300TDi auto cooler replacement

**ahebron** · 24th November 2009, 01:31 PM

I got fed up with the automatic gearbox overheat light coming on so decided to investigate. First check was oil level, colour and smell but all ok. So next move was to have a look at the cooler itself which looked fine from the outside, all fins clear and no obstuctions about.
Righto all obvious and simple checks done so what next? In my case seeing as I had the front grill off I decided to remove the cooler to check that. Once removed first thing that became obvious was when draining the cooler was fluid poured quicker out of the top not matter what way up the cooler was. This to me immediately suggests a blocked cooler.
Not having any means of clearing the cooler I put it back on and refitted the grill.
Now I have read about using P38A auto coolers but am unable to source one over here at present.
So my questions are what coolers have people used in their 300TDi autos in place of the stock factory item?
Was it a bigger cooler or same size?
And is a a large pipe cooler better than a thin piped one like standard? Obviously a large piped one will not get blocked as easy but there must be other pros and cons.

Thanks
Adrian

**Tank** · 24th November 2009, 02:19 PM

Did you try blowing through it to see if it is blocked, waste of time putting it back on if you didn't check, Regards Frank.

**ahebron** · 24th November 2009, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by Tank

Did you try blowing through it to see if it is blocked, waste of time putting it back on if you didn't check, Regards Frank.

Oh yes I did everything. I blew it through with the compressor, I soaked it in petrol and then I soaked it in tolulene in the hope that the blockage was something that would dissolve. It does pass fluids and air through but very slowly.
I put it back because I need the vehicle and seeing as its been like that for a while I can't see it making things any worse.
I wonder if this blockage causes pressure to build in the gearbox and is the reason the dip stick pops out. Or maybe its just the clips have gone soft.

Adrian

**Tank** · 25th November 2009, 11:14 AM

Adrian, I would be investing in a new oil cooler ASAP and an oil and oil filter change as well, before things go bang and cost a fortune to fix, Regards Frank.

**Cap** · 25th November 2009, 12:05 PM

Yes I was thinking the same using a P38 cooler. I noticed my 300tdi disco, when in low range bush ork, the temp light does come on. So maybe need to check for blockage too perhaps.

**ahebron** · 25th November 2009, 03:38 PM

This still does not answer my first question of what other coolers have you fitted to your autos on 300TDi Discoverys.
As I am unable to source a P38a one is there an aftermarket cooler or cooler from a different vehicle that is better than others or comes reccommended by fellow Disco owners.

Thanks
Adrian

**Cap** · 25th November 2009, 05:28 PM

I cant believe you cant source one.. are you after second or new?

Speaking to JC down in Tassie and I didnt get the impression that sourcing a P38 cooler was an issue.

**ahebron** · 25th November 2009, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by stooge

I cant believe you cant source one.. are you after second or new?

Speaking to JC down in Tassie and I didnt get the impression that sourcing a P38 cooler was an issue.

It is in New Zealand at present. 2nd hand or new would do but I do have a concern that a 2nd hand one would have the same problem but because it has more cooling tubes is harder to detect.

Adrian

**ahebron** · 1st December 2009, 05:02 PM

I gave up on a P38a cooler and went and bought and Aussie made aftermarket Driveline Coolmaster CKT-038XL auto trans cooler, the biggest one! It is about 75% bigger by my calculations than Disco one.
I made up mounting brackets from a length of electrical din rail mount and fixed them using existing mounting holes on the car. To connect up the hose I unscrewed the fittings from the bottom of the old cooler and sourced 2 16mm x 1.5mm thread couplings and 2 x 3/8 barbs. Drilled the couplings out to 11.5mm and turned the barb down to fit snug through the hole. Then assembled the coupling and barb onto the old adaptors and brazed them all together. I could not make them seal just by using PTFE tape and goo so thought bugger it and got the oxy acetylene set out.
Bolted it all up and it works so far. Have yet to go and test the overtemp light yet but fingers crossed.
I have had thoughts about fitting one of those inline auto trans filters to catch the crud and keep it away from the cooler. Had another idea about fitting a relay in the airconditioning fan circuit and controling it with a temp switch so that fan runs when the cooler gets too hot.
We shall wait and see

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**dullbird** · 1st December 2009, 06:01 PM

well I didn't even know the 300tdi had an oil cooler light for the gearbox!

wher is it located in the instrument cluster?

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