TRU-COOL Cooler
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Union Grove, Wisconsin
Now you guys got me thinking about my trans-cooler I just installed. I haven't driven the truck since I installed. To determine which line was return and which was inlet, I disconnected both of my steel lines going to the bottom of my radiator and had the wife start the truck for a couple seconds. One line spewed out tranny fluid, (inlet , I assume) and the other line did nothing (outlet, I assume). I tied the new external tranny cooler into the fitting that I assumed was the outlet - which on my truck is the fitting at the bottom of the radiator on drivers side. Maybe this weekend I trace the lines back to make sure I'm not hooked into the power steering. Or does it sound like I hooked into the correct line?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
My truck is a 2001 and the flow of transmission fluid runs from tranny to the otw (radiator cooler) then to the factory ota cooler, it then returns to the rear of the transmission. Find the return line to the rear of the transmission and follow it back to where the steel line meets some rubber hose and that is an easy spot for an external filter.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 177
Likes: 1
From: Mukwonago, WI
Originally Posted by skibender
Now you guys got me thinking about my trans-cooler I just installed. I haven't driven the truck since I installed. To determine which line was return and which was inlet, I disconnected both of my steel lines going to the bottom of my radiator and had the wife start the truck for a couple seconds. One line spewed out tranny fluid, (inlet , I assume) and the other line did nothing (outlet, I assume). I tied the new external tranny cooler into the fitting that I assumed was the outlet - which on my truck is the fitting at the bottom of the radiator on drivers side. Maybe this weekend I trace the lines back to make sure I'm not hooked into the power steering. Or does it sound like I hooked into the correct line?
yes the shorter line running along the bttom of the radiator is the inlet for the tranny cooler but the other line that runs the lenght of the radiator is the power steering. i made that mistake also. i thought it was the return. you have to hook into the bottom of the two lines comming from your tranny where they turn into rubber higher up on the engine. the line comming from the back of the trans is the return
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 177
Likes: 1
From: Mukwonago, WI
the bypass is on the passenger side of the transmission. it is the line that connects to the transmission and also to the 2 cooler lines. it doesnt allow fluid to flow through the cooler until it is warm enough. it help the trans warm up faster
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,854
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From: New Hampshire
Originally Posted by 00250diesel
the bypass is on the passenger side of the transmission. it is the line that connects to the transmission and also to the 2 cooler lines. it doesnt allow fluid to flow through the cooler until it is warm enough. it help the trans warm up faster
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 177
Likes: 1
From: Mukwonago, WI
Originally Posted by johnny8
i wonder if mine is stuck open... my tranny NEVER even gets to 100 degrees... if it is stuck open, is there a way to fix it..?
yes you can buy the line from dieselsite for around $40. i dont know if any of the sponsors have one or not. it is easy to replace. all you do is disconnect the cooler lines where they go into the trans and put the new line in.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 0
From: Utah County, UT
Originally Posted by johnny8
i wonder if mine is stuck open... my tranny NEVER even gets to 100 degrees... if it is stuck open, is there a way to fix it..?
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,854
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From: New Hampshire
Originally Posted by cangim
It doesn't fully close, there will always be some circulation, Unless I drive for over 1/2 and hour, mine doesn't show above 100 either. Even then I am only up to about 130 or so. How long are you driving it?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Rose Hill, Ks
Okay, the 99 truck I used as parts to rebuild my 02 has no in the bottom of the radiator cooler. The o2 does. So here we go. Can I get a cooler to take its place? I have not found anything in my searches. My thought is maybe I need to take my radiator down tho the shop and get a new bottom tank put on it. That way I will be back to stock.
I wonder if the reason for it running through the radiator is tto heat it up quickly to a safe operating temprature? I assume so. but every one knows what ***-u-me means.
I wonder if the reason for it running through the radiator is tto heat it up quickly to a safe operating temprature? I assume so. but every one knows what ***-u-me means.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Utah County, UT
Originally Posted by johnny8
i drove it all the way to Buffalo and back... 9 hours each way... it never quite made it to 100... i do have a BIG tru-cool on my tranny in addition to the stock coolers, and it was cold outside... temps have been up a little the last few days and it is running up around 100 now when i drive for more than 1/2 an hour...
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