You can mount it elsewhere, particularly if it is equipped with an electric fan, but this will require extra effort to route the transmission lines properly. This will create maximum airflow and the best cooling efficiency. The best location for a transmission cooler is in front of the radiator the unit is roughly a third of the size of the radiator, so this will allow plenty of passing air for the radiator and air-conditioner condenser. A Davies Craig transmission oil cooler and fan combo kit Like your car’s radiator, a cooler relies on airflow to dissipate the heat, so it needs to be mounted somewhere that allows it to get as much air as possible.
How to install transmission oil cooler kit install#
If you plan to install a transmission cooler yourself, then you’ll need to find a place to put it. These units would be suitable for most modern vehicles. These units are compact and, if installed correctly, will allow plenty of airflow to reach other coolers, including the radiator and air-conditioning condenser. ATF is directed from the transmission to the unit where it is cooled by the air that passes through. Plate and fin coolers are commonly used these days and act like a mini radiator for the transmission.
It will decrease damage during intense situations, which in turn will lengthen the life of your transmission. It’s like a smaller radiator, cooling the ATF before it returns into the transmission. To prevent this from happening, an auxiliary transmission cooler can be installed. This additional heat causes the transmission fluid to break down, reducing its ability to perform smooth gear changes as well as causing irreversible damage to the transmission. However, if you add more strain to the gearbox, for example, when towing, if your car is loaded with accessories, long inclines, beach driving or hot summer days, then components have to work harder, which creates more heat than the stock transmission cooler is designed to handle. Under normal conditions, this would sufficiently cool the ATF before it gets re-circulated back into the transmission. This heat gets released as the transmission fluid passes through a cooling chamber at the bottom of the radiator. Like engine oil, automatic transmission fluid (ATF) absorbs the heat produced by moving internal parts. The impact this will have on transmission temperatures is not rocket science. Regular stock transmission coolers work by using the vehicle’s radiator, which is usually hot. Your transmission can never run too cool (unless you’re in the snow).
Overheating is the main cause of transmission deficiency, accounting for around 90 per cent of all failures. Transmission’s worst nightmare – towing on sand on a hot day What you need to know