External auto tns coolers - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

strelnik · #1 01-14-2016, 09:28 AM

I am looking to put an external cooler on the auto trans of my 240D AT and my 350 SDL as well.
Has anyone done this?

If so, am interested in any issues and also brands used/recommended/not recommended

Thanks!

Zulfiqar · #2 01-14-2016, 10:58 AM

stacked plate coolers work great but you will need to make your own brackets for a neater install.

I also picked up a real nice tip right on this forum, ford trucks come with very decent ATF coolers and lots can be found in the breaking yard, buy one and reverse flush it out multiple times.

vstech · #3 01-14-2016, 11:46 AM

very good plan for anyone with an OLD radiator, to prevent coolant mix... preserve that trans! it'll help anybody with running warm issues too...

strelnik · #4 01-14-2016, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

stacked plate coolers work great but you will need to make your own brackets for a neater install.

I also picked up a real nice tip right on this forum, ford trucks come with very decent ATF coolers and lots can be found in the breaking yard, buy one and reverse flush it out multiple times.

Any particular size (F-350 etc) or is bigger just better? How much extra coolant should be added?

babymog · #5 01-14-2016, 12:15 PM

Does your car have a thermostat to the cooler line? If a large cooler is added, it might keep your transmission too cold in the winter without it being in the radiator.

strelnik · #6 01-14-2016, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

stacked plate coolers work great but you will need to make your own brackets for a neater install.

I also picked up a real nice tip right on this forum, ford trucks come with very decent ATF coolers and lots can be found in the breaking yard, buy one and reverse flush it out multiple times.

Any particular model is best in the Ford trucks? F350? F-250 and E250? Your wisdom, please

strelnik · #7 01-14-2016, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Does your car have a thermostat to the cooler line? If a large cooler is added, it might keep your transmission too cold in the winter without it being in the radiator.

How out a temp gauge in the system?

vstech · #8 01-14-2016, 12:56 PM

I've been told by my transmission shop to route the output from the air cooler into the radiator cooler to allow warming of the trans in the winter... however, this defeats the leakage into the trans benefit of the air cooler...

Zulfiqar · #9 01-14-2016, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strelnik

Any particular model is best in the Ford trucks? F350? F-250 and E250? Your wisdom, please

I saw them in the F150s too - I beleive its more than enough for our sedan transmissions. You can even look in some Ford Focus sedan models. Some of them had them - oddly sized though - 4 inches tall and 20 inches wide.

Dont completely eliminate the radiator cooler circuit as liquid cools quite more than air, plumb your cooler as addition to the system.

Zulfiqar · #10 01-14-2016, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

I've been told by my transmission shop to route the output from the air cooler into the radiator cooler to allow warming of the trans in the winter... however, this defeats the leakage into the trans benefit of the air cooler...

thats rather strange, Almost all good cooler installations go from radiator cooler to air cooler back to transmission.

If you believe your cooler will overcool the ATF then a thermostatic bypass can be plumbed in, some chrysler LX cars with the 722.6 transmissions had them.

chrisgt · #11 01-14-2016, 01:42 PM

I've been planning on putting a cooler and a temp gauge on my 300td. I have a 2000lbs boat+trailer I'd like to tow with it. My idea was to put the cooler after the radiator and just keep an eye on the trans temp. Unless it's middle of summer or I'm towing just put a piece of cardboard infront of the cooler like a semi-truck