Additional automatic transmission cooling radiator: description, device, diagram and reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Every car enthusiast knows perfectly well that for the efficient operation of such a complex mechanism as an engine, it is important to ensure good heat dissipation from working parts. The cooling system successfully copes with this. However, some other units also need to remove excess heat. It is for this reason that an additional automatic transmission cooling radiator is installed on many cars.

Once an automatic transmission was a curiosity, to the delight of many drivers who appreciated it. Now it is considered the standard, and you will not surprise anyone with this mechanism.

Automatic transmission

The automatic transmission is closely related to the engine. A modern power unit is able to withstand high temperatures, which is helped by engine oil, which has become more resistant. But here the automatic transmission units are distinguished by a more gentle character andunable to withstand overheating.

Automatic transmission is a no less complex mechanism, which also constantly operates under increased load. As a result, this leads to an early failure of the transmission units.

Everything needs a measure

Any mechanism will work efficiently if the optimum temperature is maintained. The automatic transmission is no exception. The coolant temperature should not rise above 130-140 °C for efficient engine operation. What can be achieved with the help of an additional cooling radiator for a Volvo automatic transmission (for example), since in an automatic transmission, transmission oil (ATF) is involved in the transmission of torque. During the operation of the car, it is able to warm up to 100-120 ° C.

Most modern cars are equipped with electronics that allow you to monitor almost all systems, including temperature readings. It is impossible to name a common normal temperature for all automatic transmissions due to the fact that each car uses a different transmission design. The corresponding value is provided for each case.

On average, the oil temperature should not exceed 60-95 °C, ideally when it is 85 °C. If the indicators approach 100 ° C, then this already threatens with serious consequences. But heating to 115-120 ° C or more is much more dangerous. Exceeding just 15-20 °C can lead to complete failure of the gearbox.

What is the danger of overheating of the transmissionoils

The absence of an additional automatic transmission cooling radiator in the Volvo XC90 (like any other model) leads to oil overheating, which, in turn, can end very badly for the unit itself. More specifically, the following items may be affected:

• Wiring.
• The liquid itself.
• Friction discs.
• Solenoids and valve body.

The automatic transmission also contains wiring, which, when the oil overheats, simply cannot withstand high temperatures and melts.

The transmission oil threshold is approximately 120-130°C. And if it is exceeded, it begins to lose its properties with amazing speed. And this leads to a loss of lubrication of the working parts of the box. Friction increases, and as a result, they wear out quickly.

As for friction discs, in an automatic transmission they can be conditionally divided into hard and soft. And if the former can still somehow withstand the high temperature of the working fluid, then the latter, on the contrary, are destroyed. Cracks appear on them, which leads to their bending. Ultimately, the drives begin to malfunction. Therefore, it is necessary to install an additional automatic transmission cooling radiator.

But that's not all - in an automatic transmission, the oil is controlled by a valve body, inside of which solenoids are located. It is they who are involved in the opening and closing of the channels through which the oil passes. And since they are usually made of plastic, then, like wiring, whenoverheating begin to melt. The valve body itself suffers in very rare cases, while it becomes covered with cracks, which leads to its deformation.

If any element fails, then a complete disassembly of the box is required in order to diagnose and replace worn parts. And such a procedure costs a lot.

Oil cooling

In early versions of cars with automatic transmission, the transmission oil was cooled by an additional radiator, which was mounted next to the main one. Naturally, the benefits were tangible, only the cost of this method was high, so most manufacturers refused to install an additional automatic transmission cooling radiator.

But what about modern cars? For this purpose, a part of the main radiator is used, inside of which there is a partition that prevents engine oil from mixing with ATF. Only for effective operation it should be regularly inspected and cleaned. Otherwise, overheating cannot be avoided.

However, this method has a significant drawback, which is a small area of contact between the oil and the cooling air flow. In addition, many modern engines feel good at temperatures of 100-115 ° C, while 95 degrees is already the limit for an automatic transmission.

Car behavior

Any driver sooner or later faced with the strange behavior of an automatic transmission while driving a car. Lost smoothnessshifting gears, and this often manifests itself after a long downtime in a traffic jam. This may already be a reason to install an additional automatic transmission cooling radiator.

It's also not uncommon for there to be jolts and kicks as the speed shifts from low to high.

This behavior is typical of a car that is operated in difficult conditions:

• frequent gear changes;
• tow loaded trailer;
• long operation of the engine at high speeds.

Under such a load, it is impossible to avoid strong heating of both the automatic transmission itself and the transmission oil that is poured into it. Often this indicates overheating of the box oil, which can be verified from the readings. On many modern models, you can observe the temperature of the transmission oil.

Necessity

And if the threshold exceeds 95 degrees, you need to take action, namely, to perform a complete cleaning of the transmission. That is, the filter, oil, radiator and pipes should be replaced. At the same time, the driver can only change the oil on his own, since not every car can change the filter. This is mainly about those models where there is no way to remove the pallet.

In this case, an advantageous solution would be to install an additional automatic transmission cooling radiator on the Infiniti FX35, for example. Usually it is placed between the box and the main radiator, but more often a small product is placed directly in front of it. This step will not only savetransmission oil from overheating, but will also significantly increase the resource of the automatic transmission itself.

This need is caused, first of all, by the reason for the high loads on the box. The resource of parts is significantly reduced not during acceleration or constant movement of the car at high speed. Their wear occurs many times faster when the car just stands still with the engine running. And these are traffic jams that are full of all megacities, no matter what country you are in.

More modern and sports cars, as a rule, are business class, equipped with special systems that automatically turn off all systems, including the engine itself, which saves many components and mechanisms from wear. Unfortunately, the cost of such models is very high and not everyone can afford such a luxury.

Additional radiator

Do not be afraid that the installation of an additional automatic transmission cooling radiator on a Chevrolet Cruze (one of the most popular models) will somehow affect the performance of the box. Although no, it will affect to some extent, but for the better. At the same time, the driving characteristics of the car will not decrease, which you can be sure of. Unless the car gains a few kilograms, but fuel consumption will not increase from this, which cannot but please.

The problem of automatic transmission oil overheating was common in Chevrolet cars. And all because the Aveo, Cruze and a number of others are equipped with a GM engine, whichoperates at a temperature of approximately 115 °C. And the transmission oil cooling radiator is of a joint type. This also applies to other engines.

As practice shows, problems begin after 50-60 thousand kilometers, in some cases even earlier. Tremors and other signs of overheating appear in all their glory. An additional cooling radiator for the Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission helps to get rid of such troubles once and for all. And it's not even clear why many manufacturers never returned to their roots.

Self installation

The installation process is straightforward. First you need to purchase the radiator itself. To date, there is a wide range of products that differ in various ways:

• producer;
• price;
• sizes.

Of all the models, you should choose the one that suits your car. And since there is nothing else in the kit for the radiator, except for mounting, it is worth buying hoses (they must withstand high temperatures), clamps and adapters (tees). Better yet, change the oil with new fluid right away.

All work can be conditionally divided into several stages:

1. In front of the main radiator, the purchased product is attached using special ties, which is included.
2. After that, hoses are fixed on the radiator with clamps.
3. Tees crash into the main line of the automatic transmission.
4. The hoses of the additional radiator are connected with adapters - the system closes.
5. Complete oil change ortop up with a lack of it.

Usually, an additional instruction is included in the package of delivery of an additional automatic transmission cooling radiator, where the whole process is more clearly described.

Little feature

The installation procedure described above performs well in the summer, and the oil temperature is guaranteed not to rise above 80-85 degrees. But what about in winter? Here lies the flip side of the coin - the automatic transmission oil cools and thickens, which also does not benefit him.

Why not install an additional radiator now?! Of course, there should be no doubts - to put and how, but correctly! Additionally, a thermostat must be built into the system, which must be set to operate at a temperature of 75-80 ° C. Thanks to this, an additional radiator will be activated as needed. That is, when there is a threat of overheating.

How much does it cost to work at a service station?

If funds allow, you can contact any service station, where specialists will perform the work at a professional level. It's worth figuring out how much it might cost.

The radiator itself, according to average fittings, will cost from 2000 to 3000-3500 rubles, the price of the filter can be 1000-1200 rubles, a set of additional devices - about 500 rubles. The final cost depends on the model of the radiator and its accessories.

The work of installing an additional automatic transmission cooling radiator, depending on the car model and complexity, will cost around 8,000-15,000 rubles. Whatto choose in the end is already the prerogative of the owner of the car.

Opinion of owners

According to the reviews of car owners, the benefits of installing an additional radiator to cool the automatic transmission are more than tangible. At the same time, many drivers appreciated the disappearance of jolts and jerks that were earlier. Also, many noted the poor performance of the automatic transmission due to overheating. But as soon as they put an additional radiator, the problems disappeared by themselves.

Also, some drivers are of the opinion that such a measure is an urgent need, since the temperature in summer is high. Therefore, an additional radiator can protect the box from overheating. Then she will work as long as possible and efficiently.

However, judging by a number of other reviews, someone considers this a waste of money. However, in fact, the effectiveness is confirmed by the majority of drivers who have personally appreciated all the advantages of installing an additional radiator.