External tranny cooler

Stellablue · Post by **Stellablue** » 23 Feb 2018, 16:11

Hello,

I am New here. This site has ton of info thanks to all! I have 2004 xc70. Summer is coming, I get stuck in hot freeways, and was wondering if anyone has installed an external tranny cooler. If so is it worth it and any recommendations.

Thanks
SB

Post by **oragex** » 23 Feb 2018, 20:22

Welcome to the forum! Don't hesitate to ask for other questions as well, it will surely help maintain the car and lower the repair costs.

I think there have been already external filters added, and perhaps also coolers, the owners will surely post their experience. Generally speaking, the transmission cooling system is quite robust on these cars, assuming the radiator fan is working properly (it can go bad sometimes).

What is important would be to replace the fluid with the correct type. Toyota type IV from Toyota dealers or Mobil 3309 would be the closes oils to the one sold by the main dealer. Still, if money is not a problem, I would definitely use the fluid from the main dealer, despite the need of about 15 liters to properly replace the old fluid. Volvo never recommended servicing the fluid for most cars, which was a mistake. However they did recommend replacing the fluid in specific conditions, for the cars that are towing or being driven in hot climates on hilly areas. In such conditions the fluid heats up past the operating 80C temperature and starts loosing its properties. Most of the times the computer will throw a 'transmission servicing' message when or if the fluid has degraded past certain point from overheating. It will probably be easier to first replace the fluid, then see if an external cooler still may be of an added benefit. One thing to remember is the fluid replacement must not be done by a regular garage using a transmission 'flushing' machine. Instead, we replace it using a procedure described in several Youtube videos.

Post by **abscate** » 24 Feb 2018, 05:06

Stellablue wrote: ↑23 Feb 2018, 16:11 Hello,

I am New here. This site has ton of info thanks to all! I have 2004 XC70. Summer is coming, I get stuck in hot freeways, and was wondering if anyone has installed an external tranny cooler. If so is it worth it and any recommendations.

Thanks
SB

Welcome Stella...if you are in Skinny-apolis, Volvo doesn't consider that hot weather. Just change that fluid and change your engine coolant every 3-4 years and the stock system will be fine.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 24 Feb 2018, 05:51

The stock system uses the coolant so you'd have to overheat that as well. A fluid change every now and then is a good idea regardless.

Stellablue · Post by **Stellablue** » 24 Feb 2018, 06:28

Appreciate the input, thanks. The fluid is looking a little dark. I have some 3309 ATf order up. I am hoping to get it changed before a storm that could dump 6-9 inches of snow on us today. We will see.

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 24 Feb 2018, 07:46

How many miles on your '04?
Might be prudent to check the fluid in your bevel gear.
Also, fuel filters are commonly overlooked.

FYI: Should you install one......
One trannie cooler retrofitted to our vehicles was the long wide one salvaged from 240's.
It fit below the radiator neatly.
The fellow even included dimensions of metal bits he fabricated for installation. I can't remember which forum.

Stellablue · Post by **Stellablue** » 24 Feb 2018, 14:30

There is approx 172,000 on the car. I drained and filled the tranny today. Man that fluid was grosser than I thought. Anyways, I got it back to tranny cherry red. It ran fine before but there is a definitely feels better. Maybe the placebo effect who knows.

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 24 Feb 2018, 16:50

Super! Did you pump it out via a disconnected cooling line or do repeated D&F's?

Stellablue · Post by **Stellablue** » 24 Feb 2018, 17:16

My daughters and I did it through the disconnected cooling line. I figured they should learn how to work on cars too. The fluid was really dirty. I am thinking about driving the car for a few hundred miles or more and do another.

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 25 Feb 2018, 06:09

How many quarts did you use?
If it's real clean now I'd drive it till warm weather at least.
How much "cleaning" the new fluid will do is argued and discounted.
Do what you like but I'd give it to June or July.
Where is Mpls?