Oil Coolers Explained

Rocket Rod answers your questions about Oil Coolers and Transmission Temperatures as Jeromee stacks and packs product ready to meet the ever growing demand. Do you need an oil cooler? Can you run a transmission too cold? Just how Hot is too Hot? This is one episode not to be missed!!

Check out our range of coolers here:

[davidbland]

I have recently installed one of your coolers to my BT50. I immediately noticed a substantial drop in temperature and the box seemed to perform better especially towing a 2.5 t van. I run a automotive mechanical workshop in the eastern suburbs of Perth and have started recommending auto coolers from Wholesale Automatics to my customers. Great gear!!!

[wailingalen]

Nice to see homegrown operations doing well. Wish you well, and greetings from FL, US! 😇

[spudboy]

Thanks for addressing the 'how cool is too cold' topic.
I've fitted a trans cooler to my 150 Prado 3.0L, which was commonly running temps of 105 to 107 up hills, just heavily loaded (i.e.not towing). Now I've dropped at least 20 degrees off the top end, but for locked up highway driving the temps were sitting much lower than before at around 55 degrees. I was worried 55 was 'too cold' but seems there's nothing to worry about, so thanks for going into that. Cheers - David

[mohammed]

As a mechanic been working for 18 year in the field, it’s one of the best upgrades you can do for any car .

[murraypeate]

I had the Ranger Ultimate bundle deal installed on my 2020 Ranger a month ago. ScanGauge 2 was regularly reading ATF temp around 102 to 105 degrees. Now with the twin heavy duty cooler, bypass value and deep cast sump the temp is down around 70 to 73 degrees.

[JohnRolyAU]

I'm 13 years into my 200 with 180K on it. Mechanical sympathy is the #1 tool. being aware of EGT and trans temp are part of towing and knowing what you're doing. I have had nomad and lockup for years, also get trans serviced at Wholesale as needed, trans fluid has always been good. Also noticed with the Safari Armax ECU with crazy KW and Torque, the lockup stays in a lot longer without manually having to engage it.

[mrdoodle]

I don't tow so I have not seen the high temperatures mentioned in the video but buying a Scan Gauge was a great investment for me for my 200 series. A bit of faffing around to be able to get the data from the ECU, thanks to the Landcruiser forum for the instructions on how to do that. I would definitely consider fitting an oil cooler if I was seeing the trans temperatures getting anywhere near 100c

[ChrisSmith_bike]

I agree with your comments 100%. I have a 5 year old D-Max which has had a transmission cooler from new. I fitted it because I have a trayback camper for serious outback travel with a travelling weight of 3.3 to 3.5 tonnes. Temps are normally in the range 50 to 60 and up to 75 in heavy sand. The D-Max in standard form runs oil lines through the radiator water for cooling. This makes possible water getting into your transmission. For Isuzu' engines you would have to be mad not to disconnect the original oil cooler lines and fit an external transmission oil cooler.

[JohnNorthcott-bf]

I have a case 1150 dozer and have had it cook the oil several times running regularly up to 130 degrees. Put an auxiliary air cooler in front of radiator to augment the oil cooling tubes running through bottom tank of radiator. Now runs better. Great site you guys run. Thanks

[andrewiannello]

Excellent explanation 👌. Explained why my Pajero Sport likes higher revs on long uphill towing. It will still pull in manual lower gear, however on auto it prefers a higher gear, obviously it's tracking transmission temperature. After throwing codes in manual once before, I tend to leave it in auto now.

[dark-grey]

You mentioned Scan Gauge and that you prefer temperature gauges. I forked out the extra dollars for a Scan Gauge III for the best of both worlds: gauges (9 instant glance gauges on 3 screens selectable by one press of the screen) and the ability to check/clear fault codes, simple OBDII one electrical cable connection, etc. SCIII has two coolant temp readings in my Ranger that can differ a few degrees to each other. Scan Gauge III measures in 1 degree increments for temps. It also allows me to see the tyre pressure gauge readings I didn’t even know were fitted to the car.
I bought a 2nd hand 2016 Ranger and a relatively heavy van in close succession. The Ranger was not fitted with a trans cooler when we towed the van home, but I had one fitted not long after that first trip, and the transmission fluid replaced at the same time.The first trip in pouring rain and ambient temps in the high 20s saw the transmission temp up to 110 on the hills. With the cooler fitted and fresh fluid I’m consistently at 90 and under. Now I’m watching the trans temp less, but still like a hawk, and the coolant temps more which respond well to driving slower up big hills, only when necessary. I’m not a fan of holding others up just because I’m towing.

[keironmeakin]

Very good info, i have 2022 LSU dmax, travelled Perth to Brisbane along the south May last year, had engine guard fitted to observe temps, establish a trend. Picked up caravan in brisbane traveled Brisbane - Tennent creek - darwin back to perth, Obiously by now sept Oct temps picking up. No cooler fitted at this time. Soon after home in Perth, had a cooler fitted by Wangara Auto transmissions, noticable difference in Transmission Temps. As vidoe tells you, have a temp gage, now use Scangage 3 . You will know if something goes amiss

[robinlo]

Greetings from Malaysia. Well explained. Good info for those not yet installed an aftermarket trans cooler. I can notice the transmission shift smoother after installing the cooler. Highly recommend all to get one. Thanks for your efforts.

[Drftrfj]

thanks, ordering one today, been hesitant as I was always worried about it getting too cool. Have a MR triton, that rises to upper 90s when getting pushed

[DavidLeane-cplz]

Hmmm. Orings going hard. Something I hadn't thought about. Another interesting video. Thanks.

[danieloneill]

I fitted a Mishimoto 500x190x19mm ATF cooler to my Toyota U760E transmission. It's the largest cooler I could fit behind the open area of the grill (the squarer coolers would be "hidden" behind the front bumper and not in the air flow). Since fitting the cooler my ATF runs at about 65 deg C most of the time and the fluid isn't black after a few weeks of driving like it used to be. My car is 11 years old and it shifts and drives better than ever.

[beme]

PX2 Ranger ultimate kit installed, so so pleased I have done so early in the vehicles life pre 55k. Only wish there was a lock up kit for the PX2.

[jamesaustralian]

Brought one of yours recently because I like to support Aussie manufacturing.

[JimFritz-hb]

I had issues with my 6 speed ranger sticking in 3rd gear when towing. I had to manually shift gear. Since having a cooler fitted, it seems to have rectified this problem .I will be fitting the valve body upgrade after watching your videos.

[HealthSupercharger]

I agree with this man about lower gear helps the car climb better i live in Colombia where i put the car into 2nd gear to climb the slow 35 to 45kph windy roads. It stops from switching into 3 and 2 all the time