Transmission Cooler & Temperature Gauge Question -- 2008 V8 SE

[webby]

Webby - just ordered the same cooler you got from Amazon. How's it been working out for you? Much lower temps than before you installed? Even when towing/etc?

Towed my new 21ft 4,200 lb travel trailer home the other day and temps crept up to close to 230 with torque converter unlocked. That's too high for me, especially since the temp was only like 60...

Hoping it's been working well for you.

First, even though I live and drive in Phoenix, AZ in the extreme high temps in summer, trans temps for my everyday driving throughout the city in the summer have NEVER been an issue, before or after changing out the OEM V8 external trans cooler for the larger aftermarket one. IIRC, the trans temp in the city, once the drive train is warmed up, run in the range of 174 to 190-95. They never even break 200 degrees, even in 110 degree weather, even with a lot of idling with the AC running.

The higher trans temps that I was seeing that concerned me were ONLY when towing our 21.5 travel trailer from an elevation of 1100' to 7700' in 120 miles. There the temps before the trans cooler upgrade, when climbing long steep grades, would get up to 220, and occasionally 230-234 very very briefly. So I installed the larger aftermarket trans cooler late in last years camping season. I only had one or two trips with it last season, and have had just one camping trip with it so far this season, so it will take longer to get a good read on the temps. But I have seen a drop of maybe 15 degrees or so when towing, though I would have liked to see a greater drop. Later in the camping season, after more trips, I'll try to remember to come on here and give a better report of trans temps.

One thing that living in the desert for many years taught me is that with my vehicles, every other year in the Spring, I always have the cooling system professionally flushed (in a quality repair shop, with a machine for that purpose), along with detailed inspection of the hoses and belts. I have found this cooling system flush every other Spring has kept me from having cooling system breakdowns in the summer heat, plus keeps the coolant temps down. If I am towing a lot, I also have the transmission professionally flushed and changed every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. I suggest that you consider having a good shop perform those professional flushes. Your temps towing in 60 degree weather sound inordinately high to me. Good luck!

Pardon my ignorance on this topic, but how, and also why, would one unlock the torque converter?

 

[stanleybb50]

First, even though I live and drive in Phoenix, AZ in the extreme high temps in summer, trans temps for my everyday driving throughout the city in the summer have NEVER been an issue, before or after changing out the OEM V8 external trans cooler for the larger aftermarket one. IIRC, the trans temp in the city, once the drive train is warmed up, run in the range of 174 to 190-95. They never even break 200 degrees, even in 110 degree weather, even with a lot of idling with the AC running.

The higher trans temps that I was seeing that concerned me were ONLY when towing our 21.5 travel trailer from an elevation of 1100' to 7700' in 120 miles. There the temps before the trans cooler upgrade, when climbing long steep grades, would get up to 220, and occasionally 230-234 very very briefly. So I installed the larger aftermarket trans cooler late in last years camping season. I only had one or two trips with it last season, and have had just one camping trip with it so far this season, so it will take longer to get a good read on the temps. But I have seen a drop of maybe 15 degrees or so when towing, though I would have liked to see a greater drop. Later in the camping season, after more trips, I'll try to remember to come on here and give a better report of trans temps.

One thing that living in the desert for many years taught me is that with my vehicles, every other year in the Spring, I always have the cooling system professionally flushed (in a quality repair shop, with a machine for that purpose), along with detailed inspection of the hoses and belts. I have found this cooling system flush every other Spring has kept me from having cooling system breakdowns in the summer heat, plus keeps the coolant temps down. If I am towing a lot, I also have the transmission professionally flushed and changed every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. I suggest that you consider having a good shop perform those professional flushes. Your temps towing in 60 degree weather sound inordinately high to me. Good luck!

Pardon my ignorance on this topic, but how, and also why, would one unlock the torque converter?

Cool! Thanks for the report!

I actually plan to do the below flush essentially when I change the cooler, so I'll have all new fluid in there.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/68462-diy-full-flush-automatic-transmission.html

And I meant whenever the torque converter unlocks to climb a hill/around town on its own is where I see those increases in temp. When it locks back up they drop back down. Our 4runners only really lock in 4th and 5th to the best of my knowledge also.

Thanks again.

 

[stanleybb50]

Cool! Thanks for the report!

I actually plan to do the below flush essentially when I change the cooler, so I'll have all new fluid in there.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/68462-diy-full-flush-automatic-transmission.html

And I meant whenever the torque converter unlocks to climb a hill/around town on its own is where I see those increases in temp. When it locks back up they drop back down. Our 4runners only really lock in 4th and 5th to the best of my knowledge also.

Thanks again.

Did this today to my '06 v8 4runner 4wd. Same basic setup as the Taco. I also installed the bigger transmission cooler (replaced the dinky little stock towing package one with a B&M 70264). Tight fit, but I got it installed.

I only did the drain the pan, and one "starting the engine" for 3 more quarts though. (I recommend a very good oil pump for the refills). Mine was a piece if #&*@ Harbor Freight unit that just sucked... I had half a quart ON ME both times I went for a refill... That's my biggest advice - get a good pump before you start... I was effing pissed... Lol

I'll probably do two more drain/fills with the left over fluid. But probably not until next year or something... Lol. Don't feel like getting back under there anytime soon...

If it means anything my 4runner has 60k mike's and the fluid was very dark, but smelled exactly the same as the new stuff.

I'll try to report back on his the cooler does both when I tow and my commute to/from work. I usually hover right around 200 on the way home from work in heavy stop/go driving..

It's very solid btw:

 

[MICA4R]