Stupid Radiator Question...

[Brian757]

Hey guys, this is going to sound stupid because I am not thinking properly and I know it.

But I am considering purchasing a trans cooler for my transmission. I wanted to do the B&M 70268. However, once you have bypassed the radiator and built your own cooler, where does the transmission cooler get coolant? Do you have to periodically check the trans cooler like you do the radiator? "How does the new cooler get coolant" i guess is my question.

Please explain. Again, I know its a stupid question. I just need to logistics before I start it.

 

[02_SE_Runner]

Hey guys, this is going to sound stupid because I am not thinking properly and I know it.

But I am considering purchasing a trans cooler for my transmission. I wanted to do the B&M 70268. However, once you have bypassed the radiator and built your own cooler, where does the transmission cooler get coolant? Do you have to periodically check the trans cooler like you do the radiator? "How does the new cooler get coolant" i guess is my question.

Please explain. Again, I know its a stupid question. I just need to logistics before I start it.

The ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) goes through the new cooler, and comes out cooler feeding back to the transmission. The whole reason to use a separate cooler from the radiator is so the ATF doesn't meat any coolant at all, causing a pink milkshake. (The Transmission doesn't get any coolant at all, it's just ATF being cooled.) The Transmission pushes (Warm/Hot) liquid through the new cooler and it takes back cooler liquid in turn cooling the tranny.

 

[mikebontoft]

right, no coolant. you can leave the ports open on the radiator, they may drip for a bit if you don't flush it dry.

the fluid is air cooled.

 

[Brian757]

The ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) goes through the new cooler, and comes out cooler feeding back to the transmission. The hole reason to use a separate cooler from the radiator is so the ATF doesn't meat any coolant at all, causing a pink milkshake. (The Transmission doesn't get any coolant at all, it's just ATF being cooled.) The Transmission pushes (Warm/Hot) liquid through the new cooler and it takes back cooler liquid in turn cooling the tranny.

Very good info man! Thanks. So how do I fill the cooler with ATF?
...Another stupid question.

 

[mikebontoft]

you could fill it up a bit if you wanted to, but the fluid is pressurized.

 

[Brian757]

you could fill it up a bit if you wanted to, but the fluid is pressurized.

Alright. I think I'm being too vague.
So say I install the new cooler on the AC condenser. The two pipes are hooked up and ready to go. Right? So I crank my car. Now I installed the cooler empty. Do I need to fill it? Or is there somewhere else that I need to fill up? Or are you saying that I don't need to add any ATF after a new cooler? Sorry mike, I am so confused about this system. I don't know why either. I guess I don't understand the tranny ATF system well enough.

 

[02_SE_Runner]

right, no coolant. you can leave the ports open on the radiator, they may drip for a bit if you don't flush it dry.

the fluid is air cooled.

You can put a hose between the two ports, so if your radiator does go, you aren't stuck with liquid all over the ground.

Very good info man! Thanks. So how do I fill the cooler with ATF?
...Another stupid question.

You don't, you fill your transmission with ATF. The ATF goes through the cooler to cool the liquid. Let me make you a little picture:
Go clock wise.
T=Transmission
IC=INLET Cooler
OC=Outlet
The lines -|\ = fuel lines
This is the way the fluids work with the new cooler/anycooler.
T------IC
| |
\------OC

 

[02_SE_Runner]

Alright. I think I'm being too vague.
So say I install the new cooler on the AC condenser. The two pipes are hooked up and ready to go. Right? So I crank my car. Now I installed the cooler empty. Do I need to fill it? Or is there somewhere else that I need to fill up? Or are you saying that I don't need to add any ATF after a new cooler? Sorry mike, I am so confused about this system. I don't know why either. I guess I don't understand the tranny ATF system well enough.

You instal on the radiator (I guess you can call it AC Condensor.) You hook up the two lines (not pipes) two the new cooler. (No you do not need to fill it, it will fill itself) I would top off the ATF a bit for any liquid that came out. You dont HAVE to add anymore ATF, but I would put a little bit in to add to what spilled.

 

[Brian757]

You install on the radiator (I guess you can call it AC Condenser.) You hook up the two lines (not pipes) two the new cooler. (No you do not need to fill it, it will fill itself) I would top off the ATF a bit for any liquid that came out. You don't HAVE to add anymore ATF, but I would put a little bit in to add to what spilled.

Well, you have a radiator and an AC condenser. I am going to mount it on the front of the AC compressor. And as far as pressurized, do I need to get any air out of the system? Or does it not need to be purged?

 

[02_SE_Runner]

Well, you have a radiator and an AC condenser. I am going to mount it on the front of the AC compressor. And as far as pressurized, do I need to get any air out of the system? Or does it not need to be purged?

Park your car, let it cool for however long until your transmission is pretty cool, (Have some shop towels (a clean bucket/catch will help) unplug/cut your transmission lines, plug them in/(new lines) into the new cooler. No purging is really necessary. In fact I unplugged my transmission cooler lines on our 65 mustang yesterday to re route the lines. Never purged anything.

 

[awpsome]

if you really wanted to add more ATF to your new trans cooler or feel like its low, go through the trans dip stick.
problem solved.


whole point to an ext trans cooler is because our stock radiators are dual purpose with engine coolant on the top portion and ATF on the bottom portion. the reason for this milkshake between the two can happen by poor maintenance or just sheer bad luck.
in the stock radiator the two fluid are separated by gaskets and should never mix. but since gaskets can go bad thats why they can end up mixing and engine coolant in your trans is a no no.

so in the stock radiator, to clarify the fluids are not mixing and are not supposed to.
the coolant you pour into your radiator is strictly for your engine coolant and doing nothing for your trans.

 

[tee-bone]

Once you have hooked up the new external transmission cooler, you will probably need to add a little transmission fluid (like normal, via the transmission dipstick location). I had to add a quart and a half, as I recall - but that was for a new radiator plus the external cooler, in series.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

but that was for a new radiator plus the external cooler, in series.

Just curious why you would run them in series? The whole point of the external cooler is to GUARANTEE you'll never get the pink milkshake. By running them in series you just lost that guarantee.

 

[TheDurk]

Just curious why you would run them in series? The whole point of the external cooler is to GUARANTEE you'll never get the pink milkshake. By running them in series you just lost that guarantee.

In cold climates, you have the benefit that the in-radiator cooler acts as a warmer at start-up once the radiator has warmed up, bringing the tranny to a normal operating temp faster, improving its performance. I don't know jack about slushboxes, having never owned one, but this makes sense to me, especially if you were in Alaska or some place like that.

In his case, he has a new radiator, so the milkshake risk is minimal.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

In cold climates, you have the benefit that the in-radiator cooler acts as a warmer at start-up once the radiator has warmed up, bringing the tranny to a normal operating temp faster, improving its performance. I don't know jack about slushboxes, having never owned one, but this makes sense to me, especially if you were in Alaska or some place like that.

In his case, he has a new radiator, so the milkshake risk is minimal.

I don't know, I think the risk far outweighs the benefit here. And I'd think by the time the thermostat opens,the tranny fluid would already be up to temperature.

 

[Doc2012]

The hole reason to use a separate cooler from the radiator is so the ATF doesn't meat any coolant at all, causing a pink milkshake. (The Transmission doesn't get any coolant at all, it's just ATF being cooled.) The Transmission pushes (Warm/Hot) liquid through the new cooler and it takes back cooler liquid in turn cooling the tranny.

If its a hole reason, then it wouldnt work out too well.

What kind of meat is in the tranny anyway?

LMFAO.

Sorry man. I had to.

I agree with ^^ when he said that it defeats the purpose of installing a tranny cooler. If you're installing a COOLER, then why the hell would you want to heat it back up with the stock radiator?

I feel the point of being in Alaska or some cold ass place like that is irrelevant. If it's that cold, they usually start the truck and let it warm for a few minutes, at least getting the engine warm, and the tranny will follow suit.

I installed my tranny cooler on the outside of the AC condensor, behing the grille. Haven't had any issues, and it's been like that for two years now.

I DID top off the tranny though. You're extending the lines, and giving it a bigger resivoir to fill, as well as loosing all the fluid that's in the stock cooler.

 

[TheDurk]

Hey, I didn't say I agreed with it. I have read people making that argument. As I said, I know jack all about slushboxes.

I do know this: BMW's have to have their ATF fluid checked at a specific temp range--warm, but not real hot (86°F-131°F on an e36). It takes forever for a cold box to warm to that temp, way after the thermostat has been open for several minutes. This is on a normal fall day, cause I don't do that stuff when it's really cold. It's easier to drive it hard, and wait for it to cool off. So I think the Alaska argument may have some merit, but as I said, I know jack all about slushboxes and don't care much, either.

 

[02_SE_Runner]

If its a hole reason, then it wouldnt work out too well.

What kind of meat is in the tranny anyway?

LMFAO.

Sorry man. I had to.

I agree with ^^ when he said that it defeats the purpose of installing a tranny cooler. If you're installing a COOLER, then why the hell would you want to heat it back up with the stock radiator?

I feel the point of being in Alaska or some cold ass place like that is irrelevant. If it's that cold, they usually start the truck and let it warm for a few minutes, at least getting the engine warm, and the tranny will follow suit.

I installed my tranny cooler on the outside of the AC condensor, behing the grille. Haven't had any issues, and it's been like that for two years now.

I DID top off the tranny though. You're extending the lines, and giving it a bigger resivoir to fill, as well as loosing all the fluid that's in the stock cooler.

What are ye' talkin' 'bout mate? :shrug: lol

Anyways:

Usually you will be fine unless you are in about -20f thru -30f until ATF will start to gel. You won't really warm up the tranny JUST by starting it. You need to drive it for it to properly warm. There was a member here who checked his temps before and after a cooler install, with a 10 minute warm up, they had the same temperature after that ten minutes regardless of the cooler. The cooler/radiator wont help warm up the tranny any much more than cooler "would".

 

[mikebontoft]

I feel like this thread is slowly lowering my IQ.

Any other questions? I wanna answer something.

 

[shootmymime]

I feel the point of being in Alaska or some cold ass place like that is irrelevant. If it's that cold, they usually start the truck and let it warm for a few minutes, at least getting the engine warm, and the tranny will follow suit.

having this warming process is the only thing that is keeping me from doing a tranny cooler. for a few months here in idaho it was -20 at night easy. starting the truck in the morning the gear oil in the rear axle was just about a block of ice. the brakes were frozen, the tranny fluid was moving so slow through the torque converter that i was at 3000 rpm before my truck would even start moving. now thats hard on the truck to be that cold and not move even with letting it warm up. when it was that cold even driving around a lot i never saw the temp on my ultra gauge get above 165 for my coolant.

the only way for fluid to circulate through your tranny is if its in any gear or neutral. thats why you check your tranny fluid in natural because its circulating through the system.

Usually you will be fine unless you are in about -20f thru -30f until ATF will start to gel. You won't really warm up the tranny JUST by starting it. You need to drive it for it to properly warm.

your exactly right. you have to drive it or it in neutral for it to be warmed up by the coolant. in the radiator.