Please Recommend a Trans. Cooler

[unDummy]

Did your transmission fail? or does that shop have a good saleman?

Your 30k partial fluid change might not be enough for your driving style. Either do a FULL flush at 30k or consider more frequent partial drain/refills. Have the shop install a pan drainplug.

Get one of these:
http://www.perma-cool.com/Catalog/Cat_page25.html

For the cooler, all the kits seem to be OK.
Try one of the BM/Hayden/Imperial/permacool/derale kits.

 

[mshu7]

From what the guy told me, there were a lot of problems inside. I don't know much about trannsmissions, but I remember him mentioning the clutch plates, bands, and some other stuff.

I plan on driving this car till it dies so that's why I went ahead and OK'ed the rebuild. Like I said, I had the problem since about 60K so that's a lot of time to have a problem in a trans in my opinion.

The kit you suggested looks really good. I like the external filter and temp gauge included.

Anyway, thanks for the input...much appreciated!

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

Since I assume space is limited in that vehicle, a Magnefine inline filter might be an easier installation. They can be had from the site sponsor, or from NAPA. (Part # 1-8514 for 3/8" lines, about $20. If you have 5/16" lines, they should be able to look it up for you.)

B&M has a line of stacked-plate coolers that are smaller but supposedly cool better than the cheaper tube and fin design. Most manufacturers sell something similar, and they should all come with hose, clamps, and mounting hardware.

My suggestion for plumbing everything: 1) trans outlet to radiator 2) radiator to aux filter 3) aux filter to aux cooler 4) aux cooler to trans return line. There is debate about whether the auxiliary trans cooler should come before or after the radiator cooler. I suggest the above order because that's how it was plumbed from the factory on my Chevy pickup.

You may need to disconnect the lines, put on some extra hose leading to a jug, and have someone start the car briefly to see what direction fluid flows. Some late model GM's have rubber sections in the metal lines, which make good tap-in points for coolers and filters. If you have to cut a steel line, the Magnefine installation kit might be a good choice.

The drain plug suggestion was also good, and I recommend Mobil 1 ATF.

Good luck.

 

[mshu7]

Hey Guys, I need some help.

The transmission in my '00 Grand Am GT is in the process of being rebuilt. It only had a 102K miles on it but it had a bad hesitation since about 60K. I didn't realize it was the transmission at the time. Since it started, I've done a complete tune-up on the car but that didn't fix anything. So, now that I finally took it to a trans shop (Edward's Transmissions). They said my transmission fluid was burnt up. It only had 12K miles on the fluid. He said there was also a lot of metal shavings in the pan and on the magnet. He also said the clutch plates were completely shot and a few other things I can't recall.

Long story short, the trans is getting completely rebuilt. One they suggested was to get an trans cooler installed after the rebuild.

So, can anybody recommend a quality and easy install trans cooler? I drive about 20K miles a year but do a pan drop/filter change every 30K.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

BTW, it's the 4T45 transmission.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

If you can mount it in a convenient location, the kit with a spin-on filter would probably be easier to change than an inline.

 

[mshu7]

Thanks for all that detailed info Rhyming. That will definitely come in handy.

I got a call from the trans shop a little while ago. Took them about a day to do the rebuild. It'll be ready for me today when I get off work. I'm really interested to see how it drives since I basically lived with a hesitating trans for about 40K miles.

Thanks again!

 

[black thunder]

I'd say Hayden is a pretty decent cooler, and it doesn't cost very much for a light to medium duty one.

 

[TheTanSedan]

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