VE SS trans cooler issues after fitting

[RiCeY]

You shouldn't bypass the factory cooler. Remember, the copper/brass heat exchanger is in direct contact with your engine coolant which means it's MUCH more efficient at transferring heat than a heat exchanger exposed only to air. Best to run them in series to get any real benefit.

Coolant temps are up to 105 degrees so I don't see how an air cooler would be less efficient.

 

[EYY]

Coolant temps are up to 105 degrees so I don't see how an air cooler would be less efficient.

Most people go out and buy a small cooler for $100-150 or so and expect it to replace the factory transmission cooler altogether. The factory setup means that the trans fluid is kept at a more consistent temperature both in warmer and cooler climates as it's regulated by the thermo fans and thermostat. If you pull a radiator apart you'll see how small the factory coolers are.

If you wanted to do it properly and wanted to cool the transmission more effectively with a standalone system, you'd need to spend a fair bit of cash on an inline thermostat, decent cooler and possibly a thermo fan depending on the available area and size of the transmission cooler.

I don't like the idea of bypassing the stock system - I feel it's a better idea to supplement it. Best of both worlds that way.

 

[RiCeY]

You can buy coolers with a mounted fan and temp switch all built in, works mint.

 

[RiCeY]

I'm not a fan of the risk of the rad cooler failing and introducing coolant into the transmission, happens more than you'd think.

 

[Big O]

must admit I agree about the risk of exchanging fluids in the event of a leak with it going through the radiator. also by bypassing the radiator you take some load of the engine cooling.

 

[lazyc]

Haven't driven a auto in years, does the radiator cooler also warm the fluid in colder weather?
Also QLD no colder weather...

 

[ChRiDDa]

The other issue is that if you bypass the radiator component and have the cooler running ‘stand alone’, there could be issues if you get caught in stop/start traffic, as there will previous little cool air passing through the cooler

Just a though

 

[Big O]

Problem with the radiator component is its not a cooler. it raises the temp of the trans oil quickly so the car meets emissions standards (to about 105degC), by bypassing the radiator it should never get that hot even in traffic. that's the theory anyway. Transmission oil should be run basically as cool as you can get it.

 

[EYY]

Problem with the radiator component is its not a cooler. it raises the temp of the trans oil quickly so the car meets emissions standards (to about 105degC), by bypassing the radiator it should never get that hot even in traffic. that's the theory anyway. Transmission oil should be run basically as cool as you can get it.

Not a cooler? You may need to do a little more research. 105c is ENGINE temp, not radiator temp. The cooler is usually on the cool side of the radiator which wouldn’t likely exceed 90 degrees Celsius.

Delete the cooler altogether and see how long the trans lasts. You DO NOT want the trans running as cool as possible - you need it to get hot enough to burn any moisture off. That’s why when you fit a very large aftermarket cooler, you should fit a thermostat.

As for cracked factory coolers, that’s pretty rare. Even the manufacturers of most trans coolers recommend you run them in series.

 

[426Cuda]

Not a cooler? You may need to do a little more research. 105c is ENGINE temp, not radiator temp. The cooler is usually on the cool side of the radiator which wouldn’t likely exceed 90 degrees Celsius.

Delete the cooler altogether and see how long the trans lasts. You DO NOT want the trans running as cool as possible - you need it to get hot enough to burn any moisture off. That’s why when you fit a very large aftermarket cooler, you should fit a thermostat.

As for cracked factory coolers, that’s pretty rare. Even the manufacturers of most trans coolers recommend you run them in series.

Correct.
I was told by a trans specialist years ago that fitting a cooler in front of the radiator, while bypassing the factory cooler could cause the engine to overheat. Due to less airflow and the introduction of a large heat sync in front of the radiator. That was on my VH S/LE. Of course that wouldn't apply if the cooler was fitted elsewhere.
Where are the aftermarket trans coolers fitted on the VF's?