Transmission cooler in / out hoses?

[j4run]

I've read about a thousand posts on doing a transmission fluid swap, and these have conflicting information on which hose is the input or output _at the cooler_ (not at the transmission). For a 2008 4Runner limited, with towing package (i.e., with factory transmission cooler, mounted in front of the engine radiator), can anyone tell me, unambiguously, the direction of flow _at the cooler_. In other words, would I attach a hose to the top cooler fitting, or to the hose from the transmission to the top cooler fitting, to catch transmission fluid?

Thanks!

 

[Gatafly]

I forget which one it is at the moment, but you can look under the front end and see which line goes back to the tranny on the drivers side and which line goes on the passenger side. The one on the driver side is the return line to the tranny. Fluid flows from the tranny along the passenger side, through the cooler and returns on the drivers side.

 

[keakar]

I've read about a thousand posts on doing a transmission fluid swap, and these have conflicting information on which hose is the input or output _at the cooler_ (not at the transmission). For a 2008 4Runner limited, with towing package (i.e., with factory transmission cooler, mounted in front of the engine radiator), can anyone tell me, unambiguously, the direction of flow _at the cooler_. In other words, would I attach a hose to the top cooler fitting, or to the hose from the transmission to the top cooler fitting, to catch transmission fluid?

Thanks!

ya, i went through the same thing and its not very clear from the posts that talk about it, they kinda gloss right over which hose is in or out.

take the top hose loose and the cooler fitting is the outflow so use a 3/8" clear tubing on that which goes to your container.

i found it best to use a big hose to fit "over" the 3/8" hose on the truck and allow the best flow for refilling. then stick a funnel in the 3/4" hose and tape it good so it doesnt drip. i then took the hanger hole on that funnel and a plastic wire tie and secured it up by the radiator so it doesnt move or tip over while refilling.

buy one of those big over sized funnels for this job, something that holds at least a full quart and a half. i found it takes about 2-3 minutes per 1/2 quart in the funnel to drain into the hose so it takes patience but i just dump a 1/2 qt and go watch TV then go dump another 1/2 qt

 

[j4run]

Keakar -

Thanks! I think there's also some confusion because some have an external transmission cooler and some don't. Not sure the flow is the same.

Nice description of your method - sounds like an easy way to do it.

 

[Drcoffee]

Think of it logically. Where is the coolest coolant going to be in the radiator? Down where the large radiator hose supplies the engine with the cooled coolant. It would not make sense to have the ATF flow from the bottom to the top port where the coolant is still hotter.

The ATF flows in the top port, down through the radiator where the coolant temp is lower, and exits the bottom port back to the transmission.

 

[[email protected]]

Transmission Cooler Lines - where buy?

I have an 01 Ltd. The line from the transmission to the oil cooler in the radiator came off of the radiator. It looks like the threads in the radiator stripped. So I bought a new one.
Problem is I haven't been able to find a replacement hose, with the fitting.
I attached a few pics
Can anyone tell me where to find the hose, with the proper fittings?

 

[OopsIBrokeIt]

[MENTION=753755][email protected][/MENTION]

If you have an 01 as specified you're probably in the wrong place. 4th gen was 03-09.

That said I think we can still help you. The hoses are almost universally just rubber hoses that slip on and get clamped in place somehow. The fitting you're looking for is normally a permanent part of the radiator that somehow has pulled straight out of the rad in your case.

Get some pliers on the metal bit at the end of that hose, grab the hose firmly and twist them in opposite directions till you work the old busted fitting out of your transmission line. Install new rad, stick new or old hose onto the barb, and top off fluids as needed.

 

[RichN]

Think of it logically. Where is the coolest coolant going to be in the radiator? Down where the large radiator hose supplies the engine with the cooled coolant. It would not make sense to have the ATF flow from the bottom to the top port where the coolant is still hotter.

The ATF flows in the top port, down through the radiator where the coolant temp is lower, and exits the bottom port back to the transmission.

This makes logical sense, but it contradicts what most people are saying. Are you speaking from experience or just how you would have designed it?