Tranny coolers
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2019
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From: Wolfsburg
Have you measured this, or just done a thought experiment? A thought experiment is where you just think through what will happen without testing it. When I was an automatic transmission cooling engineer I tested this extensively. THE RADIATOR *COOLER* NEVER WARMS THE ATF. The colder the ambient air the more the radiator *COOLER* cools the ATF. It never, ever, ever warms the ATF.
The radiator *COOLER* is in the side of the radiator where the engine coolant has already been cooled. At very low temps the engine thermostat only opens for a very short time. Hot coolant is sent to the radiator in spurts. The coolant spends a lot of time sitting in the radiator where it is cooled to near ambient temperatures. Then this near ambient coolant hits the trans cooler. How can coolant at or below 0°F heat the ATF? It can't happen.
Wrong. This shows a lack of understanding how the ATF is cooled. See above.
This is just plain wrong.
The radiator *COOLER* is in the side of the radiator where the engine coolant has already been cooled. At very low temps the engine thermostat only opens for a very short time. Hot coolant is sent to the radiator in spurts. The coolant spends a lot of time sitting in the radiator where it is cooled to near ambient temperatures. Then this near ambient coolant hits the trans cooler. How can coolant at or below 0°F heat the ATF? It can't happen.
Wrong. This shows a lack of understanding how the ATF is cooled. See above.
This is just plain wrong.
The only thing I would want to know is if there is a possibility for the ATF to get too cold? Judging by what you said that does not seem to be possible.
Applying that to the original question, is there anything speaking against running an external cooler, without tieing it into the radiator?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 200
Likes: 17
From: PNW-Western WA
Have you measured this, or just done a thought experiment? A thought experiment is where you just think through what will happen without testing it. When I was an automatic transmission cooling engineer I tested this extensively. THE RADIATOR *COOLER* NEVER WARMS THE ATF. The colder the ambient air the more the radiator *COOLER* cools the ATF. It never, ever, ever warms the ATF.
The radiator *COOLER* is in the side of the radiator where the engine coolant has already been cooled. At very low temps the engine thermostat only opens for a very short time. Hot coolant is sent to the radiator in spurts. The coolant spends a lot of time sitting in the radiator where it is cooled to near ambient temperatures. Then this near ambient coolant hits the trans cooler. How can coolant at or below 0°F heat the ATF? It can't happen.
So much good feedback on this post.
So back to my original question - Can I bypass the radiator cooler and just use the auxiliary cooler mounted in front of the radiator? I am new to this truck and know nothing of its past. The odo shows 92K and I am pretty sure that is true miles and not rolled over. The trans fluid that came out did not have any off smell to it. While it is a 40 yo rad I would rather not replace it just to replace it. If the rad develops a leak I would rather is leaked onto the ground vs into a trans line. If I need to continue to run trans through it I will but if it isn't necessary I say why risk it.
The radiator *COOLER* is in the side of the radiator where the engine coolant has already been cooled. At very low temps the engine thermostat only opens for a very short time. Hot coolant is sent to the radiator in spurts. The coolant spends a lot of time sitting in the radiator where it is cooled to near ambient temperatures. Then this near ambient coolant hits the trans cooler. How can coolant at or below 0°F heat the ATF? It can't happen.
So much good feedback on this post.
So back to my original question - Can I bypass the radiator cooler and just use the auxiliary cooler mounted in front of the radiator? I am new to this truck and know nothing of its past. The odo shows 92K and I am pretty sure that is true miles and not rolled over. The trans fluid that came out did not have any off smell to it. While it is a 40 yo rad I would rather not replace it just to replace it. If the rad develops a leak I would rather is leaked onto the ground vs into a trans line. If I need to continue to run trans through it I will but if it isn't necessary I say why risk it.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,725
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From: SE Florida
This is interesting. I am glad that someone that has in-depth experience is joining in. I stand corrected as well.
The only thing I would want to know is if there is a possibility for the ATF to get too cold? Judging by what you said that does not seem to be possible.
The only thing I would want to know is if there is a possibility for the ATF to get too cold? Judging by what you said that does not seem to be possible.
Before I left Ford we were talking about using hot engine coolant from the heater lines to heat the trans when cold. I left before we started testing this theory, and I haven't checked to see if they ever implemented this.
You can, but see my caveat, above.
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Mountain Pass
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From: PNW-Western WA
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Mountain Pass
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From: PNW-Western WA
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Mountain Pass
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Frmr Ford Trans Engr
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From: SE Florida
I'm sure you know which fluid is better more than Ford would know. I'm sure you have built many more transmissions than Ford could possibly have made.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2019
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From: PNW-Western WA
Do you have some logic behind that statement? I have heard you can swap fluids if you want the tranny to shift more firm, but I have forgotten which way you swap. You do not want to swap the wrong way or it will make the tranny slip. I would just stick with the recommended fluid.
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Mountain Pass
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From: PNW-Western WA
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