On my 94 rcsb the transmission cooler in the radiator was bypassed and an auxillary cooler installed. I will be pulling a camping trailer that is 2300lbs empty. Will this be a problem or should I get a new radiator and use the oe cooler and auxillary. Not sure why it was bypassed. Thanks for any help and advice.
radiator trans cooler
- Thread starter 91sonoma
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Nad_Yvalhosert
I'm Awesome
At operating temp the radiator cooler only cools the trans fluid to the engine coolant temp. Say you have a 195° t-stat, after the antifreeze flows out and down through the radiator. The temp drops what, 30°? So 170°?
The small OE auxiliary cooler might take the temp down another 20°? I'm pretty sure that the transmission doesnt operate all that well under 150°
So here's the litmus test. If you remove the OE radiator cooler, replace the OE auxiliary cooler and run one efficient large size cooler, and a temp sensor, that will cool the fluid to the 160-170 range when you're loaded and towing, then I'd agree with the previous owners cooler reengineering.
I guess if it works, dont fix it.
The small OE auxiliary cooler might take the temp down another 20°? I'm pretty sure that the transmission doesnt operate all that well under 150°
So here's the litmus test. If you remove the OE radiator cooler, replace the OE auxiliary cooler and run one efficient large size cooler, and a temp sensor, that will cool the fluid to the 160-170 range when you're loaded and towing, then I'd agree with the previous owners cooler reengineering.
I guess if it works, dont fix it.
2300# isnt too much to be worried about unless its shaped like a brick wall.
I use the Trucool 40K coolers on the turbo trucks and bypass the factory radiator cooler.
Im sure VA Beach is similar to over here in MS where the winters arent that cold. But couple years ago when it froze over for a few days i just used a peice of cardboard and put over the big transmission cooler and Temps would get up to about 120* and settle there. During the hot summers the trans usually runs about 140* with a decent size stall converter on a Turbo 5.3.
I use the Trucool 40K coolers on the turbo trucks and bypass the factory radiator cooler.
Im sure VA Beach is similar to over here in MS where the winters arent that cold. But couple years ago when it froze over for a few days i just used a peice of cardboard and put over the big transmission cooler and Temps would get up to about 120* and settle there. During the hot summers the trans usually runs about 140* with a decent size stall converter on a Turbo 5.3.
I finally paid $10 for the trans temp icon on my torque app and I was surprised how cold it stays on my 97 Dually. It stays around 150 unloaded and 160 towing a car hauler. It only climbed up to 190 when I was really getting on it on the back roads going from stop sign to stop sign. And thats with a factory external-only cooler.
Anyway, if your running a 195 t-stat I could see that as being a heater rather than a cooler unless your really beating on it and getting to 220 and starting to burn it up.
I would just get a gauge for now and make a decision about the cooler after you find out where your temps are actually sitting.
Anyway, if your running a 195 t-stat I could see that as being a heater rather than a cooler unless your really beating on it and getting to 220 and starting to burn it up.
I would just get a gauge for now and make a decision about the cooler after you find out where your temps are actually sitting.
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