The most common transmission cooler failures are due to either a leak in the body of the cooler itself, or a clogged line caused by something flowing through the system. This most likely is from the transmission itself.

Besides, How much difference does a transmission cooler make?

After adding a transmission cooler to most vehicles will net an average 20-25 degree drop in trans temps. As pointed out before, transmission temp increases of 20-25 degrees higher than 175 dramatically decrease your fluid and overall transmission’s lifespan.

Keeping this in mind, How do I know if my transmission cooler is bad? You hear odd noises coming from the transmission: Your transmission may have difficulty shifting between gears, or there may be clunking or grinding noises during shifts. This can indicate transmission fluid loss, high internal transmission temperatures, or both, which can be caused by a bad transmission cooler.

How do I know if my transmission cooler is clogged?


Signs Your Transmission Fluid Filter is Clogged (And What To Do About It)

  1. An Unexplained Rattle. Sometimes, you know exactly what’s making your vehicle rattle. …
  2. Whirs or Whines. …
  3. Leaking. …
  4. Burning Smell. …
  5. Problems Changing Gears. …
  6. A Noisy Neutral.

What happens when transmission oil cooler fails?

When a transmission oil cooler hose fails it can cause the transmission to overheat. This can be due to low fluid level from a leak or preventing flow. In either case if the transmission overheats it can stop working entirely and this condition may be permanent.

Does transmission cooler increase performance?

Though each performs the same job – cool the transmission – each type does it a little differently. Whichever transmission cooler design you choose, rest assured that it will extend the life of your transmission by preventing heat-related failures and improving shifting performance.

Does an automatic transmission need a cooler?

Most standard transmissions do not make as much heat and therefore do not have a cooler. The cooler for the automatic transmissions are placed inside the radiator, the reason behind this is the antifreeze provides the perfect environment.

Can you run a transmission without a cooler?

Transmissions work best when they can stay cool. (“Cool”, not cold. … But the engine block gets hot and this can heat the transmission. Furthermore, there are transmission problems that can interrupt your transmission’s normal cooling mechanisms and cause it to overheat.

How much does it cost to replace a transmission cooler?

You will pay somewhere between $100 and $450 for a transmission cooler line replacement. The labor should be between $60 and $300, while parts can cost you anywhere from $40-$160.

How do I know if my transmission cooler is leaking?

Signs Your Transmission Cooling Lines are Failing

Leaks where the cooling lines connect to the radiator are common. Look for red fluid when checking for leaks. Low fluid levels – If you suspect a problem with your transmission lines, check the fluid levels using the dipstick. If the levels are low, it indicates a leak.

Can you clean a transmission cooler?

The only way to clean a transmission cooler is to use the only transmission cooler flushing machine that can get rid of 99.9999% of debris and contaminants in the cooler. … Only the Hot Flush can clean your cooler of 99.9999% of debris and contaminants. The Hot Flush machine is often immitated, but NEVER duplicated!

What will happen if my transmission filter is clogged?

When the transmission fluid isn’t clean or is blocked by a clogged filter, the internal components won’t have the lubrication they require to function properly. This could lead to shifting issues, grinding gears, slipping transmission or other common symptoms of transmission problems.

What does a clogged transmission filter sound like?

1 A high-pitched whining noise that gets worse in reverse could mean that you have a clogged transmission fluid filter. A great test for a clogged filter is to raise line pressure without raising engine rpm. You can do it by shifting into reverse. If the volume goes up in reverse it indicates a clogged filter.

Can you drive with a bad oil cooler?

You can drive for a while, depending on the symptom you notice. You can manage the car with a bad oil cooler as long as you don’t need to do any tasking driving.

What causes oil cooler failure?

Oil in the cooling system

This happens because when the engine is running, oil pressure is greater than cooling system pressure. Oil is forced into the cooling system. This will eventually cause a lack of lubrication and can severely damage your engine.

Should transmission cooler be before or after radiator?

Should the cooler be installed before or after the radiator? Answer: We recommend installing the auxiliary cooler after the radiator to return the coolest fluid directly to the transmission.

Can a transmission cooler be too big?

Too big could be a concern if mounted in the front of the rad creating a loss of air flow to keep the engine cooled . Years ago , GM released a TSB about overcooling the transmission in cold climates .

Is it possible to over cool a transmission?

Heat is a huge cause of transmission failures but running too cool is bad also. Just as an engine has to run hot enough the trans has to run hot enough to get rid of any condensation that builds up inside and to keep the viscosity at the correct level for best operation.

Why do automatic transmissions need coolers?

Do I Need a Transmission Cooler? Transmission coolers help to protect your transmission when you turn up the heat. Transmission Coolers help transmissions deal with the added stress and heat caused by towing boats, trailers and other heavy objects.

How do you cool an automatic transmission?

Allowing the car to idle in neutral, while sitting at red lights, in congested traffic or at rail road tracks, reduces the strain on the transmission, allowing the transmission to cool.

How can I make my transmission cooler?

Allowing the car to idle in neutral, while sitting at red lights, in congested traffic or at rail road tracks, reduces the strain on the transmission, allowing the transmission to cool.

How do you fix an overheating transmission?


What to do when your transmission is overheating:

  1. Stop driving immediately and let your transmission cool down.
  2. Make a note of what you were doing, where you are, what’s happening (noises, etc.)
  3. After cooling down, start back up & gingerly continue on your way.

How do you change a transmission cooler?


Step by Step Guide to Replace the Cooler Lines

  1. Raise the Vehicle. It would be best to work on level ground to ensure that your vehicle does not lean too much on the jack when lifted. …
  2. Drain the Transmission Fluid. …
  3. Remove the Old Line. …
  4. Install the New Cooler Line. …
  5. Replenish the Transmission Fluid. …
  6. Double-check.

How do I stop my transmission from overheating?

Change the transmission fluid regularly

We recommend that you change the transmission fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, and more often if you drive long-haul routes, operate your vehicle in hot climates, or tow heavy loads. This reduces transmission wear, which in turn reduces the risks of overheating.