Checking Transmission Cooler for Leaks
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Checking Transmission Cooler for Leaks
I recently had the C6 in my '67 F100 (PO did a swap) totally rebuilt as it did not have a 2nd gear. The builder told me that the transmission was destroyed by coolant. He said lots of rust inside the case and the band was destroyed. He also said that he found a aftermarket transmission cooler mounted sideways underneath the radiator but that it wasnt hooked up. He also said that the coolant was bright green and looked super new. So.. his guess was that the PO realized the issue after a while, installed the secondary cooler and bypassed the radiator one, changed the transmission fluid and drove it for a while. At some point may have fixed the radiator and thats why the tranmission lines back up to the radiator cooler and the coolant looks new. BUT with all this being said he was not wanting to hook up to the radiator cooler without knowing for sure that there are no leaks. So he hooked it up to the secondary cooler.
OK.. enough with the long story...
Is there a simple way to test the internal cooler (inside the radiator) for leaks? The aftermarket cooler is mounted sideways and gets zero air flow. Plus its just extra crap in the way.
OK.. enough with the long story...
Is there a simple way to test the internal cooler (inside the radiator) for leaks? The aftermarket cooler is mounted sideways and gets zero air flow. Plus its just extra crap in the way.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 4,093
Likes: 14
From: Lind, WA- Eastern WA
Could you move the aftermarket cooler in front of the radiator? But yes you can blow air, USE LOW PRESSURE!!!!. into one of the transmission fittings on the rad. and cover the other with a finger. Does it hold pressure? I would use the aftermarket cooler because the rad coolers can leak, and they don't cool as well (they are always kept hot from the coolant). But just my 2 cents. Let us know how it goes.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 1
From: Barre Mass
You could see if you have coolant leaking out of the radiator trans cooler. Pressure test the radiator. I think the aftermarket trans cooler is a better idea. Just make sure its in front of the radiator.
Rabbit-Hole Researcher
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 466
Likes: 6
From: Middle of Ohio
This is a thought for the cold-climate people: That transmission line goes through the bottom of the radiator to warm the transmission fluid. You want it 'hot enough' , but not overheated.
Arizona, you need not comment on this point... Ha!
Mine has both, as a dealer-installed option.
Arizona, you need not comment on this point... Ha!
Mine has both, as a dealer-installed option.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
There are several thermostatic valves on the market which will run the fluid through the cooler when it is hot, and bypasss the cooler when the fluid is warm enough to work, but not “hot”.
I think that, Hayden, and Derale both make kits which include the cooler, and thermostat. At least they used to. I haven’t been in the market for a while, so I’m not certain.
I think that, Hayden, and Derale both make kits which include the cooler, and thermostat. At least they used to. I haven’t been in the market for a while, so I’m not certain.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Ron94150
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Oct 17, 2015 09:07 AM
Aaron-71
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
12
Aug 17, 2015 02:26 PM
mrad
Excursion - King of SUVs
10
Aug 3, 2012 11:34 PM
390unibody
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
7
Sep 18, 2010 12:47 AM
