Tranny cooler mod??

[kchummer]

I know many say it's the best thing to do out there for the H2...but what my question is, what causes the stock setup to fail??? Is it overheating, or does this just happen under normal driving conditions without explanation, like having a mind of it's own....I'm kicking this around, but I don't really tow anything, I don't really offroad, My ride is more of just a Sunday cruiser, literally, I work on the road during the week, so I'm just curious if this is necessary under MY driving conditions....I'm 100% open minded to doing it, just don't know if it's necessary or not....thanks for any responses....!!

[IRA51]

When the trans cooler in the rad fails (and it happens a lot )it will destroy your trans ,do it B4 it's too late . the trans runs cooler and will last longer with the external cooler . on road or off road it is a great mod .:D

[kchummer]

Thanks IRA, but does anyone know of a step by step process to do this mod....I just ordered mine today, part #4739 Tru-Cool MAX transmission cooler w/ external thermal bypass.....now I just need to know what the hell I'm doing puttin' it on....LOL!!

[IRA51]

do a search (external trans cooler mod )it is here with pic's

[kchummer]

sorry IRA, but external tranny cooler mod does NOT work....thanks

[MONSTERMATT]

sorry IRA, but external tranny cooler mod does NOT work....thanksWTF??

[kchummer]

Let me rephrase that Monster, external tranny cooler mod SEARCH, does not work....sorry for the confusion....The actual modification, literally , does work obviously, I'm just looking for instructions....thanks

[IRA51]

READ THIS FROM START TO FINISH
http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23002&highlight=external+trans+cooler

[kchummer]

It's starting to make more sense by looking at the pics and text.....If someone out there is willing to make a step by step with a little more detailed description w/ PICTURES W/ arrows pointing to exactly the correct hoses they're talking about, I'd pay $50 to have it....I just don't wanna connect/disconnect the wrong hose on this project....I'm used to working on quads, not vehicles, but I know I'm capable...LOL :jump:

[IRA51]

order the kooler and open the hood and trace the lines to the trans from the radiator and it will become crystal clear . very easy and worthwhile mod .

[porschett]

I guess I've just been lucky! Mine has 25K miles on her, used it to tow nymerous times, and I've never seen the temps even approach the high end. (Knock on wood)

[IRA51]

That's odd ,everytime one of my wife's has left I had to sell or give up vehicles. :crying:

[tomp]

I guess I've just been lucky! Mine has 25K miles on her, used it to tow nymerous times, and I've never seen the temps even approach the high end. (Knock on wood)

It's not "if" it will fail but "when" it will fail. It is strongly recommended to do this mod ASAP. There have been people that bought the parts and had a failure before they could even get them installed. Having this failure will cost you thousands and might leave you stranded.

[MONSTERMATT]

:iagree: Even if under warranty i would still do it, just to save the total aggravation of it, clearly a "NO BRAINER MOD" Just wondering if Yukons, Tahoes and suburbans have the same issues???

[HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ]

This is a thought for temp measure. Take plastic cover over top of radiator so you can get a water hose down into radiator areas so you can wash them from front and rear till water runs clean. Believe me no matter how much you look with flashlights etc. it is filthy so wash them with a moderate spray power. This should help you till you get other upgrades made.

Also a 160 degree thermostat will help. Lingenfelter are the only ones selling last I heard.

TAZ

[IRA51]

and it makes the trans run cooler and that ain't bad.

[kchummer]

I would like to have thorough instructions....i don't wanna Screw anything up because I disconnected the wrong hose etc etc....I have the cooler in hand with the bypass kit.....just need to install now....:mad:

[KT2T]

Has anyone done this on a 2008+ with the six-speed tranny? Has the design changed at all such that this mod isn't necessary or would any of you 2008+ owners do it anyway?

[SummitUp]

I would like to have thorough instructions....i don't wanna Screw anything up because I disconnected the wrong hose etc etc....I have the cooler in hand with the bypass kit.....just need to install now....:mad:
There's more than one way to do this, but I can give you a couple tips to make this easier:

First of all, remove the passenger side plastic fender well, it's not that hard and it will give you easy access to the tranny cooler lines. You can't really access the cooler lines any other way (especially at the bottom of the radiator).

Second, if your installing the thermal bypass you need to identify which cooler line is coming from the tranny. The easiest way is to disconnect the two lines at the front of the truck and rubberband a plastic bag on the end of each line, and start the engine for a few seconds. The bag with the tranny fluid in it will be the line coming from the tranny. You don't want to make the mistake of hooking the return line to the inlet of the thermal bypass.

BTW there was a service manager of a Texas Hummer dealership who posted regularly on the Hummer X forums who stated he saw as many as 3 H2's per month come in with a ruptured internal radiator tranny cooler.

[iccon]

did they come stock on some models?

[cashville]

Does anyone have pictures for the external cooler installation?

[charles06]

Do you want pictures of the actual process? Or just one that's already installed? I just had a cooler installed, along with dual electric fans. I can snap a few pics, but it will be a few days. PM me to remind me.

[LoJac963]

I'm dying to throw some electric fans in my rig but have no clue about wiring. AC in AZ doesn't care for mechanical fans lol.

[pdxrealtor]

The pictures are out there I just looked at them yesterday. This mod has been on my to do list for far too long. I ordered the cooler yesterday, from Oregon performance transmisaion. 139.00 shipped. Best price I could find.

[jsbihn]

pdx, could you hot link the pictures for the DIY cooler mod?

[pdxrealtor]

http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23002&page=2

Check out page 2. This was enough to make me feel comfortable doing the mod.

[jsbihn]

awesome pdx, that does help.
i need to really get on this since i am starting to have some bleed through issue with my engine and so I am sure this could be right behind it.
i would hate to get stuck out on the road in the middle of no where and look at a few thousand to fix the issue.

BTW, once the cooler is external, is there any way to remove the internal one?
(I mean without completely taking apart the trans)

[pdxrealtor]

I think the tranny cooler on there from GM is external as well, it just passes through the radiator.... But to tell you the truth I really dont know.

All I know is what I've read and that is that the radiator fails because the tranny is tied into the radiator you get water and tranny oil mixing.

I'll know for sure when I tear into it.

[pdxrealtor]

Installed mine yesterday. Went pretty smooth.

The new cooler is a tight fit. If you're off to the passenger side too much the hood won't close. I actually had to remove the bottom bolt on the power steering cooler so I could swing it over to the driver side. This allowed me to move the tranny cooler over just enough to 1) use the old tranny cooler mounting bolt hole on top driver side and 2) allow the hood to close. It's still tight. Could say it fit like a glove!

That could have ended up being the biggest setback, if I would have cut hoses and mounted the cooler without making sure the hood closed. Installer beware! : )

Glad to have finally got this out of the way. Next up is Corvette servo!

[Egan]

The pictures are out there I just looked at them yesterday. This mod has been on my to do list for far too long. I ordered the cooler yesterday, from Oregon performance transmisaion. 139.00 shipped. Best price I could find.

I ordered from the exact same place the other day as well.

[pdxrealtor]

Did you get the corvette servo also?

[Egan]

Did you get the corvette servo also?

No. What is it for?

[pdxrealtor]

No. What is it for?

Firms up the shift from 1-2 and prolongs the life of the tranny.

[H2Much]

Where did you get your Corvette Servo from and how much did it run? Also, was it hard to install? I am looking to do the same mod, wondering if it is too complicated for me or my mechanic to do...

Let me know where you got it from though if you could...

[Egan]

Where did you get your Corvette Servo from and how much did it run? Also, was it hard to install? I am looking to do the same mod, wondering if it is too complicated for me or my mechanic to do...

Let me know where you got it from though if you could...

The install looked simple enough: http://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/gm-drivetrain-suspension-22/corvette-servo-install-w-alot-pics-476223/

I bought mine here: http://www.oregonperformancetransmission.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=OPTI&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=4L60E&Product_Code=NTP-K51828C

$16 + shipping

[pdxrealtor]

That's where I got mine. I'm having a tranny shop pop it in while I'm there for the flush. For an extra 45.00 it's worth it to me. I'm sick of wrenching on my truck.

[jsbihn]

Thanks for posting the price. how much was the total flush and servo costing.
I love wrenching, but my time is so scarce between 12 hour days 5 days a week and then all the other things I have to do during the week.

[pdxrealtor]

Tranny flush, which is low pressure, is 165-180. Servo install is 45.00.

[pdxrealtor]

Both servo and tranny cooler mod is very well worth it.

My tranny is running super cool and shifts from the servo install are long and firmer. Money very well spent.

[guruerror]

My tranny's due for a flush soon. I just ordered the servo (NTP-K51828C) and I think I'm gonna also pull the trigger on the external cooler (4739-1 Tru-Cool MAX) as well.

I've been reviewing some of our old 'tranny cooler' threads, but still have some questions. Questions that I could prolly answer for myself were I were under my hood, but unfortunately I'm sitting in my office (bored). So, if anyone's got there ears on and can shoot me a few quick answers that would be appreciated.

I've read that the 'stock cooler' is 'integrated' into the radiator, I assume that means that the tranny fluid line simply runs internally, back and forth across the radiator. In a stock setup does the tranny fluid line enter the stock radiator on the driver's side and and exit on the passenger side, vice versa, or does it snake back and forth across the radiator and enter and exit on the same side?

Once the cooler is mounted is it really as simple as just disconnecting the tranny fluid hoses from the stock radiator (cutting new lengths) and plugging them into the cooler?

I'm definitely considering doing the flush, servo, and cooler all at the same time.

[SummitUp]

I've read that the 'stock cooler' is 'integrated' into the radiator, I assume that means that the tranny fluid line simply runs internally, back and forth across the radiator. In a stock setup does the tranny fluid line enter the stock radiator on the driver's side and and exit on the passenger side, vice versa, or does it snake back and forth across the radiator and enter and exit on the same side?
It doesn't do either of those. It simply runs vertically in the passenger side header tank of the radiator. A picture is worth a 1000 words:
http://www.agcoauto.com/content/images/cooling/radiator_tank_core_transmission_cooler.jpg

The cooler is really nothing more than a thin wall metal pipe. If a small hole erodes through the pipe, coolant and tranny fluid mix and good by tranny.
http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/Colorado_Breeze/H2%20Tech/TrannyCooler.jpg

Once the cooler is mounted is it really as simple as just disconnecting the tranny fluid hoses from the stock radiator (cutting new lengths) and plugging them into the cooler?
Well, in a word "Yes", but just realize it's much easier said than done!

[guruerror]

...A picture is worth a 1000 words...
You are ABSOLUTELY correct. That was exactly what I needed to see. Thanks!

[pdxrealtor]

It really is an easy job. New cooler comes with fittings and hose. Nothing more to buy.

Sumitup--- I gotta ask you what the hell is going on with that picture?? You take that old radiator out for the 'perfect' shot ?? LOL

[guruerror]

It really is an easy job. New cooler comes with fittings and hose. Nothing more to buy.

Sumitup--- I gotta ask you what the hell is going on with that picture?? You take that old radiator out for the 'perfect' shot ?? LOL
LOL! :iagree: Very picturesque...:perfect10s:

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/Colorado_Breeze/H2%20Tech/TrannyCooler.jpg

[guruerror]

It really is an easy job. New cooler comes with fittings and hose. Nothing more to buy.

Sumitup--- I gotta ask you what the hell is going on with that picture?? You take that old radiator out for the 'perfect' shot ?? LOL
Is there any significant quantity of tranny fluid sitting in the cooler? Or does it typically drain back down into the transmission once the engine stops and sets a bit?

I'm just trying to gauge the 'mess factor' and determine if I need to pick up another container of fluid.

[pdxrealtor]

Is there any significant quantity of tranny fluid sitting in the cooler? Or does it typically drain back down into the transmission once the engine stops and sets a bit?

I'm just trying to gauge the 'mess factor' and determine if I need to pick up another container of fluid.


You know.. if I remember right I barely had a drip, and it was at the external cooler that's mounted in front of the radiator.

I didn't replace any fluid, but I was headed to the tranny shop. If it's going to be a couple hundred miles before you make it to the tranny shop you might want to check the fluid....,

[SummitUp]

Sumitup--- I gotta ask you what the hell is going on with that picture?? You take that old radiator out for the 'perfect' shot ?? LOL
HA HA! No, I just did a search in Google Images for Radiator Transmission Cooler (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&cp=13&gs_id=g9&xhr=t&q=radiator+transmission+cooler&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1440&bih=720&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=0ZgRUNCJPJHwrAHot4DgCQ). :D

[Egan]

Is there any significant quantity of tranny fluid sitting in the cooler? Or does it typically drain back down into the transmission once the engine stops and sets a bit?

I'm just trying to gauge the 'mess factor' and determine if I need to pick up another container of fluid.

I lost maybe a syringe full of tranny fluid when I cut the stock lines.

[guruerror]

Good to know...I ordered my cooler this afternoon.

[guruerror]

In reading through some of our threads and threads on other forums about tranny cooler mods it seems clear that the mod is primarily designed to do two things:


Lower tranny running temperatures
Safeguard against the failure of the stock, internal tranny cooler and the mixture of antifreeze and transmission fluid. (http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23002&highlight=tranny+burst)


This research led me to discover (as many of you may already know) that the engine oil is cooled in a similar manner on the driver's side of the stock radiator. :confused: Has anyone heard of/had a problem with this internal cooler failing and mixing antifreeze with engine oil?

[pdxrealtor]

In reading through some of our threads and threads on other forums about tranny cooler mods it seems clear that the mod is primarily designed to do two things:


Lower tranny running temperatures
Safeguard against the failure of the stock, internal tranny cooler and the mixture of antifreeze and transmission fluid. (http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23002&highlight=tranny+burst)


This research led me to discover (as many of you may already know) that the engine oil is cooled in a similar manner on the driver's side of the stock radiator. :confused: Has anyone heard of/had a problem with this internal cooler failing and mixing antifreeze with engine oil?

You know.. I wondered this also. :confused: :confused:

[guruerror]

I mean...it looks like the same damn setup on each side.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i271/guruerror/Assets/030912TX01-017.jpg

[LoJac963]

good hell, no wonder I've been seeing quite a few overheating threads in the hotter states like mine recently. One radiator doing the job of 3 things, oil cooler, tranny cooler, coolant cooler.......

I would assume with the issues regarding the tranny and radiator it could just as easily happen to the oil side also.

[guruerror]

Tru-Cool MAX (4739-1) arrived today. Here's my question, I'm due for a tranny flush soon, should I do the flush first then install the cooler, vice versa, or does it really not matter?

[pdxrealtor]

I asked myself the exact same question and here's what I came up with.

Do the tranny cooler install first, drive it for a while, and then get the flush. If the tranny shop f's your truck up and you've had the cooler installed and working fine for a while you know it's not the tranny cooler you installed right after they flushed it.

I didn't have a shop I trusted, and tranny flushes have been known to cause problems so I wanted everything installed and known to be working fine before I handed my truck over to someone who I didn't know.

[Egan]

Tru-Cool MAX (4739-1) arrived today. Here's my question, I'm due for a tranny flush soon, should I do the flush first then install the cooler, vice versa, or does it really not matter?

Flush after - that way you flush out any shavings or oils left over from the cooler manufacturing process, as well as any debris you introduced during the installation.

[guruerror]

I asked myself the exact same question and here's what I came up with.

Do the tranny cooler install first, drive it for a while, and then get the flush. If the tranny shop f's your truck up and you've had the cooler installed and working fine for a while you know it's not the tranny cooler you installed right after they flushed it.

I didn't have a shop I trusted, and tranny flushes have been known to cause problems so I wanted everything installed and known to be working fine before I handed my truck over to someone who I didn't know.
Flush after - that way you flush out any shavings or oils left over from the cooler manufacturing process, as well as any debris you introduced during the installation.
Both very good points...I'm glad I asked. Thanks!

I guess I got my weekend project.

[pdxrealtor]

:beerchug: