B&M external cooler install underway. Need help!

[jaredking733]

So, everything is installed and ready to roll. I just took her down the road for a bit to return some unused supplies to advance auto.

After checking for leaks, I decided to touch the cooler and see what it felt like. It's pretty hot to the touch. Is this normal? The reason I'm concerned is I don't remember my last one getting hot, but it wasn't exactly a quality unit like this one is, so I don't know what to think.

Anyone else's cooler get pretty hot?

 

[kball]

It should be as hot as your trans fluid is. If your fluid is up around 180 it will definitely feel hot to the touch.

 

[jaredking733]

It should be as hot as your trans fluid is. If your fluid is up around 180 it will definitely feel hot to the touch.

Ok, I was just surprised because my last one never got this hot, though I can't explain why.

I have a Bluetooth obd2 tool on the way so I will know precise temperatures here pretty soon. That way I'll know if this is normal.

 

[kball]

The heat should go from the tubes to the fins to escape. It's obviously working with your B&M but your old one probably was not a great design so the heat wasn't able to escape well. So the fins on that one never got very hot.

 

[jaredking733]

The heat should go from the tubes to the fins to escape. It's obviously working with your B&M but your old one probably was not a great design so the heat wasn't able to escape well. So the fins on that one never got very hot.

That's probably it. The old one was just way less efficient. It was the single tube ran back and forth a couple times through heat sinks design. This one seems much better.

14,400 BTU should be plenty of cooling for most scenarios.

 

[ridefast]

I installed this cooler yesterday, yes the hoses on the steel lines were a pita to get off. I ended up using a small utility knife and a few precise cuts and they both came off.
I did notice that the unit was hot but I figure its normal and displacing heat as it should. I also did a drain and fill on the tranny with Castrol IMV (took 4 qt) and my truck runs as good as ever. Shifts just as it did when new!

Because I had the front skid off I decided to flush and put in all new OEM coolant, thermostat, upper and lower hoses.

 

[jaredking733]

Would it be possible to scan the return part of the cooler with one of those handheld thermometers with the laser to get an idea of the fluid temp?

Trying to figure out a way to get a temp reading without installing a gauge.

 

[kball]

Before I had a gauge I used one of those thermometers and pointed it at the pan just to get an idea. Obviously it won't be the same as the actual fluid but I would think it would be close enough to give you a clue.