03 Explorer Transmission Cooler
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2003
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03 Explorer Transmission Cooler
I am planning to install an auxiliary trans cooler on my 03 V8 Explorer for towing. The only auxiliary cooler I can see at the moment appears to be on the brake or power steering fluid.
Does this have to be installed by Ford to not void my warranty??
Thanks .... Taffy.C
Does this have to be installed by Ford to not void my warranty??
Thanks .... Taffy.C
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 812
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From: New Canaan, CT
03 Explorer Transmission Cooler
I have a 2003 Eb Explorer and I am thinking of putting one in myself if it doesn't allready have one. If fact, even if it does I will still replace it for a larger one. One thing you can do to find it is to trace the thin hoses coming out of the radiator and see if one of them leads to the cooler. If not just find a good mounting spot in front of the radiator for the cooler and install it. I would look into your warrenty papers and read the fine print to see if ford needs to install it or not. Chances are they will have to cause down the road if you have tranny problems they will most likely blame it on the after market cooler leaking.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2003
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03 Explorer Transmission Cooler
Mark,
That's true but no different to most cars which route the trans fluid through a cooler in the radiator. I believe that I will need an additional auxiliary cooler because of the load the transmission takes when towing a trailer of 3500 lb (in my case) over extended distances.
taffy.C
That's true but no different to most cars which route the trans fluid through a cooler in the radiator. I believe that I will need an additional auxiliary cooler because of the load the transmission takes when towing a trailer of 3500 lb (in my case) over extended distances.
taffy.C
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
03 Explorer Transmission Cooler
Taffy,
I understand your concern, but an Explorer with the Class III/IV trailering package (that can tow 5,000-7,000 lbs, depending on engine) from Ford comes with the same tranny cooler as the standard vehicle. Ford does a lot of testing in this area, and when they rate their vehicles for towing, they tend to be on the conservative side. In other words, when they rate a vehicle to tow 7,000 lbs, they know people are gonna go a little over that sometimes. So, if you're towing a 3500 lb. trailer, I'm sure the factory equipment is more than adequate.
I understand your concern, but an Explorer with the Class III/IV trailering package (that can tow 5,000-7,000 lbs, depending on engine) from Ford comes with the same tranny cooler as the standard vehicle. Ford does a lot of testing in this area, and when they rate their vehicles for towing, they tend to be on the conservative side. In other words, when they rate a vehicle to tow 7,000 lbs, they know people are gonna go a little over that sometimes. So, if you're towing a 3500 lb. trailer, I'm sure the factory equipment is more than adequate.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 218
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From: Syossett USA
03 Explorer Transmission Cooler
The new explorer transmissions have an "internal cooler". the transmissions are factory sealed with a synthetic 100,000 mile fluid. no dipstick. and the case of the transmission is the actual cooler. The fluid is pumped close to the tranny case and cooled the same way old "air cooled" engines are. No More external radiator.
I am not sure if the transmission has the ports available to connect an external cooler. This is a new transmission design and I don't know if there are third party options for it yet.
I think added cooling would have to be done by adding "Fins" onto the tranny case itself
I am not sure if the transmission has the ports available to connect an external cooler. This is a new transmission design and I don't know if there are third party options for it yet.
I think added cooling would have to be done by adding "Fins" onto the tranny case itself
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2003
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03 Explorer Transmission Cooler
Mark,
Point taken - thanks.
CNTHOR,
Thats very interesting. I understand that this is a very advanced design. I have a couple of questions though:
1. It certainly looks like I have a line coming to and from the radiator from the transmission. That would suggest it is not totally sealed.
2. I've had this discussion about whether or not the trans fluid ford uses is synthetic or not a couple of times. based on that, my understanding is that it is NOT synthetic fluid. In the <a href="http://motorhaven.autoanything.com/">owners manual</a> it says the fluid required is Mercon V which to the best of my knowledge is not synthetic.
Are you sure about what you said????
Thanks Taffy.C
Point taken - thanks.
CNTHOR,
Thats very interesting. I understand that this is a very advanced design. I have a couple of questions though:
1. It certainly looks like I have a line coming to and from the radiator from the transmission. That would suggest it is not totally sealed.
2. I've had this discussion about whether or not the trans fluid ford uses is synthetic or not a couple of times. based on that, my understanding is that it is NOT synthetic fluid. In the <a href="http://motorhaven.autoanything.com/">owners manual</a> it says the fluid required is Mercon V which to the best of my knowledge is not synthetic.
Are you sure about what you said????
Thanks Taffy.C
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 218
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From: Syossett USA
03 Explorer Transmission Cooler
I tried to find the review I read about the new sealed transmissions, But I coudlnt find it.
The review called the cooler a "Integral Cooler". I did make some assumptions about what that meant.
I'm not sure about the internal cooler. But I am sure about the Semi-Synthetic fluid they are using.
I have a '95 that gave me a load of tranny problems and I'm very interested in how the new transmission are doing
The review called the cooler a "Integral Cooler". I did make some assumptions about what that meant.
I'm not sure about the internal cooler. But I am sure about the Semi-Synthetic fluid they are using.
I have a '95 that gave me a load of tranny problems and I'm very interested in how the new transmission are doing
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,722
Likes: 2,648
From: SE Florida
03 Explorer Transmission Cooler
Originally posted by CNTHOR
The new explorer transmissions have an "internal cooler". the transmissions are factory sealed with a synthetic 100,000 mile fluid. no dipstick. and the case of the transmission is the actual cooler. The fluid is pumped close to the tranny case and cooled the same way old "air cooled" engines are. No More external radiator.
The new explorer transmissions have an "internal cooler". the transmissions are factory sealed with a synthetic 100,000 mile fluid. no dipstick. and the case of the transmission is the actual cooler. The fluid is pumped close to the tranny case and cooled the same way old "air cooled" engines are. No More external radiator.
There is a cooler for the transmission on the Explorers. It is an air to oil cooler out front of the radiator. It does not have a cooler in the radiator.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 218
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From: Syossett USA
03 Explorer Transmission Cooler
I Wouldn't exactly say that I made it up. But it's true, Iwas sort of speaking out of my *** on the cooler statements.
I had done a little searching and when I came across the line "Integral Cooler" I guess I did make some sort of wild assumption. I am sorry for that one.
I had done a little searching and when I came across the line "Integral Cooler" I guess I did make some sort of wild assumption. I am sorry for that one.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 812
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From: New Canaan, CT
03 Explorer Transmission Cooler
If Ford does use the radiator as a cooler like most do then there should be an external one somewhere. I can't see how you can put a oil cooler in the tranny thats hot. A oil cooler needs air flow to cool it. Thats why most use the radiator. The heat from the radiator is still cooler than inside the tranny. I drive hard at times and when punching the X to go faster up hill I can smell the tranny fluid heating up a bit. I never had this problem with my cars after installing an after market oil cooler.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 218
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From: Syossett USA
03 Explorer Transmission Cooler
You must not have read the reply from Mark Kovalsky. He challenged my statement about the internal tranny cooler and pointed out the location of the real cooler.
there is an external cooler. It is not in the anti-freeze Radiator. But mounted directly in front of the anti-freeze Radiator
there is an external cooler. It is not in the anti-freeze Radiator. But mounted directly in front of the anti-freeze Radiator
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 812
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From: New Canaan, CT
03 Explorer Transmission Cooler
lol oops I didnt see it. U know I did notice a small cooler behind the radiator but being behind it I didnt think it was for the tranny. I was going to take a good look this weekend. Now I might look tomorrow.