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Trans. Fluid Cooler Advice

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Illini Tacoma, May 5, 2021.

  1. May 5, 2021 at 4:49 PM
    #1
    Illini Tacoma

    Illini Tacoma [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Okay ya'll, I've made the decision to install additional trans. cooling capabilities on our 2016 Tacoma DCSB. I'm seeing temps at 200° for a short time while unloaded-not towing. What little towing I've done so far I've seen trans. fluid temps as high as 212° for short periods of time. The Tacoma trans. may be capable of withstanding short stints of those kinds of temps but my nerves will not.

    Question: is it better to remove the factory cooler in front of the AC condenser and replace it with a bigger aftermarket cooler, or install an average sized aftermarket cooler and mount it on the passenger side of the radiator opening and hook it in series with the factory installed cooler? Is that advisable, and if so is it overkill?

    I want to get the job done the first time and have it be adequate for what I'm doing.
     
  2. May 5, 2021 at 5:05 PM
    #2
    wiljayhi

    wiljayhi 1. I don’t know … 2. I don’t care

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    Before you do anything, try pinning your atf cooler thermostat open. Drive around for a bit and see how it works out for your nerves. I tow a fair bit and my temps were lowered by about 20*f when I pinned mine open. I’ll un-pin for the winter.
     
  3. May 5, 2021 at 5:34 PM
    #3
    Illini Tacoma

    Illini Tacoma [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I've read several times that the thermostat can be pinned open but I'm a bit sketchy on how to do that. Anyone have a pic or two to bring me up to speed?
     
  4. May 5, 2021 at 5:45 PM
    #4
    Skydvrr

    Skydvrr IG: @kalopsianick

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    I chose to remove the OEM and replace with a morimoto with fan. Pinning my tstat hasn't seemed to make a difference. Just today, getting off the freeway and running 3-4 miles on surface streets, my temps were 205-214. Empty, no load. Seems unavoidable for me. I just live with frequent drain and fills. Blackstone should be sending me a report soon in the trans fluid.

    C2DC08C0-DFC9-43EE-ADCA-D91A99148A38.jpg
     
  5. May 5, 2021 at 5:46 PM
    #5
    Skydvrr

    Skydvrr IG: @kalopsianick

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    Also, I have an OEM cooler for sale :D
     
  6. May 5, 2021 at 5:54 PM
    #6
    wiljayhi

    wiljayhi 1. I don’t know … 2. I don’t care

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    Crawl under and find this gizmo on the passenger side of your tranny. Push in the button in the middle with a screw driver and pass a pin (or drill bit) through the pin hole from one side to the other. Pressure of the button against the pin will hold it in place.

    0CBF7D3C-C858-4EE1-B23B-B0F4B2517D4E.jpg

    upload_2021-5-5_19-53-21.jpg

    Pinned, open.
     
    Last edited: May 5, 2021
  7. May 5, 2021 at 8:25 PM
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    Fpc187

    Fpc187 Well-Known Member

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    I added a B&M super cooler on my 2004 tacoma and it made a huge difference on tranny temps. But I also installed an auxiliary Autometer trans temp gauge to keep close eye on it as well. The B&Ms are made really nice with stacked plate design and some even have backflow prevention built within.
     
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  8. May 5, 2021 at 8:30 PM
    #8
    Lt. Dangle

    Lt. Dangle RIP @stun gun 2016-2020

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  9. May 5, 2021 at 8:32 PM
    #9
    hiPSI

    hiPSI Laminar Flow

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    I tow and don't care. I trust.
     
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  10. May 5, 2021 at 8:34 PM
    #10
    Lt. Dangle

    Lt. Dangle RIP @stun gun 2016-2020

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    Trust. But verify.
     
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  11. May 6, 2021 at 3:45 PM
    #11
    Illini Tacoma

    Illini Tacoma [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Okay, guys, I made the decision to install an aftermarket trans cooler. My nerves won't allow me to see consistent trans. fluid temps over 200°F!

    I settled on a B&M Supercooler. It looks like a solid, durable unit.........I hope! I have decided to leave the OEM cooler in place and hook the two coolers in series. Is the size of the hose that comes with the Supercooler the same as the OEM hose? What I'm thinking of doing is getting a double hose barb and hooking the OEM hose that is the outlet hose for the OEM trans. cooler to the inlet hose going to the Supercooler.

    Is it advisable that I allow the hot fluid from the trans. to go thru the radiator then into the OEM cooler and then on to the Supercooler then back to the trans? I've thought about it and that seems to be the logical way to go. I'd like to get all my ducks in a row before embarking on the installation.

    Also, it appears that the installation will be MUCH easier if the grill is out of the way. Is grill removal on our 2016 Gen 3 a huge problem. I haven't looked into that as of yet.

    Thanks guys!
     
  12. May 6, 2021 at 3:59 PM
    #12
    wiljayhi

    wiljayhi 1. I don’t know … 2. I don’t care

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    If you’re depending on the OEM t-stat to route the fluid through both coolers, you might find that it doesn't open normally until about 205*. That’s what I found on mine (it was opening at too high a temp) and why I pinned it open. I’m suggesting that you try it pinned open before modding. At worst you see no change but I’m suspecting that you’ll be surprised.
    Cheers
     
  13. May 6, 2021 at 5:07 PM
    #13
    Illini Tacoma

    Illini Tacoma [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I will pin it and see what happens prior to installation but I've already pulled the trigger on the trans. cooler so that's a done deal. At this point I'm seeking information regarding the proper routing of the cooler lines and the grill.
     
  14. May 6, 2021 at 5:20 PM
    #14
    wiljayhi

    wiljayhi 1. I don’t know … 2. I don’t care

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    What I was attempting to get at is that the t-stat may be waiting too long to open. If you’re seeing temps of 200* in the pan, I suspect that your cooler is not even in the loop. So adding a second cooler won’t do any good if the t-stat is set to open at too high a temp. (Too high by our standards). You’ll see what I mean shortly after you pin it. :D
     
  15. May 6, 2021 at 5:28 PM
    #15
    scotkw

    scotkw Well-Known Member

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    Trans tstat doesn't open until after 195. You could put 14 coolers inline and it would still never be below 195 since no fluid is flowing through the cooler and lines until after 195f.

    I pinned mine and put a fan on the stock cooler. Stays below 180 on hot summer days. But I Have not towed much.
     
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  16. May 6, 2021 at 5:40 PM
    #16
    wiljayhi

    wiljayhi 1. I don’t know … 2. I don’t care

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    it’s been my experience that the pan temp is not much higher than normal when towing, maybe a couple of degrees. It tracks the same when pinned only the operating temps are much lower.
     
  17. May 6, 2021 at 7:38 PM
    #17
    Illini Tacoma

    Illini Tacoma [OP] Well-Known Member

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    My objective is not to reduced the temps below 195°F, my objective of the additional cooler is to minimize the spikes of way over 210°F climbing hills while towing.
     

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