Transmission coolers are an essential part of the transmission system, facilitating temperature reduction via an array of slanted fins. These coolers prolong a transmission’s life by decreasing heat-related wear and tear. Whether you need to install one on your custom build or you require a new cooler for replacement purposes, you should explore these quick tips for installing your transmission cooler.
Ensure Proper Mounting First
If you’ve ever assembled a piece of furniture and forgotten to align the parts properly at the beginning, you know that you’ll soon be stuck with a dilemma: you can finish the piece incorrectly or disassemble it and restart. While you may be able to hide furniture imperfections, you cannot ignore erroneously installed vehicle parts, especially when their function directly relates to fire hazards and passenger safety.
When installing your transmission cooler, it is vital to ensure proper mounting from the outset. Once you begin bolting fasteners and attaching cooler lines, it is a lot harder to reset and reposition the unit. The most common areas to set the transmission cooler are in front of the air conditioning condenser and behind the radiator. If you follow this installation tip, you can avoid major headaches down the line.
Consider the Radiator
Your radiator excises heat from the engine unit, acting as a cooling unit for the larger mechanical systems. Manufacturers situate the radiator in a frontward, airy compartment to ensure the maximum cooling effect. Many professionals recommend installing the transmission cooler in proximity to the radiator due to its optimal location. However, that’s not where the radiator-trans cooler connection ends.
You have the option to bypass or loop in the radiator to the transmission cooling network. If you plan to operate the vehicle in a warm environment where excess heat is a problem, it is best to bypass the radiator and allow your external transmission cooler to work its own magic. When these components work in tandem, the radiator can heat up the transmission fluid. Looping them in together is only recommended for people driving in cooler climates where the cold weather and coolers can over-cool the fluid to a suboptimal viscosity.
Check Connections Post-Installation
After you perform all the heavy lifting and bolt fastening, you are almost ready to get your vehicle on the road. But before you spark the ignition, you must check all the transmission cooler connections. Here is a shortlist of bolts, hoses, and clamps that you must double-check.
- Check the mounting and bolts. You must tightly fasten the cooler to the mounting structures so as not to hit the radiator or air conditioning condenser.
- Check the hoses. Ensure the hose is straight and standing alone. The last thing you want is a bent or bouncing rubber hose to cut off circulation.
- Check the hose clamps. You don’t want loose liquid flowing around your engine.
Remember these tips for installing your transmission cooler as you prepare your mechanical project. If you need more parts, explore our various transmission coolers for sale and find the right fit for your vehicle.
