Auto Transmission Cooler

[Colinp]

hi,
Just wanting to know what brand auto coolers have people fitted to their Dmax, any concerns or problems with the brand of cooler they fitted, or if fitted has it improved the situation.
I have a 2010 Dmax, just returned from a recent trip the the Sunshine Coast and while going up the the track at Mt Mothar outside of Gympie not the sort of track that I would have expected the dash Trans oil warning light came on.
Just pulled over for a while seemed to rectify the situation. Trans oil checked plenty of oil.

will be getting the auto serviced and fitting an after market cooler and temp gauge..

 

[BUSHNUT]

Hi Col,
I had my mob that service my D Max put one in mine , a tip is to put your auto in low 1 when doing heavy work by selecting it in that , don't leave it in D . Now that I have put KM2's on , just a 5 mm difference in diameter , I find it a bit touchy on temp so am about to put a fan that I can switch on manually when
I am going to do extended uphill work . I have found the same as you , stopping and turn off motor and then turn it on again and proceed seems to work, but I wonder if It is affecting the tranny oil .

If you ring Gerald at Mammi Motors at Somerville , either talk to him or Daniel , they will point you in the right direction . They have been servicing my vehicles for years , wife's and both sons .

Gerald also drives a D Max for a work truck , took it up to the Cape last year along the telegraph track .

Just tell him that Ian from Somerville Optical said to ask him .

 

[Colinp]

Thanks bushnut,
Will give them ring and have a chat, I am also running the km2 tryes, lift bullbar, winch etc
Will still have tne auto serviced and oil changed.
Will try using low 1 next time.

Thanks for the advise the extra fan sounds a good idea, also by installing a temp gauge will also help me monitor tne auto temp a bit better.
Must say that it is the only issue I have really had with tne dmax

 

[muc the truck]

I have a 18'' fined round aluminium trans cooler that increases fluid capaicity by about a litre on a 2010 Colorado , same as dmax .
its bought the operational temp down by 20 degres for normal driving but given time and hard slogs it still will get to over 120 degres according to the scangauge . It just takes a lot longer and happens far less often.

fits in front of aircon behind grill.

 

[Croozer]

Give the guys a call at Wholesale Auto's in Bayswater. They are top in the field when it comes to auto's. They are always friendly to help or suggest an upgrade.

 

[Colinp]

Thanks muck the truck and Croozer for the info, prefer to do it right the first time than spend good money and find out later that there is a better option.

 

[muc the truck]

Thanks muck the truck and Croozer for the info, prefer to do it right the first time than spend good money and find out later that there is a better option.

If your after the best money can buy go for a fan forced trans cooler .
can be mounted anywhere it will fit . fan can be fitted to a temp switch on the cooler.

There is one similar to this on armygedon the army burn out car .
6AN Flare Automatic Transmission OIL Cooler 10" Thermo FAN Temp Switch BY PWR | eBay

I have this type

18" Finned Trans Cooler Holden Ford Chev Torana Drag | eBay

They can be mounted under the car along the chassis , there strong and resist stones , mine is mounted behind the grill . what sold me on this is after seeing one bent and twisted on a wrecked 4x4 mounted exposed on the roo bar it remained sealed.


Despite what some people say you have no warm up ideal temp for a transmission unless your in the snow and sub zero temps , Then transmission is a little firm to change for the first few gear changes. after that its ready to go on as normal . When your in conditions like this you normally warm up the car before driving off so you can have the heater on defrost so the auto is already heated up from sub zero . If you can keep your transmission under 100 degrees its whole life your likely to out live 3 or 4 clutch replacements on manual transmission. that adds up to about 5 grand or more on some 4x4.

If I was buying a second hand auto , I would look for one fitted with a cooler over one with out .

 

[smoush1954]

Dmax Oil Cooler

Hi
I have a 2011 DMAX and tow a camper, about 1500kg. I have done the Tanami, Gibb River, Mitchell Plateau, Cape Leveque etc and never noticed any problems with the auto transmission. One of the first questions I asked the dealer when I bought it was is an oil cooler required. He was quite definite in saying no. The transmission was built to handle it.

Have there been many occurrences where people have had auto tranny problems caused by overheating? If so, I will need to re-assess before my next trip.

Thanks. Any advice will be appreciated.

 

[Frankensurf]

Not a Dmax, but a 2.4 Hilux Surf. Overheating AT oil is very common in these and there wouldn't be too many auto Surfs getting around without an aftermarket cooler.

This one was recommended to me: HYDRA-COOL UNIVERSAL V8 TRANS COOLER (21 Plate) - PART No: 678

I haven't had a single problem with AT temp since fitting it a few years ago. Prior to that, the warning light would come on when driving long steep hills or soft sand.

 

[Stupid Flanders]

Not a Dmax, but a 2.4 Hilux Surf. Overheating AT oil is very common in these and there wouldn't be too many auto Surfs getting around without an aftermarket cooler.

This one was recommended to me: HYDRA-COOL UNIVERSAL V8 TRANS COOLER (21 Plate) - PART No: 678

I haven't had a single problem with AT temp since fitting it a few years ago. Prior to that, the warning light would come on when driving long steep hills or soft sand.

Dont forget that lots of surf models have an internal trans cooler in the lower radiator section that slightly blocks the lower radiator outlet which also causes the engine to run cool.

 

[Stupid Flanders]

Hi
I have a 2011 DMAX and tow a camper, about 1500kg. I have done the Tanami, Gibb River, Mitchell Plateau, Cape Leveque etc and never noticed any problems with the auto transmission. One of the first questions I asked the dealer when I bought it was is an oil cooler required. He was quite definite in saying no. The transmission was built to handle it.

Have there been many occurrences where people have had auto tranny problems caused by overheating? If so, I will need to re-assess before my next trip.

Thanks. Any advice will be appreciated.

Listen to your dealer. These are not borg warner 35's anymore and running them with an additional cooler means they run cool which is not something that you want, particularly when 95% of their time is on the road.

They need to run at operating temperature like all oils.

 

[muc the truck]

Listen to your dealer. These are not borg warner 35's anymore and running them with an additional cooler means they run cool which is not something that you want, particularly when 95% of their time is on the road.

They need to run at operating temperature like all oils.

That's just bad advise .

Have you even looked at the operational scope of automatic transmission oils ? Transmission Oils don't need to warm up to protect unless your sub 20degs below zero. When there over temp but there is problems.

A transmission cooler regulates the transmission and the engine coolant system so both the transmission and engine receive benefit by adding a transmission cooler .

All automatic transmissions and engine will benefit of extended service life from having a cooler fitted . Even in Canada blokes fit trans coolers to there Chevy pick up with a snow blade.

The oil temp gets to hundreds of degrees at the actual friction points . The temp sender is on the alloy case or the valve body so by the time the over temp light has come on your transmission the damage at the friction points has already been done.

A transmission cooler is an insurance policy. Just like changing your engine oil more regularly for adverse conditions .

 

[Frankensurf]

Dont forget that lots of surf models have an internal trans cooler in the lower radiator section that slightly blocks the lower radiator outlet which also causes the engine to run cool.

I think that's a typo there, Flanders: "...causes the engine to run cool" I'm sure that you mean "hot". And right you are. 2.4 Surfs have lots of heating problems. Adding an AT cooler, either in line with the standard cooler in the radiator, or as a stand alone, also helps engine cooling by reducing overall heat at the radiator.

 

[Stupid Flanders]

I think that's a typo there, Flanders: "...causes the engine to run cool" I'm sure that you mean "hot". And right you are. 2.4 Surfs have lots of heating problems. Adding an AT cooler, either in line with the standard cooler in the radiator, or as a stand alone, also helps engine cooling by reducing overall heat at the radiator.

Yeah hot. Migraine this morning. If you drop the lower hose you can see the cooler blocking it.


I'm not going to lie to you Marge.

 

[Stupid Flanders]

That's just bad advise .



Have you even looked at the operational scope of automatic transmission oils ? Transmission Oils don't need to warm up to protect unless your sub 20degs below zero. When there over temp but there is problems.



A transmission cooler regulates the transmission and the engine coolant system so both the transmission and engine receive benefit by adding a transmission cooler .



All automatic transmissions and engine will benefit of extended service life from having a cooler fitted . Even in Canada blokes fit trans coolers to there Chevy pick up with a snow blade.



The oil temp gets to hundreds of degrees at the actual friction points . The temp sender is on the alloy case or the valve body so by the time the over temp light has come on your transmission the damage at the friction points has already been done.



A transmission cooler is an insurance policy. Just like changing your engine oil more regularly for adverse conditions .

Sooooooo - what your saying is the manufacturers are so stupid they under cool their transmissions and we know better. WelI know that's not what you said but that's what you can take from it.

If you add an external cooler to your trans your trans will run cooler. That's fine when you are towing in harsh conditions, loads and terrain, but the rest of the time it will run outside of the manufacturers specs and run cold. So the vast majority of operational life it's out of specs.

Question - do you warm your engine of a morning before driving normally? Of course you do. Because you know it's not yet at operating temperature. Same as a cold trans.

A classic example of over cooling is the vw beetle engine. I raced big HP vw engines in both hill climb and off road and only ever run the factory cooler. Never over heated and the best vw race engine builder in oz still runs std coolers while the show ponies run external.

You want it at operating temp. Not more, not less.

So you may not agree with my advice however it's not "bad advise".

Particularly if your vehicle is under warranty and your dealer says not to.
Goodbye warranty.

Cheers.





I'm not going to lie to you Marge.

 

[Eightyeight]

Street car experience again;
Run external trans oil coolers IN-LINE with factory coolers due to increased load and pressures as per tune.
Retain the factory cooler at all costs as they assist each other on warm-up and dissipating spike.

I'd never, ever ever, ever never ever run a AT hard when cold.

A lot of people fail to realise the difference in warm up time between;
Coolant water,
Engine oil,
Trans oil,
Diff oil,
The block itself.

As a point, some hill climb cars I've had required a power steer oil cooler.

Have seen the results of many "nah, I've let it idle for a few minutes, she'll be right"
And proceed to put on a show and end up blowing things to bits.

When it comes to mechanical sympathy, there is no difference between street and off-road.

When it comes to metal components and operating temperature, the old comparo still stands and proves handy when demonstrated practically;
Grab a frozen Mars bar and a room temperature mars bar. Now attempt to force a 2 degree bend in both Mars bars.
One is brittle as heck and will snap, the other will flex.


Checkout my ride in My Colorado build Thread!!!

 

[muc the truck]

Sooooooo - what your saying is the manufacturers are so stupid they under cool their transmissions and we know better. WelI know that's not what you said but that's what you can take from it.

If you add an external cooler to your trans your trans will run cooler. That's fine when you are towing in harsh conditions, loads and terrain, but the rest of the time it will run outside of the manufacturers specs and run cold. So the vast majority of operational life it's out of specs.

Question - do you warm your engine of a morning before driving normally? Of course you do. Because you know it's not yet at operating temperature. Same as a cold trans.

A classic example of over cooling is the vw beetle engine. I raced big HP vw engines in both hill climb and off road and only ever run the factory cooler. Never over heated and the best vw race engine builder in oz still runs std coolers while the show ponies run external.

You want it at operating temp. Not more, not less.

So you may not agree with my advice however it's not "bad advise".

Particularly if your vehicle is under warranty and your dealer says not to.
Goodbye warranty.

Cheers.





I'm not going to lie to you Marge.

exercising your imagination I thinK stupid flanders

All those taxi drivers prior to Toyota Prius days were not stupid adding a cooler knowing that getting a warranty repair out of a dealer is like pulling teeth out of a chicken. And in doing so getting more than double the life out of there transmission than civilian driven vehicles. theres probably no room in a prius to fit one encase you ask and the there cvt which run more real bearings than copper bushes.


The operational temp my Colorado with cooler is 2 degress under the engine tempreture now in everyday use 87 for engine 85 for transmission .THATS NOT COLD MATE

prior to the cooler in steep low range 4x4 work it would often hit almost 130 degrees, remember this is at the valve body housing at the bottom of the pan not the friction points above that can be many times this as heat is dispersing though out the entire transmission and being air cooled . Now I am lucky to get 100 degrees and am confident my trany will do more miles trouble free for it just like those taxi owners.

Regarding warm up a transmission. You ovoisly do not have a clue that the transmission fluid in Australian cars has to get to minus 20 to require a warm up time . read a little more about oils .if you own a auto , start it shove it in gear and drive gently for the first 2-3 minutes that's your warm up . Its not for the transmissions sake .

You have also ignored the benefit the engine receives with a cooler as its now not copping all the heat from the transmission as it goes though the additional cooler first then feeds into the original in radiator cooler and back to the transmission pan. thus taking load off the coolant system so in stinking hot days doing hard work. who benefits . The owner , then the 2nd owner and the third etc.

 

[Stupid Flanders]

exercising your imagination I thinK stupid flanders

All those taxi drivers prior to Toyota Prius days were not stupid adding a cooler knowing that getting a warranty repair out of a dealer is like pulling teeth out of a chicken. And in doing so getting more than double the life out of there transmission than civilian driven vehicles. theres probably no room in a prius to fit one encase you ask and the there cvt which run more real bearings than copper bushes.


The operational temp my Colorado with cooler is 2 degress under the engine tempreture now in everyday use 87 for engine 85 for transmission .THATS NOT COLD MATE

prior to the cooler in steep low range 4x4 work it would often hit almost 130 degrees, remember this is at the valve body housing at the bottom of the pan not the friction points above that can be many times this as heat is dispersing though out the entire transmission and being air cooled . Now I am lucky to get 100 degrees and am confident my trany will do more miles trouble free for it just like those taxi owners.

Regarding warm up a transmission. You ovoisly do not have a clue that the transmission fluid in Australian cars has to get to minus 20 to require a warm up time . read a little more about oils .if you own a auto , start it shove it in gear and drive gently for the first 2-3 minutes that's your warm up . Its not for the transmissions sake .

You have also ignored the benefit the engine receives with a cooler as its now not copping all the heat from the transmission as it goes though the additional cooler first then feeds into the original in radiator cooler and back to the transmission pan. thus taking load off the coolant system so in stinking hot days doing hard work. who benefits . The owner , then the 2nd owner and the third etc.

So, why do the engineers that design these vehicles not fit LARGER coolers standard.?

 

[muc the truck]

So, why do the engineers that design these vehicles not fit LARGER coolers standard.?

bean counters always stuff up engineers plans . manufactures don't want there cars lasting for ever. You should know that ,They always chuck in a clause that blames the customer about extra servicing required in adverse conditions and in some small print in the book towing is listed often as adverse. They work out a happy medium to how they can get away with out too many warranty repairs and gamble on the percentage of people that will ever tow there maximum rated tow capacity. I guarantee if every owner towed there maximum rated tow capacity they would be forced by economics and warranty repair increases to fit better coolers as standard .

Australia always seems to get the bottom of the pile when it comes to equipment and specs.

Here is a chart that may help you see how soon atf is damaged and thus stuffing up your holiday ,budget and fishing plans. If you can prevent it getting hot , that's one way. If you cant your only alternative is to change the atf much more often which is what dealers want you to do as they earn a lot more money but just remember once you harden seals in apply pistons , servos and valve bodies from heat they never soften up.

 

[macka17]

I'm with Muc.

18in round ally with fins. Mine I fitted along the chassis rail
figuring air blowing along the length of, rather than over the front face would do a better job.
We live in Q'land and it gets a bit hotter up here all yr.


I've used the tubular ones and reckon these better? Who knows.

Oh.
Wish us luck in Yeppoon tonight we have a Cat 4 Cyclone 250+ km winds.
Due to hit t'ween us and Stenhouse bay around 3 to 4 in the morning.
Boats roped to carport brick columns. Trailer to back bushes. all pool furniture and decks in garage.
It's pretty wild out there now and it's not due for another 6 or 7 hrs. I've lowered the pool water once already.

Right up the main street missus reckons. We'll see.
This'll be my first one since Townsville 30 yrs ago.