Help me out here with this post. I am looking at a PDF manual for the 03 V8 4runner.
Your post starts off by saying "The little oil cooler in front of the radiator the engine oil cooler, not the tranny." then the next paragraph indicates the tranny has an oil line running into the radiator.
Hmmm. This may be the case, but the toyota manual shows only one tranny oil cooler and this sits in front of the radiator itself. So does that mean that an 03-05 V8 has two transmission oil coolers (one in the radiator and one sitting right infront of the radiator)
Now, is there an additional small cooler (similar in size to the tranny cooler) wich is designed to cool down the ENGINE oil?
The reason why I ask is while I was doing an oil change, I noticed that there are two ports on the housing where the oil filter screws onto. These ports have removable bolts (which when removed oil spills out). Now the pdf calls this specific piece a "ENGINE OIL COOLER" but there are lines poking out of it. Now do those lines lead anywhere. I must also add that the two ports that I can see on the spacer/block looking attachment identified on the IPB as # 3 that the actual oil filter screws onto has two flush ports vs two ports that have arms extending outwards like in the picture (the picture is for an 03 V8 vs my 05 V8).
Now, are those arms the in and out lines for the oil filter itself. Thats great if they are... but then what the hell are the two ports that are capped off for?
Help? Perhaps I am just having a brain overload, I know I have a blistering headache, but cripe... I am confused.
BTW, I have an 05 V8 FWD Sprt.
bulldog-yota said:
The little oil cooler in front of the radiator the engine oil cooler, not the tranny.
The tranny has oil line running into the radiator itself, it is on the passenger side. I think it has a self contained unit within the side tank of the radiator for oil to water cooling. CHeck for yourself on the side, see pics below. First one shows connections on radiator highlighted in red. Second pics is a bit out of focus but you can read A/T oil on it. This is actually where they tap into the system to flush the tranny oil.
I believe all V8's had it not sure about the V6, but I think they have it as well.
You dont really need an extra tranny oil cooler with this system, unless you plan on towing heavy loads up steep hills in hot weather. Rather just have it flushed every 30K miles or so. I had mine flushed at the dealer at 20K, make sure they put the right ATF fluid in. I might put in Amsoil after the warranty expires at 60K or so, but till then it is Toyota ATF type IV for me and the 2004 is ATF WS I believe.