tranny cooler too small?

[paulski617]

I bought a tranny cooler today and have it partially installed.  I have to pick up some fittings in order to finish.  I feel as though it may be too small.  I can't even find any specs regarding the gvw, as most state.  It is I think 10X15X3/4.  It's a Hayden Econokool 242010 or 402, different sites list it by different number.  Even if it's smaller than I should have used, it's still better than not having one at all, right?  

I don't think they would allow me to return it, nor do I really want to take it out and start over.  OK, I already know that I'm an idiot, so other than that, what do you think?

[wavery]

I bought a tranny cooler today and have it partially installed.  I have to pick up some fittings in order to finish.  I feel as though it may be too small.  I can't even find any specs regarding the gvw, as most state.  It is I think 10X15X3/4.  It's a Hayden Econokool 242010 or 402, different sites list it by different number.  Even if it's smaller than I should have used, it's still better than not having one at all, right?  

I don't think they would allow me to return it, nor do I really want to take it out and start over.  OK, I already know that I'm an idiot, so other than that, what do you think?

What are you installing it on and how much weight are you towing and carrying?

[AustinBoston]

I bought a tranny cooler today and have it partially installed.  I have to pick up some fittings in order to finish.  I feel as though it may be too small.  I can't even find any specs regarding the gvw, as most state.  It is I think 10X15X3/4.  It's a Hayden Econokool 242010 or 402, different sites list it by different number.  Even if it's smaller than I should have used, it's still better than not having one at all, right?  

I don't think they would allow me to return it, nor do I really want to take it out and start over.  OK, I already know that I'm an idiot, so other than that, what do you think?

If the tubing is smaller than the existing tubing, then you need a larger one, even without towing.  That is one case where it would be worse than nothing.

Is it connected before or after the standard (in-radiator) cooler?

Austin

[SPXTrader]

Just did a quick search on the Hayden model you bought.  Seems it's real popular with the ricer racer crowd (small high rev 4 banger motors), but that doesn't mean it won't work for your application.

It is a tube and fin type.  There is much newer technology on the market today.  They are now making a LPD or Low Pressure Drop cooler.  It works like this:  Transmissions need a certain amount of heat to function properly.  If the fluids get too hot, they fry.   If they get too cold, they don't function properly.  The LPD system has a built in system to tell if the fluid is too hot (lower pressure from thinner fluid then opens the cooler to allow the fluid to "drop" thru the cooler) or too cold (bypassing the cooler altogether).

Now all of this sounds expensive, but it's not.  $ 65 to $ 85 for the cooler and fittings beats a $ 1500 tranny job any day of the week.

Check it out

Tru Cool Link

[paulski617]

The vehicle is a '96 Windstar.  My camper weighs about 1300# empty.  We'll probably be right around 2500# towing and hauling.

[wavery]

The vehicle is a '96 Windstar.  My camper weighs about 1300# empty.  We'll probably be right around 2500# towing and hauling.

I take it the Windstar doesn't have a "Towing Package". The cooler that you have will help but I personally would feel better with a Hayden 403 at the very minimum.

The 402 is 15 1/2" x 5" x 3/4" and rated for COMPACT AND MID-SIZE CARS LIGHT TOWING TO 2,500 LBS, gross vehicle weight of 16,000 lbs.

The 403 is 7 1/2" x 12 1/2" x 3/4" and rated for Mid, full sized cars, pick-ups & light towing up to 3,500 lbs, GVW up to 18,000 lbs.,  
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-403-HAYDEN-Transmission-Oil-Cooler-1403-18-000-GVW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33727QQihZ011QQitemZ320118627930QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TRANSMISSION-COOLER-18-000-lbs-GVW-HAYDEN-1403_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33727QQihZ011QQitemZ320119991910QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

However, for the difference in price, you may want to concider the Hayden 404 15 1/2" X 7 1/2" X 3/4" rated FOR PICK-UP TRUCKS AND VANS, HEAVY DUTY TOWING TO 5,000 LBS.   GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT TO 22,000 LBS
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-404-HAYDEN-Transmission-Oil-Cooler-1404-22-000-GVW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33727QQihZ011QQitemZ320118574721QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[SheBantam]

I had a tranny ccoler installed by Cottman Transmission on my 2001 Windstar a few months ago...now that the weather is hot, the minivan is overheating...like in the red, not towing but in heavy traffic.  

The AC will put out ONLY when I am moving, at a traffic light the vents blow hotter and hotter air.

Raymond thinks that maybe the cooler is too big and blocking the air flow around the radiator. Could this be?

We know that we have a bad O2 sensor, could that make an engine over heat?  Will be towing with the F150 until I get this squared away.

You can e-mail me if you think you know what might be causing this.

Thanks!!!

[wavery]

I had a tranny ccoler installed by Cottman Transmission on my 2001 Windstar a few months ago...now that the weather is hot, the minivan is overheating...like in the red, not towing but in heavy traffic.  

The AC will put out ONLY when I am moving, at a traffic light the vents blow hotter and hotter air.

Raymond thinks that maybe the cooler is too big and blocking the air flow around the radiator. Could this be?

We know that we have a bad O2 sensor, could that make an engine over heat?  Will be towing with the F150 until I get this squared away.

You can e-mail me if you think you know what might be causing this.

Thanks!!!

Sounds to me like your electric fan may not be working. I'd check it out before you drive it again.

The O2 sensor won't do that....

[chip]

Sounds to me like your electric fan may not be working. I'd check it out before you drive it again.
 
The O2 sensor won't do that....

I would agree with that hypothesis...It's been cool enough here, until this past week, that there may have been enough airflow while driving to keep the temp under control.  Now that it is warmer, and you are sitting in beach traffic, not enough air movement.  
 
Tech at Cottman's could have left a wire disconnected?

[AustinBoston]

I would agree with that hypothesis...It's been cool enough here, until this past week, that there may have been enough airflow while driving to keep the temp under control.  Now that it is warmer, and you are sitting in beach traffic, not enough air movement.  
 
Tech at Cottman's could have left a wire disconnected?

I'd almost bet that's it, and I am not a gambling man.  Unless there's a sheet of cardboard covering half the radiator, I'd suspect the fan.  Before replacing it, I'd make sure it's connected.  If there was recent work done, make really sure it's connected.

If you work around the fan yourself, be really careful, because on many vehicles, the fan can start even with the engine off.

Austin

[wavery]

It could be a fan relay or fuse too. I think that vehicle has a 2-speed fan. If the engine is hot, that fan should be roaring. Some people complain that they are too loud.

If you have enough room, you may even be able to add an additional fan if you're concerned about air flow. I doubt very much if that is your problem though.

[SheBantam]

Thanks guys!!! I will call Cottman and have them take a look, if it issomething they did not connect, then I think it should be on them...should be anyway.  And I have truck now that needs the tranny checked and serviced.

Yes Chip, it was the weekend, it was holiday/beach traffic that effects us even up here in the far north of Delaware.  We get the people heading north here too since we are right by the Del. Mem Bridge.  I think it was Monday when we were doing some errands on US 13 and Kirkwood Hwy.  Middle son bought a house and settled last Friday so we were helping him.

[SheBantam]

It could be a fan relay or fuse too. I think that vehicle has a 2-speed fan. If the engine is hot, that fan should be roaring. Some people complain that they are too loud.

If you have enough room, you may even be able to add an additional fan if you're concerned about air flow. I doubt very much if that is your problem though.

There is no extra room.  They charged over $100 extra for the labor to put the cooler on the minivan because everything is so tight and they had to do extra work (dismantle stuff and re-mantle it once cooler was in).  These Windstars have almost no hoods and they have to be creative when installing tranny coolers.

You  all are probably right and something in the re-mantling was not hooked back up.

[SheBantam]

The Windstar is in a shop that is sertified for delaware Emmissions,  they condemed the "Dual fans". they said that the o2 sensors look fine and that when an engine run hot, it can trip the whatever that will read o2 sensor codes.

I took the paper from the Ford dealer back in the winter when they (erroneously) condemned the transmission. They also said that there was some gasket loose.  The shop I took the van to today does not see it, but will do a smoke test after the dual fans are in.

Thanks guys for helping me out and pointing me ina the right direction.

[aw738]

Most electric fans don't even come one if the vehicle is moving. Only when driving slow and sitting still. If the fan is connected it may also be a coolant temp sensor but it should light check engine light.