Tranny cooler mod??

[SummitUp]

Originally Posted by guruerror

I've read that the 'stock cooler' is 'integrated' into the radiator, I assume that means that the tranny fluid line simply runs internally, back and forth across the radiator. In a stock setup does the tranny fluid line enter the stock radiator on the driver's side and and exit on the passenger side, vice versa, or does it snake back and forth across the radiator and enter and exit on the same side?

It doesn't do either of those. It simply runs vertically in the passenger side header tank of the radiator. A picture is worth a 1000 words:


The cooler is really nothing more than a thin wall metal pipe. If a small hole erodes through the pipe, coolant and tranny fluid mix and good by tranny.

Originally Posted by guruerror

Once the cooler is mounted is it really as simple as just disconnecting the tranny fluid hoses from the stock radiator (cutting new lengths) and plugging them into the cooler?

Well, in a word "Yes", but just realize it's much easier said than done!

[guruerror]

Originally Posted by SummitUp

...A picture is worth a 1000 words...

You are ABSOLUTELY correct. That was exactly what I needed to see. Thanks!

[pdxrealtor]

It really is an easy job. New cooler comes with fittings and hose. Nothing more to buy.

Sumitup--- I gotta ask you what the hell is going on with that picture?? You take that old radiator out for the 'perfect' shot ?? LOL

[guruerror]

Originally Posted by pdxrealtor

It really is an easy job. New cooler comes with fittings and hose. Nothing more to buy.

Sumitup--- I gotta ask you what the hell is going on with that picture?? You take that old radiator out for the 'perfect' shot ?? LOL

LOL! Very picturesque...

Originally Posted by SummitUp

[guruerror]

Originally Posted by pdxrealtor

It really is an easy job. New cooler comes with fittings and hose. Nothing more to buy.

Sumitup--- I gotta ask you what the hell is going on with that picture?? You take that old radiator out for the 'perfect' shot ?? LOL

Is there any significant quantity of tranny fluid sitting in the cooler? Or does it typically drain back down into the transmission once the engine stops and sets a bit?

I'm just trying to gauge the 'mess factor' and determine if I need to pick up another container of fluid.

[pdxrealtor]

Originally Posted by guruerror

Is there any significant quantity of tranny fluid sitting in the cooler? Or does it typically drain back down into the transmission once the engine stops and sets a bit?

I'm just trying to gauge the 'mess factor' and determine if I need to pick up another container of fluid.

You know.. if I remember right I barely had a drip, and it was at the external cooler that's mounted in front of the radiator.

I didn't replace any fluid, but I was headed to the tranny shop. If it's going to be a couple hundred miles before you make it to the tranny shop you might want to check the fluid....,

[SummitUp]

Originally Posted by pdxrealtor

Sumitup--- I gotta ask you what the hell is going on with that picture?? You take that old radiator out for the 'perfect' shot ?? LOL

HA HA! No, I just did a search in Google Images for Radiator Transmission Cooler.

[Egan]

Originally Posted by guruerror

Is there any significant quantity of tranny fluid sitting in the cooler? Or does it typically drain back down into the transmission once the engine stops and sets a bit?

I'm just trying to gauge the 'mess factor' and determine if I need to pick up another container of fluid.

I lost maybe a syringe full of tranny fluid when I cut the stock lines.

[guruerror]

Good to know...I ordered my cooler this afternoon.

[guruerror]

In reading through some of our threads and threads on other forums about tranny cooler mods it seems clear that the mod is primarily designed to do two things:

1. Lower tranny running temperatures
2. Safeguard against the failure of the stock, internal tranny cooler and the mixture of antifreeze and transmission fluid. (http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/s...t=tranny+burst)

This research led me to discover (as many of you may already know) that the engine oil is cooled in a similar manner on the driver's side of the stock radiator. Has anyone heard of/had a problem with this internal cooler failing and mixing antifreeze with engine oil?

[pdxrealtor]

Originally Posted by guruerror

In reading through some of our threads and threads on other forums about tranny cooler mods it seems clear that the mod is primarily designed to do two things:

1. Lower tranny running temperatures
2. Safeguard against the failure of the stock, internal tranny cooler and the mixture of antifreeze and transmission fluid. (http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/s...t=tranny+burst)

This research led me to discover (as many of you may already know) that the engine oil is cooled in a similar manner on the driver's side of the stock radiator. Has anyone heard of/had a problem with this internal cooler failing and mixing antifreeze with engine oil?

You know.. I wondered this also.

[guruerror]

I mean...it looks like the same damn setup on each side.

[LoJac963]

good hell, no wonder I've been seeing quite a few overheating threads in the hotter states like mine recently. One radiator doing the job of 3 things, oil cooler, tranny cooler, coolant cooler.......

I would assume with the issues regarding the tranny and radiator it could just as easily happen to the oil side also.

[guruerror]

Tru-Cool MAX (4739-1) arrived today. Here's my question, I'm due for a tranny flush soon, should I do the flush first then install the cooler, vice versa, or does it really not matter?

[pdxrealtor]

I asked myself the exact same question and here's what I came up with.

Do the tranny cooler install first, drive it for a while, and then get the flush. If the tranny shop f's your truck up and you've had the cooler installed and working fine for a while you know it's not the tranny cooler you installed right after they flushed it.

I didn't have a shop I trusted, and tranny flushes have been known to cause problems so I wanted everything installed and known to be working fine before I handed my truck over to someone who I didn't know.

[Egan]

Originally Posted by guruerror

Tru-Cool MAX (4739-1) arrived today. Here's my question, I'm due for a tranny flush soon, should I do the flush first then install the cooler, vice versa, or does it really not matter?

Flush after - that way you flush out any shavings or oils left over from the cooler manufacturing process, as well as any debris you introduced during the installation.

[guruerror]

Originally Posted by pdxrealtor

I asked myself the exact same question and here's what I came up with.

Do the tranny cooler install first, drive it for a while, and then get the flush. If the tranny shop f's your truck up and you've had the cooler installed and working fine for a while you know it's not the tranny cooler you installed right after they flushed it.

I didn't have a shop I trusted, and tranny flushes have been known to cause problems so I wanted everything installed and known to be working fine before I handed my truck over to someone who I didn't know.

Originally Posted by Egan

Flush after - that way you flush out any shavings or oils left over from the cooler manufacturing process, as well as any debris you introduced during the installation.

Both very good points...I'm glad I asked. Thanks!

I guess I got my weekend project.

[pdxrealtor]