Who uses both Trans cooler and Engine oil cooler.

[Mark42]

Going to add a trans cooler to my car for towing and also just to extend the trans life (I tend to keep my cars up to 200k+ miles). Leaning toward the B&M stacked plate cooler for the trans, they seem to get better reviews and claim higher efficiency plus have a cold oil bypass.

Wondering who also uses a engine oil cooler w/ remote filter kit. I read where the engine oil coolers go a long way to extending the life of the engine. Read an account where a engine oil temp gauge was added to a car, and the owner was surprised to see the oil temp at 230* even though the coolant temp was 180*. After adding an engine oil cooler, the oil temp dropped below 200*.

The engine oil cooler kit with remote filter sounds appealing because it takes a much larger filter than the stock setup, and with a thermostat, the cooler is bypassed until the motor warms up.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Who uses both Trans cooler and Engine oil cooler.

My truck 2001 Chevy 1500 HD and my 03 Excursion both have trans and engine oil coolers stock. Both trucks have a trannu temp gauge, but I do not have Engine oil temp guage. would like to add, but not a huge priority.

That said, I have 177000 miles on the Chevy, 6.0 Gas engine and I have had no engine work (other than water pump) or tranny worl done. I did have to replace the transfer case, but that was due to a known wear hole that should havae been recalled... Both good trucks and I expect long life...

 

[robert graham]

Re: Who uses both Trans cooler and Engine oil cooler.

I tow with a Buick Roadmaster with towing package which includes auxillary transmission cooler up front, over-sized radiator, air shocks. If your existing radiator is up to the job of cooling your engine without overheating then it's O.K. The oil cooler is just another way to cool the engine. Transmission overheating is a big problem with towing and it causes the transmission fluid to overheat and break down. I believe you can add a transmission cooler similar to mine up in front of your radiator and it will help you a lot. My transmission cooler seems to work very well because the transmission fluid always looks fresh, brand new, with no burned smell. I think Autozone,Advance Auto,Pep Boys sells transmission coolers with installation instructions, although I've never installed one myself. Good Luck!

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Who uses both Trans cooler and Engine oil cooler.

I have the Pontiac Montana with the factory trailer towing package rated to pull 3500 Ib.

Has the oversized rad with tranny cooler and an engine "oil cooler". The engine oil cooler is nothing more than a 36" double loop of 3/8" steel line running out of and back into the filter housing.

I opted to install an aftermarket tranny cooler as an added measure of protection. Only concern I have is driving in winter with temps at 10* F or colder. Not sure how the tranny reacts to colder oil. I just installed a cover over the cooler for the winter so keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[rov_aaaa]

Re: Who uses both Trans cooler and Engine oil cooler.

Trans Cooler definatley, Oil Cooler, I suppose it couldn't hurt.

Don't forget you can buy an infrared thermometer, where you can point at something and read the temp.

You could get one of those and start "aiming around" and see if you get any unexpected temperatures for the oil and go from there...

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Who uses both Trans cooler and Engine oil cooler.

I have the Pontiac Montana with the factory trailer towing package rated to pull 3500 Ib.

Has the oversized rad with tranny cooler and an engine "oil cooler". The engine oil cooler is nothing more than a 36" double loop of 3/8" steel line running out of and back into the filter housing.

I opted to install an aftermarket tranny cooler as an added measure of protection. Only concern I have is driving in winter with temps at 10* F or colder. Not sure how the tranny reacts to colder oil. I just installed a cover over the cooler for the winter so keeping my fingers crossed.

I would not worry about winter operation with the extra cooler. I had an external cooler on an old Diesel Blazer when I was up in NY (after frying the old tranny towing a horse trailer) and never had a problem in -20 degree weather. My only problem was ensuring the block and battery heaters were plugged in overnight.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Who uses both Trans cooler and Engine oil cooler.

I have a factory oil cooler and the oil filter adapter itself has a bypass built into it, I'm not exactly sure how,,, but it does regulate the oil flow to prevent the heat exchanger from removing too much heat. I would be hesitant to just install a cheap fin tube engine oil cooler without some minimum temperature regulation.

 

[cpubud]

Re: Who uses both Trans cooler and Engine oil cooler.

my durango has both from the factory

 

[cribber]

Re: Who uses both Trans cooler and Engine oil cooler.

Chrysler installed a tranny cooler on my Pacifica as standard with my package. The guy at the Pennzoil place curses it because he smacks his hand on it when changing my oil.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Who uses both Trans cooler and Engine oil cooler.

Don't forget you can buy an infrared thermometer, where you can point at something and read the temp.

Those wont give an accurate reading of the oils temp.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Who uses both Trans cooler and Engine oil cooler.

Sample the oil filter temp and it will be pretty darn close