TRANSMISSION . Transmission coolers for all Toyotas ... Write up with many pictures

The truck needs to be running to check the fluid level.

When not running, a lot of fluid drains into the pan, so you are probably low right now.

 

That was my other thought. Good thing I bought 2 qts. I drove around the bock a couple times last night and couldn't get it up to temp. Got it to 90 deg and still dropped some. After work I'm going to give it another go and try to get it to temp and top off.

 

Put a piece of cardboard in front your tranny cooler - that should help it warm up faster when driving around.

 

Yeah it was getting late last night and I didn't want to dick around to long on it. After work I got to go home and get this done and then I have an alignment this afternoon. I have a short drive to works it should be warm by the time I get home. The trans skid is making it a bit of a chore to get it done but not to horrible.

 

The skid plates can be very annoying..........

 

You need to read up on the proper level check procedure. You added a cooler and accidentally drained some fluid too? I guarantee you're a few qts low at this point. Might not cause any issues right off, but eventually it will

 

I did read it but I didn't see anything saying not to open it if its not to temp. I didn't loose a drop with the cooler install but I know I am at least 1/2 or 1 low now. Its a little warmer today so after work I'm going to add a full qt get it up to temp and hopefully be able to check while its there. with the little driving I have done so far it got to 110 but immediately dropped to 98 once I stopped moving so I'm not sure how I am going to get it to stay in range. I might just put my buddy heater in front of the truck while I'm doing it.

 

The pan temperature range is 97-115 degrees Fahrenheit per a TSB. You should be able to hit that without much problem on the interstate, even if its a super cold day.

 

You dont need to drive it to get it up to temp, fyi.

And the trans cooler should not affect how fast it gets up to temp from a cold start if you ran it the OEM way.

 

I tried to just run it in my garage first and it didn't get above 60 deg after 20 mins. drove around the block twice and it only got up to like 90. the temps were below freezing though so maybe that's why. I thought the range was 115 to 130. My other problem is getting it back to the garage to add fluid before it cools off to much.

 

Are you able to measure the total amount you have drained? You can add that much in to get you back to ballpark amount in the system until a warmer day.

If you read the two how-to threads on replacing ATF, both state to check the ATF level while idling.
Step 11 - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-full-flush-for-automatic-transmission.68462/
After the pics - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/

I see this thread does not cover it and maybe thats all you relied on?

 

Can't really I made a mess on my trans skid but I am guesstamating it was about half a qt.

 

You will have a very hard time getting the pan up to ~100*F in a cold climate during the winter without driving. And 2nd gens do not have a T-stat as far as I know, so ATF is constantly running through the cooler as soon as the truck starts.

Once up to temp it wont cool off that quickly. Just have everything you need ready to go when you get back to the garage and dont forget the basic safety stuff while you're under there with the truck running. Ideally you'll have about 1/2 - 1 qt more than you need in the trans so you only have to do the check procedure once.

 

That's a horrible set up for someone who lives in cold climates

 

What are the appropriate idle temps for the transmission. I noticed my truck idle temp after driving home from work is high. Is this normal?

 

Depends a lot on your driving style, ambient temps, and the roads you're on. Thats high for me and my conditions, but I wouldn't say its anything to worry about if thats after your commute home.

You should see the higher temp (torque converter) drop down to almost match the pan temp if you are cruising at a steady speed on a level highway. If its consistently higher, then the converter is staying unlocked for some reason. Thats where most of the heat in the system comes from

 

Fairly normal .
Keep in mind that the transmission is also cooled by the engine radiator . The transmission is also kept warm by the engine radiator .
Your engine is most fuel efficient at 180 F * .
If your engine overheats , your transmission will also overheat

 

Alright this is going to be a bit off the hook --

Is there such a thing as a transmission cooler -- for a MANUAL trans?!

Never heard of such a thing, don't know if it would be useful even under very heavy towing loads? How hot can/does a manual trans get when operating at the upper limits of its torque & power capacity?

I guess one could rig up a dedicated pumping/circulation system to run the manual trans lube oil out to a heat exchanger. Could give a little added benefit by having a larger oil capacity as well.

 

There should still be links on the first page .

 

Transmission coolers for a Manual transmission .
These will also work on differentials and transfer cases

https://www.driftmotion.com/Driftmotion-Manual-Transmission-Oil-Cooler-Kit-p/dm3561.htm