04 V70R anyone running an external tranny cooler ?

Baptiste1106 · Post by **Baptiste1106** » 14 Jun 2015, 13:33

I'm thinking of putting a " stacked " transmission cooler in my R to cool things down. Anyone else have an external tranny cooler ?

Post by **vtl** » 16 Jun 2015, 07:22

Many of us. I have Hayden coolers in both 2002 V70 and 2005 XC70.

Post by **jimmy57** » 16 Jun 2015, 20:24

Why do you think you need a cooler?
I drive these cars all the time with Vida hooked up and monitoring ATF temp. It never runs hot. If you pulled a trailer below 30 mph in mountains you could get it hot as the torque converter wouldn't lock in the lower gears. Otherwise the fluid temps stay between 205 and 210 consistently.

The 5 speed valve body solenoid issues are not temp driven.

Baptiste1106 · Post by **Baptiste1106** » 17 Jun 2015, 08:20

Well when tranny heats up it starts shifting funny. I've already been told by multiple people that it sounds like I need a rebuilt valve body & or solenoid(s) replaced but an external tranny cooler can ONLY help NOT hurt

slicker · Post by **slicker** » 01 Aug 2015, 22:24

I'm sure the transmission cooler will do no harm and maybe help slightly.

I found replacing the solenoids to solved the same problem. Not difficult, probably takes 3 - 4 hours. Once done the funny shifting dissappeared altogether. I would put my effort into that.

Baptiste1106 · Post by **Baptiste1106** » 02 Aug 2015, 19:58

Yea I'm looking into the tranny company transtar that sells updated solenoids but yea I'm leaning towards that. Is there a link to the DIY procedure ?

Post by **shiloh51933** » 04 Aug 2015, 06:19

Baptiste1106 wrote:I'm thinking of putting a " stacked " transmission cooler in my R to cool things down. Anyone else have an external tranny cooler ?

Considering the torque/hp the R puts out it would be a good idea for an automatic transmission, especially if you run it kinda hard sometimes. What kind of ATF you running? How often do you service your trans fluid?

Baptiste1106 · Post by **Baptiste1106** » 04 Aug 2015, 20:26

Mobil ATF 3309 just changed 3k ago. Previous tranny service unknown but I bought the car w/ 98k and now it has 102k

Post by **jimmy57** » 04 Aug 2015, 21:31

I have a 2004 V70R with 226K miles and original trans with no repairs. When I monitor ATF temp with VIDA it is never over 104 C. It is rarely that high. Only when I repeatedly take off with high throttle will t get that high. The torque converter locks in the top two gears, and locks in third when driven hard where it stays in 3rd longer. Locking the TC cuts out the main source of ATF heating.

Do two more drain and refills with Valvoline MaxLife ATF that lists application for Volvo 1161540. It is synthetic and I have used it for 3 years and have absolutely no issues. I drive the car pretty aggressively and it is firm shifting into every gear. That Valvoline fluid is about $18 at Wal-Mart in my area.
If that doesn't do it then get the fluid temp monitored to be sure it is not overheating.
Can you feel it do the 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4 lock, and then 5th with simultaneous lock shifts?
When the trans is cold, below 125F/50C fluid temp the TC will not lock. Once it reaches that temp the 5th shift will have a very short delay until lock and then within 2-3 minutes it will have warm enough fluid temp to have immediate TC lock with 5th shift. If you drive more aggressively where it stays in 3rd, like acceleration up a grade, then you can feel the 3rd shift and then TC lock.

Describe the shift irregularities you are feeling.

Post by **abscate** » 28 Feb 2018, 19:26

The vast body of evidence for external aftermarket transmission coolers Is generated by the manufacturers of these units. They most definitely add complexity and more failure points to your car