You should get it cooler. Heat is causing the leak.

 

Any ideas? Bigger cooler - I guess? Any recommendations?

ryan

 

Could this in any way be related to the new radiator I just installed?

 

If something is wrong with the new radiator, then yes.

Replacing the stock air to oil cooler with a larger one would help.

 

Not sure how I go about testing the new radiator?

Planning to replace the cooler next week...

 

Here is how to test the transmission cooler circuit:

Warm the trans up. It should be at least 150°F.
Have two containers, each at least one gallon.
Get a hose that will fit over the cooler return line at the rear of the trans.
Remove the return line where it enters the rear of the trans.
Put the hose on the return line and put it into container #1.
Have a helper start the engine and leave it in park and at idle.
When the flow is steady out of the hose (that should only take a few seconds) move the hose to container #2 for EXACTLY 15 seconds, then put it back in container #1.
Shut the engine off.

Results:
If fluid sprayed out of the transmission, the test fails. A small dribble is fine, but spraying is not.
If there is less than a quart in container #2 the test fails.

If the test fails either the cooler bypass valve is stuck open or there is a restriction in the cooler circuit.

 

Thank you Mark...

So this means to replace the cooler - right?

 

Either the cooler is plugged or a cooler line is damaged and restricted.

 

Ok, thanks. I am looking at these coolers - any recommendations?

 

My comments are that the second one is the only one that lists a size. And I think it's smaller than the one you have, so that would make your trans hotter than it is now. I'm guessing that the last one, the Long, is larger than what you have now, but it doesn't say what size it is, so that's only a guess.

 

Currently, mine is 11 x 5 3/4 x 1 1/2...looks like factory

The first one - B&M 70266 is 11 x 8 x 1 1/2 and is rated at 20500 BTU

The 2nd one - B&M 70264 is same size as current one, rated at 14400 BTU

The 3rd one - Tru-Cool Max is 6 x 23 x 3/4 and is rated 34000 BTU and 30000 GVW

Tru-Cool also has another one - 8 1/2 x 22 x 1 1/4, rated at 45000 BTU and 40000 GVW

Is size the only consideration? Obviously, the 2nd one will install the easiest and I think I can install the first Tru-Cool 'fairly' easy - it's narrow enough - only 6" wide - that I think it will fit ok...The other 2 will be more work.

 

BTU rating is the only consideration. Everything else doesn't matter. Of the ones you listed, get the bigger Tru-Cool.

 

Do I have to worry about it running too cool? What temps would be too cool? I live in Oklahoma but I do travel home to Ohio - sometimes in the winter...

Also, I just checked the tranny fluid level COLD before we head for home here in just a bit (I know it's preferable to check it HOT, but the dipstick does have a COLD mark on it)....anyway, the dipstick is showing too much fluid - even after spitting out what I did when I pulled in to the campground. Could the leaking fluid been due to too much fluid? I haven't added any fluid back yet...

I always have trouble eyeballing the fluid level...

Thanks.

 

The cold reading is absolutely meaningless. The moron the put the COLD mark on the dipstick didn't have a clue as to how a transmission operates.

It is possible to run the trans too cool. If you put a larger cooler on I recommend putting a piece of cardboard in front of the cooler if you're going to be in ambients of less than 0°F.

 

on thermostatic trannies *all* dipstick readings are a grain of salt.

even hot it will vary a quart or more if its in cooling mode.

truth be told, and this is insider info, on the E4 you can go damn near a gallon (more like 3qts) overfull before you are at risk of putting it in the gear train and frothing it. lower than the cold mark is the most dangerous because in a sharp turn light leaving a stoplight in an off camber situation, it can suck air and open a clutch pack that should not be open at that moment. Thats bad.

this is one of the things you dont have to split hairs on.

oh, and too cool means running the cooling circuit thru a thermo-king.

The E4 controls most of its cooling and EVEN IF you added 74 tranny coolers, the radiator one aint gonna cool it below 160. about 100 is the magic number where the fluid flow data was developed. And even if that was an issue, 2nd gear in a motorhome sends it to dang near 300 in the converter. any and all moisture in the fluid steams out - plus its so thin they naturally separate well.

add a cooler in health and go camping.