Adding an additional auto tranny cooler into TD5

**twr7cx** · 21st January 2012, 02:51 PM

I had some heat issues with the auto transmission of my TD5 (never enough to trigger the factory temperature sensor off - which from what I understand once you've done that there's already some damage done), but enough to reach temperatures monitored on my MadMan EMS above what Ashcroft (Ashcroft Transmissions) advise to be safe.

So I looked at what options I had for upgrading the cooling. I could remove the factory cooler and clean it up, it's likely that it's clogged with mud and that is part of the cause, but the issue with that is it will continually happen when I go 4WDing, so it's not a very permanent solution.

I looked at replacing the factory cooler with a P38 cooler as apparently they are larger, but as mentioned above I would still be concerned of it blocking up.

Triumph Rover Spares do a cooler upgrade, but they don't sell it as a kit, only available as a service on vehicles taken to their workshop - the price was around $1,200.00.

So I looked at adding in an additional external cooler.

I got a B&M Racing & Performance Universal Super Cooler (http://bmracing.com/?wpsc-product=un...ated-11x8x1-12) and had the lines modified by Enzed to be able to plumb it into the transmissions fluid circuit (so the fluid first runs through the factory cooler, then through this additional cooler).
It's mounted just behind the front grill making it much easier to clean with high pressure water after bush bashing.
Since fitting the transmission runs much cooler and stays in the normal operating temperature range (I have not noticed any increase in engine coolant temperature due to being mounted in front of the radiator).

Pictures:

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**Sleeping Wood** · 6th September 2013, 06:45 PM

Hi twr7cx

Can you provide any more detail on the pipe modifications done to add the second cooler? I would like to fit one and am just wondering. The link you provided is to a USA site.... Did you import the cooler?

**twr7cx** · 6th September 2013, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by Sleeping Wood

Hi twr7cx

Can you provide any more detail on the pipe modifications done to add the second cooler? I would like to fit one and am just wondering. The link you provided is to a USA site.... Did you import the cooler?

Yes, I imported the cooler. But there are Australian distributors (e.g. Rocket Industries).

Regarding the pipe modification, my advice would be get your secondary cooler, remove the transmission line and take to the shop (e.g. Enzed) and they'll have the fittings and knowhow to do the modification required).

**BIG O** · 7th September 2013, 09:24 AM

I used the same cooler on both our D2'S after seeing twr7cx post and photos . You can buy the B&M Super Cooler on ebay from Aussie suppliers or from hot rod suppliers in the USA . I plumed straight into the return hose from the factory cooler and did not get custom pipe work done. Easy and no mess at all and never leaked and I know my hose clamps won't blow off. Top up took about a litre of oil. I Used fittings that were somewhat cheaper than those in the photos and with hose clamps...but each to their own . Took about 45 minutes per vehicle .

**davrac** · 8th September 2013, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by BIG O

I used the same cooler on both our D2'S after seeing twr7cx post and photos . You can buy the B&M Super Cooler on ebay from Aussie suppliers or from hot rod suppliers in the USA . I plumed straight into the return hose from the factory cooler and did not get custom pipe work done. Easy and no mess at all and never leaked and I know my hose clamps won't blow off. Top up took about a litre of oil. I Used fittings that were somewhat cheaper than those in the photos and with hose clamps...but each to their own . Took about 45 minutes per vehicle .

Do you have a link to those photo's, I need to fit one to mine asap and would love to see them. Thanks

Dave

**BIG O** · 8th September 2013, 01:50 PM

Sorry Dave .poorly worded by me..I was referring to the awesome photos above. I mounted the cooler exactly as seen in the photos ,, except I used alloy plate at the bottom instead of the washers shown . Why mess with what twr7cx did ,,couldnt have made it easier !!.

**Sleeping Wood** · 9th September 2013, 09:54 AM

B&M have a larger cooler that will cool 29000BTU's vr's the 20000BTU's by the one shown in this post. Anyone know if the larger unit would be to large to fit? it measures 330h x 292w x 45d

**BIG O** · 9th September 2013, 10:14 AM

When looking into this a few auto experts mentioned overcooling ..I am not so sure about that ...considering I did it to overcome over heating issues on the one vehicle . The bigger cooler needed some brackets to fit it in the same location ..so short on time I went with 20000BTU and followed the photos to fit same .

**davrac** · 9th September 2013, 11:12 AM

Half inch hose fittings/barbs I presume? Thanks

**twr7cx** · 9th September 2013, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by BIG O

When looking into this a few auto experts mentioned overcooling ..I am not so sure about that ...considering I did it to overcome over heating issues on the one vehicle . The bigger cooler needed some brackets to fit it in the same location ..so short on time I went with 20000BTU and followed the photos to fit same .

Yes, there is an issue of overcooling.

The automatic temperature has an ideal temperature range to operate in. There was a write up about this on the Ashcroft website. I believe that the minimum temperature was around 60*C.

If you have too large a cooler, you will find that due to the large volume of ATF it takes a long time to warm up to operating temperature and due to the large cooler it is cooled down too much.

So you need to be careful and choose an appropriate sized cooler - bigger is not better in this case.

I have found my above setup to be reasonably appropriate for Tasmania's climate.

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