Auto trans oil cooler - does size matter?

[leichlux]

I installed one last weekend - I'll add some photos of the install to my shed.

[leichlux]

Has everyone who has fitted a trans cooler topped up the auto trans fluid?
I've still got to top mine up after fitting the cooler. went to toyota today to get some fluid and they dont sell it, they want me to book it in to have it topped up

is there an off the shelf auto trans fluid that is exactly like the official toyota stuff??

[Downunderlux]

yes, when i did mone a couple of weeks ago i topped up the transmission fluid, i only need about 250ml but i had to buy a 4L container of oil from toyota.

[9W6VX]

Well, I finally installed the ATF temperature gauge after months of procrastination.

Sender is installed just before the external cooler or right after the original radiator/cooler.

Whatever temperature shown on the gauge will be slightly higher than actual temperatures as the ATF fluid will go to the external cooler before returning to the oil pan.

I reckon the temperature drop ranges from 10 ~ 14 degrees Celsius based on a e-book I read on the internet somewhere.

Currently, the temps range from 60 ~ 90 degrees Celsius city driving with a few small hills here and there.

I installed the gauge just below the steering wheel as I did not want to install it on the dashboard.

[9W6VX]

From the recently installed ATF gauge, the ATF temperature indicator light on the dashboard comes on at 130 to 140 degrees Celsius.

This is before my external cooler so if you factor in the 10 to 14 degrees drop from the external cooler, the idiot light sensor actually comes on at the range of 116 degree to 130 degrees.

The 116 degrees cames pretty close to what I have gathered is Toyota's specifications at 110 degrees Celsius.

Within city driving, the gauge stays within the range of 60 to 90 degrees C (before external cooler).
If going up long hills the temps go up to 130 or 140 if i don't control the accelerator.

I am currently running 20 pounds boost with the South African Unichip Dastek chip. Power is unbelievably good but the downside is that going up hills the ATF temps go up .EGT is within tolerance at no more than 850 degrees Fahrenheit / 450 degrees Celsius (probe post-turbo) going flat out on the hills.

Looks like the A340F auto gearbox can't take the extra power generated. I have to control myself up the long hills and watch the ATF gauge. The moment it touches 120 degrees C I back off and change the chip setting back to standard.

I also now have a Smart Gauge similar to a Scangauge since 2006 and older models will not communicate with the Scangauge. I can now read the engine coolant temperature since our original gauge is severely dampened.
I will put up a new post later on the Smart Gauge later.

[jap]

Mine is a slightly different kettle filled with different fish, but I've never had my AT light come on.

In fact, the only time I have seen it is when I bridged two terminals on the OBD socket to see when it was at operating temp for a fluid level check.
Mine is plumbed into the bottom radiator tank like yours and while an external cooler is on the 'to-do' list, I havent needed it yet, according to the ECU.
This is with hours on the dyno and floggings at the drag strip.
If you guys could find a shift kit for your trans, it would be the way to go.

Slippage = elevated temps.

[tinners]

New SR5 auto T/D built May 2010, first rego late June 2010. Tow a 1200kg camper and each time I reverse up a 15M long slope, the A/T oil light comes on. It seems that I will have an auto trans oil heating problem every time the truck has to do a very light bit of work !! This seems to be a common fault with these vehicles considering the amount of press I have read since I bought mine. For the cost of one of these, you would expect better.
Wrote to the dealer last week and will follow up this week to get them to render the truck capable of performing as it should by fitting a cooler at their expense.
Interested to hear if anyone has had Toyota acknowledge this problem and rectified it.

[TrentRyan]

I have been looking to get a trany cooler which is fine but how have you guys mounted them. I have checked with Supacrap and Repco who both sell the coolers but they do not know of any mounting kit for them???

The units come with a cable tie type mounting system but whilst that may work on the blacktop I am not so keen on it offroad??

Can someone give me the heads up?

Cheers

Make up a metal bracket and mount off front radiator.

[TrentRyan]

New SR5 auto T/D built May 2010, first rego late June 2010. Tow a 1200kg camper and each time I reverse up a 15M long slope, the A/T oil light comes on. It seems that I will have an auto trans oil heating problem every time the truck has to do a very light bit of work !! This seems to be a common fault with these vehicles considering the amount of press I have read since I bought mine. For the cost of one of these, you would expect better.
Wrote to the dealer last week and will follow up this week to get them to render the truck capable of performing as it should by fitting a cooler at their expense.
Interested to hear if anyone has had Toyota acknowledge this problem and rectified it.

We are having the same argument with Toyota at present. 1200 to 1400kg camper, A/T overhears in 3 or 4th gear. SR 5 2010 may model like yours, registered in late June. Toyota after inspecting mine (read left in carpark all day and only checked dipstick to pay lip service to my concern) then in the report had the nerve to write (owner to read users manual never tow in D) of course users manual says nothing of the sort. I use 3 in hard going and hills and D on flats.

[Alby]

I have been looking to get a trany cooler which is fine but how have you guys mounted them. I have checked with Supacrap and Repco who both sell the coolers but they do not know of any mounting kit for them???

The units come with a cable tie type mounting system but whilst that may work on the blacktop I am not so keen on it offroad??

Can someone give me the heads up?

Cheers

Make up a metal bracket and mount off front radiator.

Yes mate, that was an old post but that is how I did it.

Cheers

[VMN]

Alby, mine is just pinned to the radiator. Vern at OL up here used to live in the Kimberleys and this is how he has done it to his car (and my car) with no problems.

[Alby]

Alby, mine is just pinned to the radiator. Vern at OL up here used to live in the Kimberleys and this is how he has done it to his car (and my car) with no problems.

Yes I got the zip ties with it in the kit but did not feel comfortable with that system as I thought it might rub and wear a hole in it.???
It would of been a lot easier to do it your way.

[gjohnson]

I had mine installed a couple of years ago by an auto trans specialist and he has used plastic clips that go through the gaps in the fins of the original front cooler. It is still very solid.
Cheers Greg.

[jap]

That is how most thermatic fans come also.
I am not a fan (pardon the pun) of securing this way to the ENGINE radiator, however, attaching to the condenser is a little less "leave you on your arse in the middle of nowhere" -ish

[gjohnson]

That is how most thermatic fans come also.
I am not a fan (pardon the pun) of securing this way to the ENGINE radiator, however, attaching to the condenser is a little less "leave you on your arse in the middle of nowhere" -ish

Is that because of the possibilty of the clips rubbing on the core over time and making a hole in it Jap? If so, yeah I can see your point. Although a fan would have a lot more vibration than just a second cooler sitting there?
And Yes I agree, hole in radiator = bad news, hole in condenser = painful but at least not critical.

[Surfseeker]

Jogal,
I should probably chime in here as I note you are from WA also so are probably experiencing the same issues as I had.
My transmission used to over heat when I towed. You would think the answer is easy, Install a cooler.
I did this and my transmission still overheated! Not as often, but still Not good.
Took got that cooler taken off and installed a bigger race type cooler with a thermo fan.
Things were much better again but I was still getting some overheating.
Then I found out that the transmission specialist who installed the cooler bypassed the heat exchanger in the radiator. Transmission guys often do this becasue they don't like the idea of the trans fluid running through the radiator. If the radiator cracks (and this is not uncommon particurlarly on some Fords I am told!) you could end up with an auto trans full of coolant....definately not good.
Despite his protests I got him to put the re connect the radiator heat exchanger and all is good now.
You don't hear about to many toyotas having cracked radiators and there are plenty out there!

What does this mean?
1. In WA it gets bloody hot so you need to keep the heat exchanger in line when you fit a cooler.
The heat exchanger itself may do very little but just having the extra fluid rumnning around the system is good for cooling.

2. Get a big cooler!!! Bigger than you might think... if you want to really sort out the problem

I put in a Derale 13700 cooler and it is good. The thermo fan is good too becasuse it creates its own airflow when the vehicle is either stopped or moving slowly. You might be in really boggy soft sand for example...your tranny is working hard, but you are going slow so there is not much airflow.

Just my 2 cents...

[9W6VX]

surfseeker,

The Derale 13700 looks impressive at 10" x 12.5" x 4" thick.

The Permacool 1014 i am using is 10" x 15 1/2" the but much thinner at 3/4" only.

Contemplated putting a electric fan over the ATF cooler but ever since I mounted a FMIC intercooler the space there is pretty contrained now!

[jap]

You guys need to get a hold of some shift kits.
They would help keep the temps down when changing through gears

[9W6VX]

Any details?

[Rebs]

Does anyone know Toyota's actual spec for NOT (Normal Operating Temperature) of the ATF?
I have spent some time using the search and have found NOT's quoted from 79C to 139C. IMO the temperature needs to be under 100C. I am fitting a cooler to my new lux and considering a oil thermostat to compliment the setup, but really need to know what Toyota's operating parameters are first. Of course I have rung a few dealers and transmission shops and trawled the web but I'm none the wiser.
Regards