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I am (slowly) trying to install an auxiliary transmission cooler. . I have the aux cooler on hand, just trying to figure out exactly where to install it, tho I think in front of the radiator is best. Need some advice.
Should the route of the (fluid) hose lines go first through the regular radiator then circulate through the aux cooler then return to trans or vice-versa?
My guess is that’s the correct way>>>> the fluid gets cooled off some at the radiator first, then flows through the aux cooler to get cooled even further then returns to the transmission. (..did I just repeat myself??)…..duh?..:oÞ~~~
The actual physical installation of the aux cooler is a puzzle for my old brain. I may need to get some L brackets to help fasten it to the metal "plate" that goes from one side to the other several inches in front of the radiator. There's a (gap) space there that should hold it somehow. Plenty of "pre-drilled holes to run the lines through, tho i may have to drill out one more hole about 1.5 inches in diameter to accomodate the 2 flexible "rubber" flow lines.
If my post makes you think Im old and confused---I am. Hehee :o)
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Not sure whether you're talking about a genuine Volvo auxiliary cooler or just a generic unit.
If it's Volvo, I can explain what I did (see 2 pictures, below). I can't help you if it isn't because I don't know anything about the unit.
First picture: ignore the horns in the center of the picture. At the far laft of the picture is a glimpse of the genuine Volvo auxiliary cooler (for trailer towing), mounted in front of the auxiliary electrical fan (on my '93 240).
Second picture: ignore the electrical connection to the radiator's temperature probe (another story*). What you want to see is the adapter at the bottom edge of the picture, which shows the connector/adapter that redirects fluid returning from the radiator cooler to the auxiliary cooler (instead of just going back to the transmission). Fluid returning from the auxiliary cooler then goes back to the transmission. This sequence (transmission to radiator cooler to auxiliary cooler to transmission) is how Volvo designed this adapter to work. The adapter, and the correct length hoses with their secure threaded ends, are all included in the Volvo kit.
[ * the picture is from an article that I wrote in Rolling, in which I used a Volvo cable designed to turn on the electrical radiator fan if the coolant temperature rises as well as if A/C pressure rises, instead of just the latter.]
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Hey thanks for the info and the pictures. First the one horn was in the way on the passenger side, so I put that horn on the drivers side with the other one. Not too bad a task,
Then I had a large hose-the A/C hose that ran from (or to) the drier, I think it is, to the other side in front of the horn mount thing and it was definitely in the way, so I took loose that "horn mount”; it pivots sideways sort of, and I pushed it down and was able to get that hose and the wires behind that horn mount thing so now all is clear.
There’s plenty of room to put the aux cooler there now-(oh and btw its an after-market-not a Volvo one--I wish!). There are holes in the top-hmm-”fin?” along the top of that aux radiator cooler so I can screw it to the metal that goes from one side to the other kind of like in your picture, at the top. I'll have to drill a few holes but that’s no biggie.
It seems like in your picture you don’t have the bottom of your cooler screwed down , and in mine there’s no place to do that either-BUT I think with several tight screws along the top of the cooler it should hold in place just fine. The 2 fittings-the inlet and outlet, are also along one side so they will have to point down, but I think that doesn’t make any difference.
The one metal tube I see in your pic is screwed in-however my lines have to be pushed on and clamped. The kit did come with one metal fitting that screws into the radiator with a piece of metal tube about 2 inches sticking out for the hose to push over that and clamp down. I like yours better, but --oh well. From what ive heard if I don’t clamp that hose too tight it should be fine.
Everyone that’s responded has been of great help to me with this project, and I really appreciate it. Thank you all!!!
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re: "...It seems like in your picture you don’t have the bottom of your cooler screwed down , and in mine there’s no place to do that either...."
The Volvo cooler has a very robust frame on the top edge, and that's securely bolted. More, the in and out hoses (and their screwthreaded ends) are very stiff and would prevent the cooler from moving even if the frame wasn't bolted tightly.
Glad you were successful.
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When I put a an aux tranmission cooler on my minivan, I routed it through the radiator first, and then through the new cooler. It also came with plastic fasteners that pushed between the fins of both the new unit and the radiator. I was uncomfortable with that type of fastener, but it has been working with no problem for 10 years. I purchased the aux unit from NAPA.
Mark
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Mark,
According to Ford, Chevrolet, and Chrysler, if you add an aux trans cooler, you must install it between the fluid flow coming from the transmission to the radiator "cooler", otherwise throw away your warranty. The reason is that the radiator cooler also "heats" the trans fluid in cold weather which reduces wear.
If you don't care about cold weather or warranty (I must be dreaming) your solution is fine, but in cold weather the trans fluid gets so thick that the hydraulic pressures go through the roof and cause internal components to snap due to shock load.
jorrell
--
92 245 313K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!
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I've put the Volvo kit* for 240's on all three of my current cars, and followed their instructions exactly. It works the other way: fluid leaves the radiator cooler, goes to the auxiliary cooler, and then returns to the transmission.
[ * Earlier part number 1333582-3, later superceded by p/n 1333839-7.]
The kit includes a diverter for this purpose (see picture below). The diverter is attached, following the instructions in the kit, to the upper fitting on the radiator -- this is the one through which fluid leaves the radiator (and goes to the transmission), the one which I tap for fluid flushes, too. With the diverter, fluid leaving the radiator goes to the auxiliary cooler, then returns to the diverter to be returned to the transmission.
I don't think the temperature issue is important, except theoretically. Using an IR thermometer to read the "tanks" on the auxiliary cooler, even when towing a boat+trailer the temperature in the outflow side tank in summer is up around 150 deg F, which isn't cool. Don't forget that the fluid will begin being warmed as soon it enters the transmission, surrounded by all that heat. The actual fluid in the tranmission can be hotter**. Besides, I use synthetic fluid, which I trust at a range of temperatures.
This picture wasn't aimed at the diverter, but you'll see it at the bottom edge of the picture. Another picture, of the actual auxiliary cooler, follows below the first picture (the cooler is partly shown at the far left).
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"According to Ford, Chevrolet, and Chrysler, if you add an aux trans cooler, you must install it between the fluid flow coming from the transmission to the radiator "cooler", otherwise throw away your warranty."--
I"ll get right on it and see if I can find the warranty papers on my '89 wagon. Hehee. :oÞ~~
As far as the temeprture getting cold-I don't know how cold you are talking about but here in the San Francisco Bay area I dont think Ive ever seen the temp below 40F except for an unusual freeze we sometimes get that might last a day. No snow right here.
I think back east with the severe cold and snow, or up in the "Sierra-Nevada" mountains, that might be an issue, but I'm guessing out here I dont really have to be concerned about that--I hope.
Thanks for you reponse tho. :o)
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Agreeing here with Jorrell. I ordered my (long gone now) Chrysler minivan with the trailer towing pkg from the factory and the added trans cooler took fluid from the trans output then passed it into the regular "cooler" (more accurately: heat exchanger) in one of the main rad's end tanks, thence on back to the transmission. Trans fluid is supposed to run rather hot.
--
Bob: son's XC70, dtr's '94-940, my 81GL, 83-DL, 89-745(V8) and 98-S90. Also 77-MGB and some old motorcycles.
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I had no idea those plastic thingies push through the fins-but then I havent gotten far enough to read the instructions. I am going to try tho to fasten it more "solidly" some other way, the plastic things will be my "last resort", but then again I can always change it if I come up with a better idea later on. Thanks.
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Those fasteners lasted me 6 years when i installed a cooler on my 1993 Ford Taurus, known for premature transmission failure. When i sold that car in 2005, it still had the original tranny, the cooler and the fasteners.
--
1974 144GL, 1996 940 GL LPT
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Thanks for your input also. I appreciate any and all reponses. :o)
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