How To Flush a Transmission Cooler -EricTheCarGuy

If you're installing a new or rebuilt transmission into your vehicle, it's a good idea to flush the transmission cooler. When your old transmission failed, it probably sent a bunch of gunk right into your transmission cooler. Before you run your new transmission it's a very good idea to get all of that gunk out of there. It's a simple procedure that can save that shiny new transmission you just installed. In addition to that, if you have a Honda like I do, it's an even better idea to install a new in line filter into the system. This will ensure that your new transmission lasts a good long time. In this video we flush the transmission cooler and install a new filter into my 2001 Honda Odyssey. After all I've been through with this van lately, it's great piece of mind. Here's some useful links for you.

Stay Dirty

ETCG

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[wellnesspathforme]

If you don't have a service manual, you can tell which is the coolant input and output by running the vehicle for a little bit and then touching to see which line is hotter and which line is not so hot. The hotter line is the input. I picked that up from a video I watched just before this one.

[ericwright]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the great info. Over the years you have helped me change break pads, rotors, O2 sensor, do a radiator flush, diagnose/fix electrical problems, and diagnose/fix hesitation/stall issues. You seem to genuinely care about your viewers. What you do is greatly appreciated!

[townpimp]

@Ericthecarguy is such a well spoken person. Im in school for automotive tech. and my teacher is a great mechanic but a horrible teacher. im passing with flyong colors but i dont fully get everything. your videos have helped so much, keep them coming!

[tragichero]

I had a motor blow in a ford expedition on my way to IL. The owner of the truck found out after when the truck had it's motor replaced they never flushed the oil cooler for the engine oil. It was full of junk and wasn't letting oil flow like it should. Ik this video is for the trans but still thought i would share. Doing a service like this before replacing the trans is VERY smart.

[ericthecarguy]

Automatic transmissions use the fluid to operate the transmission, manuals only use their fluid to lubricate. Automatic transmission fluid is doing a LOT more work therefore it needs to be cooled.

[bbay]

The filter is a great idea. I have to replace my 4L60E in my 2002 camaro and I will have to flush my lines out and also install a filter. That will give me 2 filters on my trans and just keep everything cleaned. Thanks for posting this.

[averyalexander]

Good video, but I don't think that flush got all the contaminants out of the cooler, at 7:32 you can see that the fluid being blown out of the cooler is a dark grey color. In my opinion a better option in this situation would be to install a good external cooler in front of the condenser and not use the one in the radiator, you can get a good cooler for less than $50. You would get the benefit of far superior transmission cooling with no risk of any contaminants ending up in your new transmission.

[sam]

Thats a cool tip thought back flushing was only used for heater cores, radiator/coolant systems, or condensor flushing... but now i see you can uses it with transmission or other systems in general any system that you want to clean out and the pressure isn't going to harm anything or introduces any chemical reactions like corrosion or degradation of parts

[ericthecarguy]

If there's still stuff left in the cooler it will be filtered before it goes into the transmission. Also, placing filters on the inlet is common practice in most systems.

[zuneid]

Eric, you are helping me so much, i've learned a lot wd ur videos. Big hug from Africa (Mozambique)

[christophers]

while I do agree with you that regular oil changes are the best way not everyone does it so I think that's why Eric is fitting the inline filter. also I think he is fitting the filter to try and catch any remaining metal particles. I would also like to add that there is a built in tolerance for every part on a car or any vehicle or machine what I mean is that this filter will not affect the transmission as any restriction it might cause will be well within the manufacturers built in tolerance.

[PaulHenreid]

I like the idea of an inline filter, especially since they are cheap and easy to install. I'm glad I thought of it lol.

[johnkaplanian]

Also, a very good way to keep the life of automatic trans. is to install a supplementary oil cooler. I hope you make a video on that someday. I think even if you are not gonna haul something, and extra cooler will tremendously extend the life of automatic trans., especially in hot and tropical locations.

[RobertWilliamChase]

Eric, not working on a car at the time. I do have a Honda & saw one of your videos and wanted  to see a few more. Well done and well spoken to me, not too funny but just right to keep me

[johnkaplanian]

Thanks Christopher for your feedback, I think the nipples of the filter being of lesser diameter than the hose it fits into is creating a non accountable marginal restriction. As I understand that the return line have a lesser pressure in the circulation which preferably should have the oil flow comfortably without check point so as not to strain the circulation. I think if changing the oil at 75% less mileage than what is recommended, then no need for this filter.

[ericthecarguy]

That's a great channel. It's been recommended quite a bit.

[levelvtl]

14 and watching ericthecarguy's videos? I wish I had this at this age... Keep watching these ;)

[JonathanThompson]

Eric pauses and acknowledges us with a confirmation of achievement at 6:40.

[michaelovitch]

Very high performance vehicles like race cars or sport cars, heavy trucks have manual transmission and have an oil cooler, and can even oil heaters.
The oil suffer from heat caused by friction, rolling etc and can loose its properties and cause parts to wear out quicker if not cooled down.
manual transmission can have oil pumps for its own lubrication too.
all is a question of size and use.

[DavidSmith-mkqo]

Typical cooler line pressure is about 30PSI. But when the unit goes into lock up it can run as high as 50 or 60.