Transmission oil cooler

[Graz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Graz]

Does anyone put a trans cooler on there auto,as i will be doing a lot of towing (carvan) around 1800kg i was thinking of putting one on.Do you guys think they need it ?

[dustie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dustie]

I was trying to get a transmission cooler same as stock to sit side by side or replace the stock and go for something bigger. If you are thinking of plumbing a second cooler, just make sure there is adequate airflow to the radiator.

Good idea if you are towing or heaps of low range driving alternately fit a temp guage as suggested in the other post.

[Madkore Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Madkore]

Re: Transmission oil cooler

Was cleaning the Prado on the weekend and lifted the bonnet - ALAS - it appears I do not have a transmission oil cooler for my 2004 GXL Auto 4spd - any ideas? Did they maybe bring them out with the 5spd?

Please be aware I may be an idiot and just looking in the wrong spot - I was looking for a smaller radiator type unit attached to the front of my radiator, between the radiator and the bullbar. How can this be? It's not possibly located on the inside near the fan? No?

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Transmission oil cooler

just looking in the wrong spot

Look for the lines running from the trans and into the radiator. I believe the cooler is internal.

Mick

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Transmission oil cooler

Look for the lines running from the trans and into the radiator. I believe the cooler is internal.

Just to follow up:

Cooler is internal on the passenger side of the radiator, you can see where the lines enter the tank, engine bay side.
This is for the 1kz turbo diesel/ 4 speed auto combo.

Mick

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Transmission oil cooler

Here's an interesting article on Autospeed. Explains trans cooling and give a DIY cooler upgrade solution.


Trans cooling

Mick

[Madkore Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Madkore]

Re: Transmission oil cooler

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

[damonat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close damonat]

Re:

The GXL 120 series auto has then as stock...

See here :

viewtopic.php?t=2199

Regards,

the external oil cooler is fitted standard to petrols.
all prado's have an internal oil coolers inside passengers side of radiator.

[Daz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Daz]

Re: Transmission oil cooler

Can anyone know the direction of oil flow in & out of the Trans oil cooler. Mine doesnt have an external cooler, just the radiator type. :?:

Does the oil go into the radiator type cooler thru the top connection or the bottom connection onthe radiator :?: .

Mine is a 1KZ GXL with 4 speed Auto.

[gxl_d4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxl_d4d]

Re: Transmission oil cooler

Follow the pipes back to the gear box. The feed pipe should come out near the bell housing. The return pipe should go back near the gearbox oil pan.

[damonat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close damonat]

Re: Transmission oil cooler

Can anyone know the direction of oil flow in & out of the Trans oil cooler. Mine doesnt have an external cooler, just the radiator type. :?:

Does the oil go into the radiator type cooler thru the top connection or the bottom connection onthe radiator :?: .

Mine is a 1KZ GXL with 4 speed Auto.

a quick way to also check is,
with the vehicle stone cold, start vehicle and select drive.
with 1 foot firmly on brake pedal, increse revs the vehicle with the other foot to about 2000-2500rpm for 5-10 second only
then select drop revs and select park.
feel each pipe and the cooler of the 2 will be the return.
keep the engine running as you will need to cycle out the heat built up during this.

[Daz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Daz]

Re: Transmission oil cooler

Thanks guys

On the 2004 3.0L 4 Speed Auto, the top port into the radiator is the inlet (from the transmission), and the bottom is the return port.

I will post a marked up pic for future reference soon, when I finish my external oil cooler installation.

[damonat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close damonat]

Re: Transmission oil cooler

Thanks guys

On the 2004 3.0L 4 Speed Auto, the top port into the radiator is the inlet (from the transmission), and the bottom is the return port.

I will post a marked up pic for future reference soon, when I finish my external oil cooler installation.

thanks for the info.
it made my fit up of auto cooler quicker.
also fitted up a power steer cooler aswell

[Daz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Daz]

Transmission oil cooler install

My 2004 TD auto didnt have an external Trans Cooler.

I havent had any problems or concerns with my Transmission temps, and I havent heard of any real problems with Prado Trans temps.
However I have always been in favour of installing oversized cooling systems on earthmoving transmissions and hydraulic systems.
The beaches down this way are quite soft, sometimes requiring some red-line tacho work from the Prado, which has made me wonder how the Trans is coping.
I tow my Jayco Camper on long runs up North of WA which isnt a problem, and I am planning a trip to either Mt Augustus or maybe doing a Central Desert/Gunbarrel Hwy trip in next 12 months towing a camper, so this mod will probably have some benefit.
I had a spare Trans cooler from one of my Commodores laying in the shed (trip hazard...), so finally did it.

Mobile Ph pics. Let me know if need better pics taken

Fitted neatly into this area, and a couple of the mount straps actually lined up with existing bolts. The other mounts done with tek screws. It doesnt move at all.




The top port on Radiator is hot oil from the Transmission. Disconnected at this point, so oil now goes to external cooler first, then returns from External Cooler, back into the radiator cooler. This still needs just a bit of tidying up to ensure a nice sweeping bend remains when the hose warms up. Later I will swap the brass BSP joiner for a T, where I will be able to tap in a temp gauge if I want.
Will also fit some more sheathing to hose that is prone to rubbing.




All up, a very cheap Mod for me, and may make a difference. I may get the IR temp gun on it to measure its cooling efficiency

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

Re: Transmission oil cooler

Very neat job Daz.

I've only ever had the one real drama with the auto trans appearing to overheat ...... and all the evidence since has pointed to an overzealous apprentice putting too much fluid in .... which led to it bubbling out through the breather on top of the gearbox.

I've since installed a transmission temp gauge ...... and it sits rock solid on 80 .... summer, winter, towing, not towing

...... even over the 6000 Kms I've just done on the GTG the transmission warmed up and then just sat there .... all day ... every day.



.... but, like you say Daz, the beaches down your way are really soft .... and it does pay to keep an eye on some of the car's vitals.

Cheers
Chippy