For my 1988 Volvo 240DL with 284k+ miles and automatic transmission. Transmission seems okay (though the car was neglected maintenance-wise) and I don't tow, but I drive on steep hills to and from home.

What are your thoughts about adding a transmission cooler to prolong the transmission life?

What brands would you recommend?

Where is the best place to install it?

Thanks

to remove trans pan. remove dipstick. one inch below bracket on tube,cut tube using cutting wheel. remove pan bolts,drop pan. metal filings can be cleaned since its apart. use hose to connect tube using hose clamps. fluid wont reach that level. dont have to fiddle with threaded fastener. this might seem non standard ,arms are screwed up. i do it the easiesr way.

The Aisin-Warner AW70 automatic in your car is a pretty stout piece, and it's only handling about 150 lb-ft of engine torque at the max. I would say that it does not need an external, additional cooler, but there are a couple of ways to ensure it continues to give good service.

First, remove the pan and the filter and clean the pan and replace the filter. Reinstall with a new pan gasket. Give the trans a thorough fluid flush and refill it with a quality synthetic ATF. Flushing procedure is covered in the 700/900 FAQ's in the drop-down menu ("more") at the top of this page. Count on using about 10 qts before clean, clear fluid comes out.

While it is tempting to install a new gadget on our old 240's, simply bringing the maintenance up to date and using new fluids is the best for the car and your wallet.

--
Son's XC70, my 83 244DL, 89 745 (Chev LT-1 V8), and XC60. Also '77 MGB and four old motorcycles. Long gone: 1981 244, 1994 940 and 1998 S90.

Thanks.


Should I use a pre-cut gasket or the Permatex-type gasket maker?

I'm trying to drop the pan and clean the filter. I carefully read the FAQs about dropping the transmission pan and risk to the filler tube. I was unable to loosen the filler tube nut. I decided to stop rather than risk damaging the transmission pan. The nut seems to be a 23mm wrench size; is that correct? Even if I get it off, I don't know how to torque it back to 65 ft-lbs. I looked up the fill tube and saw the two large bolts that hold the filler tube to the engine. I'm unsure of the bolt size and how to reach them, eg from below.

I drained and refilled the transmission fluid via the drain plug three until the transmission fluid stayed pink. I used Valvoline Synthetic Dexron.

Is it any better to disconnect the upper transmission line at the radiator and do a flush that way next time?

If there are difficulties in removing the dipstick tube you can remove the fasteners securing the tube to the engine and remove the pan with tube attached. This a fiddly job and if you are not inclined, then leave the pan be. Read the 700/900 FAQ's about flushing your trans. It is a much better way to replace the old fluid than a fill-drain-fill procedure using the pan drain plug.

The Valvoline synthetic is a good choice, assuming it is a type (Dexron?) that meets Volvo's recommendation. Just stick with the big name brands and you are reasonably assured of good quality.

Here's the FAQ link:

https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/TransmissionAuto.htm

I have done the flush to a few Volvo automatics. My main comment on the FAQ procedure is that you have to be quite certain of the amount you drain out and then replace it nearly exactly. I don't like the idea of using two people and trying to keep up with the draining fluid "on the fly". I did it in stages....drain into a 2-litre jug and stop the engine. Add 2 litres of new fluid and restart the engine - and thus the flush. Repeat until clean new fluid appears in your clear plastic drain hose. The new fluid does not seem to mix with old in the trans. One second maroon/brown fluid is coming out and the next, it's cranberry red and clear. Stop and check level. If OK, button everything up, go for a minimum 20km drive and check again now that the trans is at full temperature.
--
Son's XC70, my 83 244DL, 89 745 (Chev LT-1 V8), and XC60. Also '77 MGB and four old motorcycles. Long gone: 1981 244, 1994 940 and 1998 S90.

There already is a Trsans Fluid cooler built into the Radiator at Passenger side but you can install an aux trans cooler in front of the radiator at the bottom of the rad running across the bottom.

Thanks.

My car has an AC evaporative cooler, which looks like a radiator, in front of the radiator. There's about a 2 inch space between them with a horizontal frame on the base. Where do you recommend installing it? I don't want to position it too low in the car in case I hit a bump.