up with dirty clutch material?

[1Gary]

Not to rain on people's parade here.We have had threads where in full flushes resulted in leaking worn seals or other tranny issues. On stuff that has high miles on it,the cleanest might not be a good answer. Yeah,I know not the most popular thought..............

[astroturf]

To each their own...

Jim

PS Think of the lesser friction of a Full Synthetic Fluid.

[1Gary]

To each their own...

Jim

PS Think of the lesser friction of a Full Synthetic Fluid.

Yepper-the synthetic side of the question Dean and many others say they like.Cooler tranny temps I have heard.I would think after the first filter swap,you would take that advantage to put on a pan with a drain magnetic plug.

[astroturf]

Water makes a pretty good lubricant to sharpen a knife on a stone...

But, Oil is Better.

[silver mist AWD]

Hi-

New to the forum, but found this thread very helpful and joined up last night.

I first noticed hard shifting out of first gear after a long road trip in the mountains. We came down into Roswell NM, and after the first stop light there was a very hard slam into second. It did it a couple more times on the way to the motel.

The next morning (cold van and cold weather) there was no problem, but added a half a can of trans-x before leaving Rosewell for any benefit it might provide. The Van had about 116k miles, is a 2000 AWD and never had any problems like this. It has had regular maintainence and done very little towing.

I finished install of a tru-cool (9054 if I remember correct) rated for 18,000 lbs towing which is plenty for my needs. I found a nice stick of Aluminum to use across the bottom for a mount, and the supplied strapping for the top, leaving room for a fan if ever I decide to use one. I tied mine in with the top line going to the cooler. (Should be okay as far as typically not extreme cold here?)

I noticed most installations pictured here mount the units with both pipes facing the port side of the venicle. I did mine with both on top. I have seen factory installations on other vehicles this way. Any problems with that that anyone can articulate? A friend said it would be best if it held fluid rather than drained. At first drive it warms up well, so it is doing what it is supposed to, no leaks.

And as a last question, add comment, etc, I put off the messier job of filter/gasket replacement until later, perhaps wait until I can order a drain plug kit. Anyone know for sure that this method of total replacement of fluid works, and if you have done it, can you describe again exactly how you do it for me?

Thanks in advance. Off to do another test in the heat of the 102' day!

[astroturf]

Hi-

New to the forum, but found this thread very helpful and joined up last night.

Welcome Aboard!!!

I first noticed hard shifting out of first gear after a long road trip in the mountains. We came down into Roswell NM, and after the first stop light there was a very hard slam into second. It did it a couple more times on the way to the motel.

The next morning (cold van and cold weather) there was no problem, but added a half a can of trans-x before leaving Rosewell for any benefit it might provide. The Van had about 116k miles, is a 2000 AWD and never had any problems like this. It has had regular maintainence and done very little towing.

I have got to say that when my tranny begins to shift funny, it is generally due to a fluid level issue. Maybe only 2 oz low on stick, but a fluid level issue none the less. How many oz of trans=x went into the tranny? Do Not OverFill Your Tranny!!!

I finished install of a tru-cool (9054 if I remember correct) rated for 18,000 lbs towing which is plenty for my needs. I found a nice stick of Aluminum to use across the bottom for a mount, and the supplied strapping for the top, leaving room for a fan if ever I decide to use one. I tied mine in with the top line going to the cooler. (Should be okay as far as typically not extreme cold here?)

I noticed most installations pictured here mount the units with both pipes facing the port side of the venicle. I did mine with both on top. I have seen factory installations on other vehicles this way. Any problems with that that anyone can articulate? A friend said it would be best if it held fluid rather than drained. At first drive it warms up well, so it is doing what it is supposed to, no leaks.

How did the Manu instruct it to be put in? Sometimes they only show pictures, but if they don't show it mounted on the roof, it generally doesn't go there. I would contact them for clarification of a proper direction for install.

And as a last question, add comment, etc, I put off the messier job of filter/gasket replacement until later, perhaps wait until I can order a drain plug kit. Anyone know for sure that this method of total replacement of fluid works, and if you have done it, can you describe again exactly how you do it for me?

I would not dink around with a drain plug configuration. Service according to the Service Manual, and you will be fine. A pan drop will require about 5 qts of Atf. Use Amsoil, Like I do. Your trans will thank you for it.

Thanks in advance. Off to do another test in the heat of the 102' day!

Post up some Pix... We do have a Rule 6b.

LOLz, Jim

PS Again Welcome Aboard

[silver mist AWD]

Is there a way to post small 68 k byte pictures here without sending them to a host like photobucket or image shack first?

Other forums I am used to have an "additional options" feature where if the file is under a certain size it will take it without linking.

[astroturf]

Is there a way to post small 68 k byte pictures here without sending them to a host like photobucket or image shack first?

Other forums I am used to have an "additional options" feature where if the file is under a certain size it will take it without linking.

Why Yes There Is...

The box below your text reply is labeled: Upload attachment.

Click Browse, and Bob is yer Uncle.

Try it out, Jim

[MountainManJoe]

I noticed most installations pictured here mount the units with both pipes facing the port side of the venicle. I did mine with both on top. I have seen factory installations on other vehicles this way. Any problems with that that anyone can articulate? A friend said it would be best if it held fluid rather than drained.

The only difference I can see it making, is if you had an air bubble trapped inside the cooler. Convection -- warmer/thinner fluid rising -- might possibly have an effect too. I don't think it matters too much, but maybe there's a reason that the factory cooler flows bottom to top.

Here are some installation guidelines from B&M.

Here is a topic on the BobIsTheOilGuy forum: Overcool a transmission.

And here is a thermostat for $14

This is from the Hayden FAQ:
Q. Can you over cool the transmission fluid?
A. Transmissions are not highly sensitive to cool operating temperatures. However, in sub-zero (20-30° F) weather conditions transmission fluid can actually gel up in an external cooler and cease to flow, causing damage. Use of the radiator cooler actually helps warm the fluid under these conditions. It is critical in extreme cold conditions to use the original equipment cooler in series with the auxiliary cooler and allow the vehicle to warm up before driving.

[silver mist AWD]

I only added about a little over half a 12 oz. can of trans-x last January when the trouble first noticed.

On a long trip to Texas it again appeared a month ago, and then on shorter trips on the hiway it would slam into second after it was hot and back in stop and go traffic.

After adding the cooler I checked the level hot and it was just at the bottom of the cross hatched area so I added the rest of a the can of trans-x and a about 4oz. of transmission fluid.

I actually did not notice any instructions that came with my tru-cool kit, but maybe I misplaced them. The one I have seems to fit and mount better with the cooling fins horizontal, so that is the way I did it.

So far no such problems as before, seems like I am ready to tow. Filter and pan gasket will come later when I 'm in the mood to take a shower in hot transmission fluid (ha ha). I have the $10 kit ready to go, duralast from O'reily or Autozone more likely. Delco brand was 10x the price or somthining like that.

Photos are kind of cruddy, taken in low light with a camera designed for daylight, but it is an image. Not really ready to take the grill back off for a better pic.

[astroturf]

Hey that looks pretty good.

Sounds like you got the fluid level sorted out too.

What is an S10 kit?

Thanks, Jim

[silver mist AWD]

What is an S10 kit?

Oh that's not an "S" it's a "$." Duralast auto trans filter and pan gasket. I think I got it at Autozone.

[photo_van]

Well, finally did the cooler. Wish I had done it sooner as this oil change looked more like black cherry then "cherry" Also finally decided to change out the filter seal/o-ring this time. It was every bit the PITA I always thought it would be. For a regular maintenance item, the engineers fell short on that one!

Anyway, here are some picks from the cooler install (at least that was easy!)