Shocking and Confusing results from trans cooler install.

[Wingnutt]

Today I installed a B&M transmission cooler on my 05 V6 PreRunner

the cooler install was without event, went off the radiator exit, to the B&M intake, from the B&M output to the trans.

started her up, no leaks, went for a drive to let it run through the gears and circulate the fluid through the cooler and such.

then comes the weirdness

I got home, took off the fill plug, and pulled the check plug (the allen key plug).. and fluid just gushed out... about half a quart...

the transmission should have been LOW on fluid after installing the coolant.... but according to the check plug.. it was half a qt over filled..

how is this even remotely possible?

is there a chance someone else (previous owner) overfilled the tranny at some point?


needless to say, I'm scared to drive the truck now.

[chris4x4]

The auto tranny fluid cannot be checked unless the tranny temp is at a certain temp. Best to take it to the dealer, and have them adjust the fluid.

[98tacoma27]

Sounds like the system is airlocked.

[Wingnutt]

Ok wow, i didnt read any crap like this on the writeup on how to do the damn cooler install, It as straight foreward, said just to run the truck through the gears, then check and top off the fluid as needed untill it starts to trickle out. so now what, i cant drive my truck till I take it to the dealer ship Monday to get raped?

I have to drive 300 miles TOMMORROW and this is my only vehicle.

[wolfpack_5150]

I wouldnt put any more miles on it cept straight to the dealer.........What writeup are u referring to? Have a link?

[Wingnutt]

Well, I did the best I could with what I had.

I figured up the amount of fluid lost during the install (1/2qt) and the capacity of the cooler and extra hoses (oddly NOWHERE is its capacity listed, I figure it at a little less than 1/4 qt)

and pumped that much fluid back in the trans. that Will have to hold me over till monday.

pretty sad that just having to take the truck to have the fluid level checked at the dealership makes total cost of the install go from $50 to $150..

what a crock.

[Wingnutt]

Originally Posted by wolfpack_5150

I wouldnt put any more miles on it cept straight to the dealer.........What writeup are u referring to? Have a link?

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=238482

there are multiple links on this site to this writeup..

the final steps (the refill are such)

7) Crack open the 24mm fill plug on the passenger side of the transmission. Connect your transmission bottle to your pump or hose and start working in the fluid until it comes out of the bottom overflow plug. I pumped in the whole quart and it just started dripping out at the very end of the bottle. I guess I lost near one quart of fluid during the whole process. I rerouted the hosed a few times during my install until I got things the way I liked.

8) Install the 24mm plug and overflow Allan plug and your done reinstall the skid and grill and your done.

like I said, no mention of ever needing anything from the dealership.

[wolfpack_5150]

Originally Posted by Wingnutt

Well, I did the best I could with what I had.

I figured up the amount of fluid lost during the install (1/2qt) and the capacity of the cooler and extra hoses (oddly NOWHERE is its capacity listed, I figure it at a little less than 1/4 qt)

and pumped that much fluid back in the trans. that Will have to hold me over till monday.

pretty sad that just having to take the truck to have the fluid level checked at the dealership makes total cost of the install go from $50 to $150..

what a crock.

sux indeed.......was the cooler needed or just because?

The trans usually doesnt have to be changed till 100k but if ur towing it has a different maintenance schedule IIRC.

[Wingnutt]

Originally Posted by wolfpack_5150

sux indeed.......was the cooler needed or just because?

The trans usually doesnt have to be changed till 100k but if ur towing it has a different maintenance schedule IIRC.

I bought a 28' travel trailer. on paper even without the cooler Im "within limits" but I wanted to be safe..

Ironically the process of trying to ensure the longevity of my transmission may be what dooms it.

[wolfpack_5150]

makes sense to me.

[Wingnutt]

Well, hopefully things are ok now.

I got ahold of a guy who had some insight on the issue. He told me .. very simply how to do it..

start the truck, let the engine reach operating temp... leave it running... open the fill plug, remove the check plug, and add fluid till it starts to trickle from the check plug hole... if the fluid is creamy, its full of bubbles, there is air in the system, keep adding fluid till the fluid draining from the check plug hole is bubble free. replace both plugs, shut her off your done.

[baildavc]

Another TW thread with a happy ending!! lol...

[chris4x4]

Originally Posted by Wingnutt

Well, hopefully things are ok now.

I got ahold of a guy who had some insight on the issue. He told me .. very simply how to do it..

start the truck, let the engine reach operating temp... leave it running... open the fill plug, remove the check plug, and add fluid till it starts to trickle from the fill plug hole... if the fluid is creamy, its full of bubbles, there is air in the system, keep adding fluid till the fluid draining from the check plug hole is bubble free. replace both plugs, shut her off your done.

THis is good info....Leave the ranny in Park, or Neutral?

[Wingnutt]

Originally Posted by chris4x4

THis is good info....Leave the ranny in Park, or Neutral?

The pump is driven directly by the engine through the torque converter, so it really doesn't matter, but I left mine in park for safety reasons.. being that I would be under the truck while it was running.

also there is a typo (now corrected) in my previous statment..

and add fluid till it starts to trickle from the fill plug hole

should be from the CHECK plug hole.


I told him the dealership told me that the transmission fluid had to be "within a specific temperature range" and he said "yea.. operating temperature... thats the temperature the transmission will be used at so thats the temp you set the fluid level at" which of course made perfect sense and of course I had not even thought of..

so basically drive around a bit to attain said temperature.. park it, leave it running.. and do it to it.

[chris4x4]

LOL...Yeah.... I know how the fluid is pumped, but was just wondering.