Automatic trans cooler

dbeckwith · Post by **dbeckwith** » 24 Jul 2011, 06:02

Anybody have any experience installing cooler on an 850? If so is there any thing I should be especially aware of? Did it provide the results you were expecting?

Thanks

Post by **bigdaddylee82** » 24 Jul 2011, 09:37

You mean an auxiliary cooler, separate from the one built into the radiator?

I've got one on my N/A 850, but not for performance. It was a quick fix after ripping one of the cooler lines out of the radiator, and I just kept it after getting a new radiator.

I have this Flex-a-lite cooler from Summit Racing. It's only $36 and works great, it's probably way bigger than anything these cars would ever need.

I just cut the factory rubber cooler lines and used the provided hose, hose barbs, and clamps in the kit. I used the plastic mount zip tie things and mounted it on the A/C condenser, in front, flush with the bottom, hose barbs pointing toward the transmission.

- Lee

dbeckwith · Post by **dbeckwith** » 24 Jul 2011, 11:21

Thanks for the response Lee. I have shifting issues when the transmissionis hot and i am taking a stab in the dark.

Post by **jblackburn** » 24 Jul 2011, 11:28

I seem to remember you saying it would rev up then smash into gear once the RPMs get up. Does your transmission act up only when hot?

gswede · Post by **gswede** » 24 Jul 2011, 11:45

This setup workes wonders for me, easy install and sufficient cooling.
I have not fitted any temp sensors but occasionally after haulig stuff, I can not restrain myself from touching the outlet of aux cooler. Never burnt myself so to speak.

Did a run with 2MT selv leveling material on a double axle trailer and even then it did not get too hot.
My setup: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=37869

Just to put everyone at ease, I do not normally haul anything but my butt and occasionally the mrs.
And yes, I know 2MT + trailer is not only beyond safe limit but also illegal. sry

dbeckwith · Post by **dbeckwith** » 24 Jul 2011, 12:04

jblackburn wrote:I seem to remember you saying it would rev up then smash into gear once the RPMs get up. Does your transmission act up only when hot?

Yes. I know this is a stab in the dark but I don't have the capacity the pull the trans and I am not going to pay someone else and since I drive maybe 4000 miles a year I thought this might to the trick. If not I am out maybe $50 and I will just drive in 3rd until it dies or I do, which ever comes first.

Post by **bigdaddylee82** » 24 Jul 2011, 12:19

gswede wrote:This setup workes wonders for me, easy install and sufficient cooling.
I have not fitted any temp sensors but occasionally after haulig stuff, I can not restrain myself from touching the outlet of aux cooler. Never burnt myself so to speak.

Did a run with 2MT selv leveling material on a double axle trailer and even then it did not get too hot.
My setup: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=37869

Just to put everyone at ease, I do not normally haul anything but my butt and occasionally the mrs.
And yes, I know 2MT + trailer is not only beyond safe limit but also illegal. sry

I have thought about putting a spin on type filter inline on one of my cooler lines to obviously add a removable filter, and also add fluid capacity. I see you have 2 Magnefine filters, first I've heard of them. My concern has always been the flow restriction that a filter would cause. I looked up the Magnefines and the transmission specific filters are 3 micron, that's pretty small, and you have 2 of them. How long have you had them on there, how often do you have to change them, and have you had any issues with the flow reduction?

Sorry for the thread hijack Dbeckwith, it's still kind of related.

- Lee

dbeckwith · Post by **dbeckwith** » 24 Jul 2011, 12:54

No problem. It is a good question. It seems reasonable that the more capacity the cooler the fluid will be, not to mention the filtering effect. Maybe a person should have an auxiliary tank to hold extra fluid.

gswede · Post by **gswede** » 24 Jul 2011, 13:46

The process of flushing the transmission by drain and fill method will have to be repeated several times over. I did drain/fill 3 times prior to hooking up the filters and cooler.

When i first started the process i noticed some but not much, fine metal debris on the drain plug.
I figured adding filters would relieve the system of settled derbris and particulary from the radiator cooler.

My reasoning for this is the big drop in fluid velocity entering the cooler and the potential for settling metal in the lower parts of cooler. Although this cooler is arranged vertically thus reducing potential settling bed area it is not a certainty that there is no settling there.

The filters have been on 4 months now, approx 6k km. I plan to remove them after another round of 3Xdrain/fill and then leave the auxiliary cooler wich is mounted horizontally to relieve the system of, if any - solids.

I plan to dissect the filters upon removal for further analysis of transmission health status.
However, the last filter (return flow to tranny filter) was taken off after approx 3k km to verify flowcapasity by the unscientific way of pooring fluid through it.
1 liter container, 2 meter hose, 2 meter hydrostatic pressure * ATF SG 0,86 = 2,49PSI
The result = filter flowed = happy camper.

The 3 micron filtration unit has to my knowledge enough surface area to allow sufficient flow.

gswede · Post by **gswede** » 24 Jul 2011, 14:02

As for an auxiliary tank, the cooler provides excactly that. You should always account for the extra volume of both the cooler and filter(s). In this case just shy of 1liter.