View Full Version : Aftermarket Transmission Cooler
sparkplug
02-22-2011, 12:51 PM
I have searched threads for this and have found numerous opinions. My Q is has anyone ever installed one on a XC70? I mean one that bypasses the cooler in the rad. I see that most mfg tell you to install in series with the cooler in the rad. My XC is getting older and would hate to have a tranny issue due to water in the tranny due to rad/cooler:confused: failure. Then again with all the heat sinks in the front would it do the job without a aux. fan?
Thanks, Ted
2003 XC70 81K
You ALWAYS go in line.
Never bypass the radiator
sparkplug
02-22-2011, 01:40 PM
Well then that kind of defeats the purpose of the aftermarket cooler doesn't it.
Ted
2003XC70 81K
BillAileo
02-22-2011, 01:55 PM
I believe for most of us the purpose of an aftermarket cooler is to add to the cooling effectiveness of the existing system, so no, it doesn't defeat the purpose.
sparkplug
02-22-2011, 02:05 PM
Well that maybe so, but as I posted i was really looking at a preventive maintenance scenario. If I install a aftermarket tranny cooler out of line with the rad I eliminate the possibility of cross fluid contamination. We all know that water/antifreeze in the tranny is a death nail for future travel. So if I'm looking at a preventative maintenance when should I replace the rad? or am I just being anal as my wife often insists?
Ted 2003 XC70 81K
Looking forward to your opinions after all I have many of my own.
sparkplug
02-22-2011, 02:18 PM
Bill,
Have you installed a aftermarket cooler? If so what size and brand, in front of the inter cooler or behind rad? I have a Magna-Fine filter in the system presently, does it matter where it is in the system after a aux. cooler? concerned with flow restriction.
Thanks,
Ted
BillAileo
02-22-2011, 03:14 PM
Ted,
I have not yet installed one. Here's a thread where others have discussed installation:
http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11388&highlight=magnefine
sparkplug
02-22-2011, 03:32 PM
Bill,
Thanks for the link. I have already installed the Magna -Fine filter. I was looking for information regarding aftermarket tranny coolers, as in Hayden etc. I used this info to install the Magna -Fine filter. Let me know if I missed something, I often times engage before thinking. Must be in the DNA.
Regards,
Ted
wgriswold
02-22-2011, 06:27 PM
My understanding is that the automatic tranny is designed to operate in a certain temperature range. Under normal conditions the temp of the fluid coming out of the radiator is in the right range. If an aux. cooler is installed in place of the radiator cooler then there is the chance that the fluid would be too cold.
Then again I am no expert. What do you all think?
sjonnie
02-22-2011, 07:24 PM
My Q is has anyone ever installed one on a XC70? I mean one that bypasses the cooler in the rad. I see that most mfg tell you to install in series with the cooler in the rad.
The transmission oil lines always go through the radiator to cool the transmission fluid should it get too hot, but also to more rapidly warm the fluid when the car is cold. For this reason you should never bypass the radiator. I've only seen one report of the radiator cracking internally and coolant getting into the transmission fluid so it seems to be a pretty rare event. I wouldn't loose any sleep over it.
sjonnie
02-22-2011, 07:41 PM
My understanding is that the automatic tranny is designed to operate in a certain temperature range. Under normal conditions the temp of the fluid coming out of the radiator is in the right range. If an aux. cooler is installed in place of the radiator cooler then there is the chance that the fluid would be too cold.
Then again I am no expert. What do you all think?
This could be a problem if the auxillary cooler were too large which is why transmission coolers come in different sizes :D You are correct that you don't want to cool the transmission fluid too much, but luckily the normal operation range is quite large, 75-100C is considered normal, the 90C coolant is toward the upper end of this so a 10C drop in temperature isn't going to affect the operation of the transmission.
ifnt420
02-24-2011, 09:01 AM
Good investment for those in hot climate.
Here's a link:http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12707&highlight=ifnt420+atf+cooler&page=2
RF-4BPhantom
05-28-2015, 09:23 AM
I have 2001 XC70 with 91,500 mi. At approximately 85,000 mi. the transmission started to experience "hard shifts". The pattern that has developed seems to be directly related to the temperature of the transmission fluid. The tranny is completely normal (smooth shifts) for the first 20-25 minutes of driving when starting with a cool car (engine/tranny) but begins to degrade after that time. Shifting manually helps somewhat but if you continue driving even the manual shifting degrades until only 2nd and 4th gear are functional/selectable. Park the car for 45 minutes to allow cooling and then the automatic and manual shifting are completely normal.
Early on I had the tranny oil flushed and replaced (properly). The dealer's only response was to install a rebuild ($5500) Certified Transmission will install a rebuild for $4300 + tax with 3 yr./100,000 warranty.
My thought is to install an auxiliary transmission oil cooler to improve oil cooling as a possible alternative to tranny replacement. The car is otherwise in excellent condition with only minor issues reflecting its age. Has anyone taken this route and with what results. Thanks.
kutcht1
05-28-2015, 10:30 AM
I would for sure put a cooler on. Cheap insurance no matter what, I do this with all my vehicles as I have never heard of an ATX fail from being to cold, they fail from heat. Your issue possibly could just be a valve body rebuild which is a DIY and way cheaper.
TomK
Iroll_
05-28-2015, 10:07 PM
I have searched threads for this and have found numerous opinions. My Q is has anyone ever installed one on a XC70? I mean one that bypasses the cooler in the rad. I see that most mfg tell you to install in series with the cooler in the rad. My XC is getting older and would hate to have a tranny issue due to water in the tranny due to rad/cooler:confused: failure. Then again with all the heat sinks in the front would it do the job without a aux. fan?
Thanks, Ted
2003 XC70 81K
I too have woundered about the viability of a cooler for this application.
My understanding is he xc90 had a tranny cooler installed as part of a "fix" for a certain issue related
to the transmission.
Any thoughts?
Astro14
05-29-2015, 05:34 AM
My answer: yes.
Please see pics in this thread. http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showthread.php?27334-02-XC70-Transmission-Flush-From-Bottom
GearheadNY.com
05-29-2015, 07:04 AM
Definitely a valve body issue. I can say from my experience with a car that didn't have the trans flushed for many many miles. In my case i tried the least expensive option first and rebuild the shift solenoids with a $70 kit for the AW55. After getting those cleaned up and redone it shifted like a new car. Beware, though, because even on a lift it took me at least 6 hours from start to finish. AND don't forget to flush and refill as well as install a transmission filter!
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