Hey All,

I installed a transmission cooler last year when towing a trailer across the country, but since then ive over heated twice (and it had a radiator flush the year before the trans cooler install). Im wondering if the issue is that the cooler is too tight to the radiator and not letting enough airflow/cool air get to the engine radiator. The kit didn't include any spacers and I only had some washers that I stacked up over the zip ties to give some kind of stand off spacing, but like I said its less than 1/4", more like 3/16"

Does anyone know what the appropriate gap for something that should be? Any tips on some good spacer material? OR any solid advice why im over heating? Im now living in CO so, thinner air, summer temps, and mountain roads make for a hardworking xj!

The cooler is mounted to the far left, passenger's side, of the radiator

Thanks for any help

 

Plastic, rubber pads or spacers are preferred to avoid metal to metal contact which might vibrate and wear a hole in the radiator, cooler. the gap is not an issue for cooling, but you must take steps to prevent metal to metal contact to prevent rubbing and vibration wear.

 

Are you still using the cooler in the radiator and is it plumbed in right? The correct way to route it is to the radiator cooler first then to the aftermarket cooler and back to the transmission.

 

I did brace it from the underside to help reduce movement, obviously not ideal all around but it was just supposed to get me across the country. I was thinking of removing it entirely because of the overheating now, I do remember the instructions saying there needed to be some kind of space so the hot air from the cooler could dissipate a bit before going into the radiator, hence my query.

Yea its running through the radiator into the cooler and then back to the trans. I can't figure out what's causing the over heating other than the cooler is producing hot air and covering a big part of the radiator

 

The Factory trans cooler is located in the center and bottom of the radiator. It sounds like your trans cooler is blocking a percentage of air flow at the time you need 100%. Towing, hilly or mountainous, and hot weather. If you want to run a trans cooler I’d opt for a smaller more efficient unit in the factory location. You can also use a cooler with its own fan and a temp sensor but would need to be relocated. Quality coolers aren’t cheap and they don’t have to be huge to be efficient. If running a aftermarket auxiliary cooler I think it’s important to have a trans temp gauge also. Just like an engine, your trans has an temp range it should operate in. I would also make a mounting bracket and not mount it directly to the radiator. Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

How old is that radiator?

There are folks with many more things in front of their radiators that don't overheat. Winches, bumpers, off-road lights......

 

I run a 72 plate tranny cooler, and a small power steering cooler in front of radiator, also have A.C. hot coil in front, and a winch and light bar. no over heating.

perhaps there is another issue causing over heat than the tranny cooler. Id not ditch the tranny cooler, as the tranny needs protection too.

 

Also, an auxiliary trans cooler should also help with keeping coolant temps down, as it means less heat dumped into the coolant.

 

All of that to say, stop looking at the tranny cooler. You have another problem.

Might be a bad pump. Sometimes the fins corrode and don't move enough coolant.

 

Also what type of cooler did you install?
Type 1... Small passages, easily clogged,
Type 2... Flow through design, recommended

watch precision transmission on you tube. they suggest type 2 and will replace any cooler that is a type 1 to a type 2
There may be an equally as good transmission shop... but I doubt non better.... I follow their advice.

i don't know why the pic is so large? lol
good luck

 

Thanks for the input everyone, I bought a pretty nice cooler, I believe it was the B&M super cooler, fin style, 70264 high efficiency model.

im not the original owner but as far as I know that’s the original radiator. It is at the age where things are wearing out and I’ve had to replace a lot small parts like that, so maybe the pump is something I’ll have to look into..

I never had problems before so I had just assumed this coolers placement was somewhat of a hinderance, I may move it to the center like the stock tow package does — I thought putting in front of the mechanical fan would make the most sense, but maybe not.

it’s really not a huge issue at this point, it’s only happened a couple times and after 8-10hrs of driving in 80+ weather with a full load so it’s manageable, as I don’t do that often.

 

over here, trans gets very hot, and must be well cooled, a trans temp gauge should be fitted imo, you got no way of knowing without one

 

See if the radiator has OEM logos and part numbers on it.