Auto trans oil cooler - does size matter?

[9W6VX]

Fitted a Permacool #1014 transmission oil cooler (3/4" x 15 1/2" x 10") to my 2006 Hilux to cure the ATF temperature indicator light from coming on at steep and long hills.

Haven't tested it yet but I have some doubts in my mind if the oil cooler I used was too large as the dealer recommended that I choose the largest cooler possible.

Ran the car with the usual city driving and checked the ATF dipstick, the ATF was cool to the touch.

Should I have chosen a smaller oil cooler instead?

[9W6VX]

Update:

Came back this evening from the countryside.

Distance 400 kms, asphalt road all the way. Not too many hills though.

Checked the ATF through the dipstick and the ATF is cool to the touch. I remembered that after a few hours driving, the ATF at the dipstick was hot.

The real test is when I go back to another town in the countryside early next month which has lots of hills with gravel and some 4L and 4H range.

I have to get the Hilux serviced at Toyota every 2 months instead of 3 months as I touch 5000kms within 2 months. My business requires me to travel extensively throughout the state.

Cheers

[timewaster]

Looking at fitting one to the lux after having the light come one when towing.
Has anyone fitted one and have any pics of the finished job and what brand did you use?

Cheers

Christian

[9W6VX]

timewaster,

I had a tranmission oil cooler installed more than 1 year ago and it's good.

Do a search here and you will get some threads where we discussed this earlier.

The beauty of the trans oil cooler is that it stopped the idiot light from coming on indicating that the ATF oil temperature was high.

I'm using a brand called Permacool from USA. I remember there are some good Aussie brands too.

Cheers

Brendon

[nastie]

I'm not sure what brand my one is but it makes a huge difference.
I mounted mine in front of my aircon radiator and cools the auto tranny down heaps!
I run 33's and the tranny was startin to shift really hard from 1st to 2nd when hard offroadin.
Ended up havin to overhaul the auto box and I fitted the tranny cooler, no dramas now!

These should be fitted standard!

[9W6VX]

Couldn't agree more!

The transmission cooler should be standard for our automatic transmission.

IIANM, Prado with auto boxes have a trans cooler standard albeit a little smaller.

Cheers

Brendon

[nastie]

The best and easiest way to destroy an autotrans is by letting it get hot and keeping it running hot.
I fitted a fairly large autotrans cooler on mine as running oversized tyres with big loads in the tray and sometimes the odd camper trailer through hot and dry 4wd tracks caused the trans temp to always run on the very high side.
Since the cooler has been fitted it runs a lot lower and shifts a lot better!

[9W6VX]

Thread merged for easy reference.

[Shrek]

I just thought I'd mention, although I have a manual 'Lux now. My previous 4WD was an automatic '99 Pajero. Now if this POS vehicle could come standard with an A/T cooler I would have assumed a far superior machine like the HiLux would. Bit of a shame, EVERY automatic 4WD owner should fit one of these to their vehicle. The more advanced autos get, the dearer they are to replace and trans-coolers are a cheap and easy fail-safe.

[nastie]

The hilux does have an autotrans cooler in the bottom section of the radiator but an extra cooler fitted inline with this does make a huge difference!

[Hilux Surf-Vigo]

16491 : Oil Cooler

[traveller]

My auto light comes on when towing a 1100kg caravan and others I know have the same problem. I reported this to the dealer, under warranty, and they said I should fit a cooler. Toyota needs to fit larger coolers to auto Hilux's or lower the tow capacity from 2250kg to 1000kg.

[solidstate]

Hi everyone,

can anyone clarify which is inlet(from tranny)/outlet(to tranny), 16495A(no.1) or 16495A(no.2)?

thanks!

[Steve9R]

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3355&start=0&hilit=trans+cooler

[Macca]

When we raced karts we towed a large trailer with our auto Falcon.

Our mechanic fitted a extra tranny cooler with a 3 way valve to bring it into circuit when we had the trailer on.

He said they can also run too cool, so leave it out of circuit when not loaded.

We have never had a problem with the tranny warnings after it was fitted.

Was a manually operated valve

Macca

[simonreale]

What should a cooler set me back?

Hard job to install?

[solidstate]

thanks steve! i should search first next time...

[jogal]

I just got quoted $350 installed cravel cooler i think it's called that

[Steve9R]

nah.. you can buy em at supercheap for about $120 and the extra hose comes with em.. fit em yourself.. v.easy

[jogal]

cool i'll keep that in mind is there any brand i should know about?