tranny cooler question

[EricF]

I'm wondering.. and I kinda know the answer, but I need to clarify my doubt.

my 92 Taurus is going to get an external transmission cooler.
the correct way would be to remove the outbound cooler line from the radiator cooler and run it to the external then back to the line.
getting to the transmission lines isn't an easy task on this Taurus, and my time isn't what it used to be.
I'd like to just cut both transmission lines where there's a section with rubber and run the cooler off those lines. They're easy to get to and would eliminate the radiator cooler all together.
I would be losing maybe a half quart of ATF given the transmission lines wrap up and around the front of the radiator (finless).
I'm willing to sacrifice this for a better cooling ability.
Would this be a good idea to bypass the radiator cooler as well? I would think Yes.. however.. the ATF might get to cool in the winter time? Although California winters are nothing to be concerned about where I'm at.. it's always hot to me..

Also.. anyone know what size the transmission line is? I'm thinking 5/16", and my cooler has 3/8". So I'd have to make an adapter. My factory manual doesn't state exactly what it would be either.

 

[SuperDave456]

You are actually better off running the cooler line in-line with your radiator. For one it will add to your high end cooling needs, should it ever get that hot, but more importantly it will help your system reach its prime operating temperature faster.

I have worked on several Taurus's and haven't had to add, or rather haven't felt the need to add, an external cooler.

That being said my 2002 Taurus came with a cooler from the factory, and my Sister's 2001 Taurus did not.

I have added Magnefine's to both cars and I used a double flair tool to flair the 5/16 steel lines to accept 3/8" hose. That shouldn't be an issue for you, the tool is $20 from any parts store.

If I were you I'd see if you could remove a bumper, or part of the plastic facad, to place your cooler in front of the radiator and run it in line with the radiator.
I'd shoot for:
Transmission -> Cooler -> Radiator -> back to Transmission.

So that the radiator can keep your transmission fluid warm, just in case you go somewhere cold, yet have the extra cooling capacity of the cooler and the radiator.

BTW, I have been thinking about adding a full flow in line spin on filter to add to the capacity of my Taurus. So keep me informed as to your project. I want to hear how it goes.

 

[Colt45ws]

What I did on the Montana (not a Taurus, I know but FWD). I cut the output line from the radiator cooler and spliced in a length of hose. I looped it around to the aftermarket cooler, then it went back into the other side of the same line. I used some 3/8" brass hose splices from home despot.

 

[mechtech2]

All aftermarket ATF coolers say to run the fluid through the stock radiator cooler first, THEN through their cooler back to the trans.
Remember that is cold/cool weather, we WANT the radiator heat to help warm things up.

 

[EricF]

My main reason for wanting to add an external cooler is because those Taurus transmissions die from heat constantly (the 90's models).
I'm going to put one on my Relay (like the Montana) but getting it mated to the radiator would be a mess and I can't remove the bumper.
On the Taurus however.. I didn't really want to cut the steel line.. but ya know what.. it would make things much easier to deal with as there's plenty of exposed line to cut a couple pieces out of.. and I could always join it back together with hose.
I don't want to remove the bumper if I can help it.. I've never been able to get body panels back on correctly.
But on the 92..there looks to be enough other stuff I could remove to gain enough access to the front and mount it.

I'll keep ya posted.. see what I can come up with.

Thank you for the tips.. really helped the creative process!

 

[wiswind]

I installed a transmission cooler on my '96 Ford Windstar, which was built on a modified Taurus platform.

I put the cooler in the rubber hose cooler line with is a 5/16" hose.
I cut the one that goes FROM the radiator TO the transmission.
In other words, the fluid flows from the transmission, to the in-radiator cooler, out the in-radiator cooler to the auxillary cooler, then back INTO the transmission.
This is the order that the fluid flows with the Factory installed cooler that comes with the towing package.

I ran the cooler lines up kind of through near the driver's side headlight to get in front of the radiator.
I mounted the auxillary cooler to the front of the A/C condensor coils, which are in front of the radiator.
I took care to dress the hose so that it was not hanging down (which is why I went through the radiator supports UP near the headlight instead of going UNDER the radiator) and also took great care to avoid rubbing against anything sharp, rough, or hot.
Where I thought the hose might rub something rough or sharp, I put some of that corregated plastic hose covering over the hose to protect it.

A brand of cooler that I would recommend is Tru-Cool LPD model 4452 or 4454.
I installed a Derale brand on my Windstar (plate and fin version) and it was great also.
I just installed the Tru-Cool 4452 on my Toyota Sienna.
I bought the Tru-Cool from www.bulkpart.com
The Tru-Cool has 11/32" fittings, and I bought some bulk 11/32" hose from them.
This size is between 5/16" (10/32") and 3/8" (12/32") so it will fit both sizes.

I have the 3/8" size Magnefine filter in the hose that goes FROM the Auxillary cooler TO the transmission.
The change interval for the Magnefine is 1 year or 10K miles.

An additional note......stop and go traffic in hot weather is one of the hardest situations for a transmission.
To keep the transmission MUCH cooler in this situation, I would have the A/C on, which kept the radiator fans running all the time (unless you are going over 35mph or so).
This keeps air moving over the auxillary cooler as well as the radiator, which enables the heat transfer from the fluid to the air.
Of course, VERIFY that the radiator fans are running (easy to check......at idle, with the A/C ON......raise the hood and see if they are running constantly, if the temperature is over 40 degrees F).
If the radiator fans are not running with the A/C on with the vehicle not moving, and the temperature is over 40 degrees F, then there is a problem.....common cause is the radiator fan low speed dropping resistor.
This resistor is in a rectagular(ish) ceramic block......mounted on top of the metal inner bumper very close in location to the passenger side headlight.