Transmission cooler.......
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Transmission cooler.......
Have been following the transmission problem threads here for a while since I have the "losing transmission fluid when tranny gets hot" problem on my 91 3.0 XLT. One thing that is always mentioned is to add a transmission fluid cooler to the factory "in the radiator" cooler. I finally bit the bullet and purchased a cooler. Got all my tools together and started to crawl under the front end to look for a good mounting place for the cooler. I happened to glance into the slot in the bumper and noticed what looked like an addional cooler. Upon closer inspection I saw that it was indeed hooked to the tranny fluid return line from the radiator. I have my "parts" van (90 Eddie Bauer 3.0) sitting next to my driveway and I checked it also. It has the same cooler installation as the 91. Since I have had the 90 since new, I can attest that this was a factory installation. I really feel like an idiot now, with a cooler and no place to put it (no jokes please). Did Ford at some time start adding factory transmission coolers? Someone please shed some light on this for me.
Klaus Cook
Houston, Texas
Klaus Cook
Houston, Texas
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
The factory cooler has always been there for Aerostars built in the 90s. However, it's rather small and didn't have good airflow, so it's practically useless. I put another Hayden cooler right in front of the condenser (you must remove the grill) for the transmission, and use that little factory cooler for the power steering. Believe me, the power steering got awfully hot too. While you are at it, it might be a good idea to put in a Magnafine inline filter for the Power Steering since you have everything already removed and rerouted.
Regards
P.S. Tried as I had, I couldn't come up with a joke for the "have a cooler and no place to put it." So, no joke this time, but not for lack of trying
Regards
P.S. Tried as I had, I couldn't come up with a joke for the "have a cooler and no place to put it." So, no joke this time, but not for lack of trying
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 996
Likes: 0
Gentlemen,
While additional transmission coolers are always good, remember, when driving with the tc locked up, NO heat is being made in the transmission. Learning how to drive with the tc locked up is critical, especially in heavy loading or towing. The aero transmission has a particularly loose, slippy, heat making and fuel wasting tc. drive with it locked up and all these problems go away. I have several posts which I believe are important to a4ld life.
My trans heat gauge has rubbed my nose in this concept.
Ken
While additional transmission coolers are always good, remember, when driving with the tc locked up, NO heat is being made in the transmission. Learning how to drive with the tc locked up is critical, especially in heavy loading or towing. The aero transmission has a particularly loose, slippy, heat making and fuel wasting tc. drive with it locked up and all these problems go away. I have several posts which I believe are important to a4ld life.
My trans heat gauge has rubbed my nose in this concept.
Ken
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
Originally Posted by dnachristen
Pardon me for being new, but What is a TC? I will also do some searches...
Sometimes it's also an abbreviation of the Transfer Case, which applies only to 4-wheel-drive vehicles, and is bolted to the rear of the transmission.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Eagle Point, Oregon
Ahhhh...ok. How does one "Lock" the Torque Converter? Do you have to buy a special one, or is there a way to do it?
Reason I'm asking is that my tranny overheats. Sounds like locking the TC takes care of the heat problem?
Reason I'm asking is that my tranny overheats. Sounds like locking the TC takes care of the heat problem?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 1
From: Mitchell, SD
The TC is suppose to automatically lock up. Sounds like you are having tranny issues related to it leaking fluid. Low or high fluid will cause it not to lock up.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Eagle Point, Oregon
Sorry, Yhis is my very first automatic transmission. Don't know much about them...
Sorry for hi-jacking the thread too...
Sorry for hi-jacking the thread too...
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
welcome to the wonderful world of "tranny leaking when hot" 
I've lived with it for the past 8 years and learned how to avoid this problem. However, I think the extra large tranny cooler is a great idea and my next project.
Actually I remember an ad I saw in the Rand McNally roadmaps I used to buy in the USA: picture of a desparate guy in a shop, his Olds Cutlass on the lift with a busted tranny and the old, seasoned mechanic telling him: "shoulda had a Hayden transcooler"
I've lived with it for the past 8 years and learned how to avoid this problem. However, I think the extra large tranny cooler is a great idea and my next project.Actually I remember an ad I saw in the Rand McNally roadmaps I used to buy in the USA: picture of a desparate guy in a shop, his Olds Cutlass on the lift with a busted tranny and the old, seasoned mechanic telling him: "shoulda had a Hayden transcooler"
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
hi tom,
there are millionaire transmission shop owners on the edge of US deserts here, make all their money in the summer and spend their winters in Palm Springs or Hawaii.
those mountains in Sw. must be a tranny killer?
there are millionaire transmission shop owners on the edge of US deserts here, make all their money in the summer and spend their winters in Palm Springs or Hawaii.
those mountains in Sw. must be a tranny killer?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
the 3.0 does not like mountains with the TC locked. I usually tackle them by going 80 (90 in Germany) and as soon as the needle hits 70 I shift into 3rd (D). If I'm not too much loaded I can maintain an uphill speed of 60. The tranny is ok as long as I don't stomp the pedal.
On country roads, mountains are no problem. The old girl has lots of torque in lower speeds. Downhill I use the engine brake by shifting into 2 or even in 1 if necessary.
On country roads, mountains are no problem. The old girl has lots of torque in lower speeds. Downhill I use the engine brake by shifting into 2 or even in 1 if necessary.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 996
Likes: 0
I drive weekly between sedona and phoenix, az and there are terrible long hills to climb in 110 degree weather. As long as I keep the torque converter locked the trans temp never exceeds 200 degrees. If I allow the tc to unlock, it is Katie-bar-the-door on temp. It races to 300 within 60 seconds. The magic is to drive with the damn thing locked up no matter what you have to do, or enjoy the toast. I calculate that at 15% slip and 100 hp going through the transmission, 38,000 btu are being made. since the a/c on an aero is rated at 12000 btu (1 ton), it would take 3 a/c size heat exchangers to dissipate that heat. They must be driven with thought to tc locked up.
Ken
Ken
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
Originally Posted by xuzme720
ken....you ever have the feeling no one's listening? or in this case reading?