Auto Trans Cooler

[just startin]

This may be posted in the wrong area BUT the question is !- As I tow a Camper Trailer a Cub Spacematic Drover (around 1.5t loaded for long trips away) do you think I need to fit an Auto Transmission Cooler to my tow tug a 2009 Pajero.
   I have not had any poblems yet towing on mainly hwy and good dirt roads but will be doing a 6wk trip around Sept. to Mungo NP-Flinders-Birdsville-Innamincka-Camerons Cnr- Darling River Run
   All replies welcome as I have read in mags that this is the way to go

[D4D]

Something like this is the go http://www.daviescraig.com.au/Oil_Coolers-HYDRA_COOL_UNIVERSAL_30_PLATE_HEAVY_DUTY_COOLER___PART_No__679-details.aspx

Although I'd fit a temp gauge prior so you have a frame of reference

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Hydra-Cool-Transmission-Oil-Cooler-8-Cylinder-Universal.aspx?pid=125648#Description

[just startin]

Thanks D4D I will fit a Temp gauge first and seee how it go's on a short trip on Stockton Beach

[Wortho]

Synthetic transmission fluid can also handle more heat and in my experience the transmission did not get as hot after switching to synthetic fluid. The problem with mineral fluid is it oxidise's once it has been overheated, once this occurs it no longer provides the lubrication required and thats when the damage occurs (http://www.digi-panel.com/trannyoil.htm) . I keep an eye on the temp and if it hits 100c I usually slow down or switch to low range to get the gearbox to lockup (less friction). I have also fitted a bigger cooler recently and fitted a digital temp gauge off ebay ($120) on the cooler outlet pipe.
Cheers
Mark

[Silvo]

i fitted auto trans cooler to mine. the 150 prados are known for giving the temp warning light when either towing on slow hills at low revs or in sand work.. i used to get it in both, now, i never get it. i consider it cheap insurance. $500 installed for a 10"cooler.

[Kit_e_kat9]

You could always test it out on the Mapleton Range (from Kenilworth to Mapleton) or tow it up Spicers Gap Road to the NP to see if it will be a worry.  The BF won't take the ute that way anymore (towing) as the red light comes on before getting 1/2 way up  :'(  He's thinking about options for extra air to the auto box.  He did put a bash plate over it and that won't help any.  There is a place at Yatala that manufactures extra cooling bits.

Kit_e

[Bird]

I consider it cheap insurance. $500 installed for a 10"cooler.

thats the way I think of it too.. box rebuild is many thousands of $$$...

[Matto]

I had a big auto cooler fitted to the Pathy before we went to Moreton a couple of years back. It was summer time, and the sand was liable to be soft. For an auto, this means lots of hard work at low speed. Low speed means not much airflow, so a bigger cooler helps combat that.

Without having driven the tracks you're going on, I'd make the call based on what you think your average speeds will be. If you'll be working hard in low-range, then as has been said, an aux cooler is cheap insurance. If you'll be mainly dirt road touring, then I don't think you'll need it. A couple of uncles of mine have Pajeros, and have towed big vans all around Aus. Their trips are mostly on-road, but the Paj's seemed to handle it perfectly fine.

Put it this way - there's no downsides to fitting one. Better that, that have you worry for the whole time you're away.

Good luck!
Matto

[oldblade]

I stuffed around with Toyota as every time we took the swan out the auto over heated
I bitched and moaned about how it wouldnt tow with our over heating the second I went up a dirt hill or when I went out to Stockton without the camper

Then I gave up went to repco picked up the biggest cooler I could $150 some extra pipe about $15 and spend about 30 min installing and  my auto now loves me

[WilSurf]

I had a V8 trans cooler from Davies installed in my Surf and no more overheating.

[seqfisho]

If you tow with an auto then fit a cooler...........it's that simple.

Also if your new vehicle service schedule only recommends the transmission fluid changed at 100K, throw out that service book and get it done every 20-30K and you will have a chance of the transmission lasting the life of the car.

And as said above synthetic fluid also reduces temps and doesn't break down as quick as mineral oil, but is still no substitute for a cooler, and if you do a lot of steep hill slow towing then even consider fitting a cooling fan to the trans cooler and that is about the best combo you can get.

I dropped 20-30degC when I fitted mine, and now watch the trans temps like a hawk since I installed a scangauge and the highest temp seen since was 119degC in super soft sand pushing it hard in Hi range, before the cooler I had the trans light come on twice, and the factory light is set to come on at 146degC

[Black-Pig]

Yep the Hilux does not like steep and slow with the camper on. This will be added to the auto cooling system soon.