Transmission Cooler Adding On to 2017 4 Cly Automatic

Have a transmission Cooler I plan on installing, but not sure how to had the extra fluid I will lose as well as the additional fluid required to fill trans cooler. Any simple way of doing this? With Honda I had, got under with running and added till start spilling over everywhere......am I close on the 2017 Tacoma?

 

Bump... would be good to know

 

Basic How to Add Transmission Fluid in a 2016 Tacoma
Maintaining transmission fluid at the proper level and temperature are important with any vehicle. The Toyota Tacoma is no exception. The difference is the procedure required to adequately check and fill the ATF fluid. While dealerships are capable of performing the service, there is a substantial cost savings when the truck owner performs the task himself.

Things Needed

• Fluid catch pan
• Toyota ATF WS transmission fluid
• Combination wrench set

• [paste:font size="3"]Step 1
  Locate the thermostatic valve if the Tacoma uses a trailer towing package and lock it open. The valve is positioned on the right side of the transmission. Press the shaft of the valve in with a screwdriver. Lock the valve open by inserting a 1.5 millimeter pin into the visible hole on one side of the valve, and pressing it through until the pin protrudes on the other side. Locking the shaft open will ensure an accurate fluid level adjustment. If a trailer towing package is not available, skip this step.
  
  
  Step 2
  Depress the parking brake. Press and hold the driving brake down, then start the engine. Continue to hold down the parking brake and shift the transmission through all available gears. Pause for one to two seconds at each position before moving to the next. Cycling the shifter through all gears will distribute the transmission fluid throughout the transmission.
  
  
  Step 3
  Continue to run the engine at idle to warm the transmission fluid to its optimum level check temperature. The range for checking the fluid level is within the range of 115 to 133 degrees Fahrenheit. Once at optimum temperature, check the fluid level.
  
  
  Step 4
  Locate the overfill plug at the bottom of the transmission. The overfill plug is in what would normally be considered the drain plug. the bottom plug is connected to an overfill tube and protrudes up and into the pan. Therefore, when the plug is removed, only excess fluid flows from this port.
  
  
  Step 5
  Place a catch-pan beneath the overfill plug. Remove the plug and allow any excess fluid to flow into the pan. If no fluid flows into the pan, pour transmission fluid into the refill port with the refill plug removed. Continue to fill with Toyota WS transmission fluid until it begins to flow from the overflow port. When fluid drains from the overfill, the proper fluid level is set.
  
  
  Step 6
  Reinstall the refill plug and the overfill plug into the transmission. Remove the catch-pan from underneath the truck and kill the engine.

 

Lets have a peek at what transmission coolers do
TRANSMISSION COOLERS
If you do not have a transmission cooler on your truck and you plan to tow or haul heavy loads or you are in heavy stop and go traffic and use 4X4 low a lot , consider purchasing a cooler . The cooler thats built into your rad is designed to cool the transmission with the weight of just the truck by itself .When you are in 4x4 low , your torque converter is usually in the stall stage and creates a tonne of additional heat .You dont have much air flow going through your rad when you are in low range 4x4 .
160 - 200 are considered normal temps providing your engine radiator is functioning properly . If your engine overheats , your transmission will also overheat
Normal fluid temperature in transmission to be 175 deg. F.

Rate of oxidation to double for each temperature increase of 20 deg F above normal (175 deg F). As oxidation rate doubles, useful life of fluid is cut in half.

At 175 deg F life is 100,000 miles
At 195 deg F (20 deg above 175) life is 50k miles
At 215 life is 25k miles
At 235 life is 12k
At 255 life is 6,250
At 275 life is 3,000
At 295 life is 1500
At 315 life is 750

At temperatures much above 300 deg F the metals in the transmission will tend to warp, twist etc. high temperatures causes the formation of varnish deposits which impair or pre vent transmission operation.

At a fluid temperature of 415 deg F fluid life is 30 minutes!

Source: Empire Lubricants Inc.
Consider a scan guage http://www.amazon.com/ScanGauge-Comp.../dp/B000AAMY86
Here is the best information for the scan guage http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd...-pressure.html

Ultraguage is now offering transmission temps http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/318340-ultragauge-transmission-temp.html

You could also use the Torque app with an Android phone as a cheap alternative to watch your temps http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/per...d2-reader.html

This is how Low Pressure Drop technology works::
When Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is cold it is viscous. The unique Tru-Cool design allows the colder, thicker ATF to flow more efficiently through two open bypass channels positioned at the top of the cooler. As operating temperatures increase, the ATF becomes hotter and thinner, It's then directed through the core where it is cooled. Tru-Cool's highly efficient cooling technology combines improved protection against lube failure with optimal heat transfer.
http://www.amazon.com/Long-Tru-Cool-.../dp/B005XZXB1M
Long Tru-Cool Oil Coolers offer advanced cooling protection for many towing applications. The advanced technology out performs TUBE & FIN Designs, Delivers up to 15 times less flow restrictions, 30% more cooling delivers maximum heat transfer, Self-Regulating for maximum lube flow protection through start-up, varied temperatures and driving conditions, heavy loads and towing.
Here is Toyotas fluid flow guide ...Look at page 8 on this PDF http://www.toyotatundraforum.com/pdf/A750E.pdf
And here is a guy who recently installed a cooler correctly http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st...agram-pic.html

cooler and fan install http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd...n-install.html

 

Thanks for the info! Would be nice in simpler terms where to ensure the supply and return hose of the transmission fluid. For what I am reading the drain plug with only drain excess fluid. So after installing the cooler all you have to do is run the car and add fluid till it comes out of the drain?

 

Thanks a ton for posting this. I have the tow package but was thinking of adding this to the OEM equipment due to the fact I live in phoenix and tow a travel trailer frequently during the summer months.

$280 Derale 15960 Hyper-Cool Remote Engine/Transmission Cooler , Black

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004...1_7?colid=1NM8Z24UVGUWV&coliid=I298IQTOXGPHGG
The only thing that had been stopping me was the fact that I had no idea what to do about topping the fluids off.

 

Wow gearcruncher for the win as usual

 

I was just reading this again and noticed the title of this thread was referring to a 4cyl. Will this method for topping off trans fluid work with a 3rd gen with 3.5 6cyl and 6 speed auto? I'm really wanting to add a larger trans cooler soon. Thanks again for your help!

 

Nevermind! I was able to find tons of info on here about how to check and top off 3rd gen trans. Thanks!

 

Easiest way to do what you want is... install the cooler...catch all fluid that comes out....After you button it up and add the 3/4 Qt for the cooler and enough to replace the lost fluid.....then add least another 1/2 qt. for good measure. (overfill).. If you felt it was low from the factory, then add more at this point.... Cheap insurance over going thru the process again later..
Now bring her up to the check Temp range and pull the drain/fluid check plug..... wait till a small trickle and plug her up.

You are done.

 

Thanks a ton! I've already come up with an idea for some brackets and how to mount it but been kinda scarred off from doing so because I actually thought the trans service machine was necessary for checking and filling. Love the information on TW!!

 

No way man... you can jump the OBD connector and do it yourself, if you are a handy guy and read the attached thread....
Just substitute the "AT TEMP" light for the "D" (Drive) as the indicator....
Good luck my friend..

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/

 

Thank you!! I'm think I can make it even simpler by just using a scangauge to make sure the temp is at proper checking level. I plan on picking one up right quick anyways since I've been doing a good amount of towing.

 

Yes, that will work just as well as my 5" piece of #18 wire...!! Go for it man..!!

 

? Here, Tru_Cool LPD Trasmission oil cooler has a by past built in so when fluid is cold it by passes cooler, at what temp does it stop by passing the cooler and is it this temp in range of what transmission fluid must be at to be checked for proper level? This is on a 2017 tacoma seal transmission. guess what am asking if fluid is not warm enought to stop by passing and temp is right for checking level it could give right reading but be unfilled when by passing cooler stops.

 

Thats a great question .
True cool doesnt list a temperature range in their product specs for the opening temp of the bypass .
The cooler only holds about a cup of fluid which wouldnt make much of a difference .
When installing the cooler for the first time , Take the truck for a hot run , then allow the truck to cool and then check and fill the transmission .
This will guarantee the cooler is now filled .
Once the cooler is filled with oil , it will not empty out .
If you want an answer directly from true cool , give them a shout
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@redbird48oo I don't know if you have installed your cooler, its been over a year since your original post. This is what I've done on my 2012. https://youtu.be/U5w6Wwmahhw