The ‘Right’ Way To Install a Transmission Cooler

40 thoughts on “The ‘Right’ Way To Install a Transmission Cooler”

1. Yep your like me, measure once and cut twice bro 😳🤣🍺

2. You said that the nuts go on pretty easy now and so you don't want to get paint onto the threads I would suggest you get lock nuts so they don't go on pretty easy this way they won't come off very easily either like you mentioned in the beginning vibrations

3. I am a owner of one of this 2003 pilot, you have an awesome job whit this pilot, I love all the content of this pilot I can’t wait to see the final result of this pilot series

4. I would have used rivnuts and the fluid would come in the bottom but otherwise good job.

5. I expected a cake, then, I looked at the name, I'm not on the ETCGJUAN Chanel

6. I wonder if they’re worried about the built in radiator transmission cooler being contaminated.

   If someone’s in the market for a remanded trans. They might have 200,000 miles and it’s just not up to snuff anymore. Or maybe the old transmission went out and clogged the existing lines/cooler with metal shards.

7. I've been kicking around the idea of a trans cooler on an '01 jeep Cherokee for about a decade. But what always stops me is concern over the atf getting to proper operating temp. I live in an area which can have excruciatingly hot summers over 100° F but fairly cold winters. A cooler would be great in summer, but would it inhibit proper operational temps in winter?

8. Eric… One other thing you could do: On your top hose, right next to the cooler– you could put a little "Tee with a cap or bleeder valve of some sort– so that you can bleed the air out of that line– because it's so high above the trans that it could trap an air bubble up there.. I suppose you could just pop that top hose off the nipple and let it bleed out that way.. (idk, maybe it's not an issue, and the pump will push the air on around anyway.)

9. I think it was fine where you had it the first time. Like you said, "sitting in traffic wouldn't cool it very well. But also, when you're sitting in traffic, you're not using your transmission much either… I do like that you changed it though, because the one place that this will work better on now is a slow crawl while off-roading; When your pulling up hills and rocks and going very slow– the transmission is getting used quite a bit, but you're not moving much. Maybe you're pulling a camper trailer up the side of a rocky mountain trail— moving it closer like you did will help it. One other thing that you could have done and can STILL do really, is to put little side walls all around it, and create it's own little plastic shroud that butts right up to the condenser to help that fan FORCE the air through your trans cooler.. So a custom shroud around your trans cooler is one more upgrade if you really need even better cooling for a serious off road rig or something; but I doubt you'll ever need it. Nice upgrade.

10. What did you torque the brackets to? Totally kidding LOL

11. I was taught to do it through the radiator first, but it makes sense to eliminate the chance of an internal radiator leak

12. Inlet and outlet side to side or UP is usually recommended. Down is not recommended as it can trap air pockets, decreasing cooler efficiency.

    The cooler routing is probably specified to bypass the radiator as if your trans failed (since you are installing a reman), your trans cooler in the radiator could still be filled with contamination that will just be dumped right back into the new trans. For daily drivers in northern states, I typically route trans>radiator>cooler>trans to help with warm up in the winter. The toys just go to a cooler and back.

13. I installed 1 in my 89 chevy 4 D tranny coz the line 4 tranny share w/D coolant systm and I also installed 1 4 my 02 ram 1500 for engine cooler w/fan puller they work 👍👌

14. it looks spot on, It's very neat and looks like it belongs there 😀
    You are so good at fabrication eric.
    Just think about the things you have made and recreation of chassis parts.
    Ill give you 11 out of ten lol.

15. Awesome job, Eric, but please paint those new bolts a flat black. They stick out like a sore thumb when viewed from the front of the car.

16. Great video Eric. Instead of adding some transmission fluid into the transmission, do you recommend adding some to the cooler and the lines prior to connecting it to the transmission?

17. you could buy already bracket for oil cooler from a rdx 25520-rwc-000 and 25530-rwc-000 for me time is money!

18. Very well done. That was enjoyable to watch

19. What if I’m not towing would still be best if I had one? I have a 2011 Acura MDX

20. I found the OEM Transmission and upgraded P/S coolers on an MDX for $20 each at a salvage yard. I don't plan to tow, but I want the added piece of mind to keep the transmission running longer. I'm at 232K miles on an 2005 Pilot.

    I definitely will do something similar if I upgrade to an aftermarket cooler. I'm looking forward to when you add a supercharger and intercooler. Thanks!

21. I always thought if your mounting a cooler in front of a radiator you want it as close to the radiator as possible (without touching) so the air that goes through the cooler is then forced through the radiator. If there’s a gap it can stall and then not go through the rad so you lose water cooling. Just what I’ve seen on race cars but they don’t run fans so poss different on a road car with fans.

22. When the OEM cooler in the radiator goes out, coolant mixes in and you end up slipping and burning clutches, I guess that's why they want you to by-pass it to keep your warrantee. Towing capacity is 2 tons or less on this, use premium gas when towing. Maybe consider a valve body upgrade, trans temp gauge, and active cooling if you will tow a lot.

23. Would an automatic transmission benefit from a cooler even if I do not plan on doing any towing?

24. True. Your videos are cool and fun to watch😁👍

25. To custom make something is so satisfying.

26. I have an 08 Acura TL and it jerks when coming to a stop. I’ve done motor mounts, pressure switches, cleaned solenoids, and 3×3 drained and filled transmission fluid. I’ve noticed that the pulling/jerk does not occur in the mornings but after it gets to operating temp. Do you think adding an external trans cooler could help ?

27. Honda recommends a P/S cooler also if your going to tow, so ill see you with a P/S cooler install video? Haha

28. Very nice.

29. what supercharger are you using? gearzy bear?

30. You thinking of using the Pilot to pull cars around with the tow dolly?

31. Do most automatic transmissions have inlet and outlet ports on them for possible transmission coolers? (Assuming it's an SUV or something that can tow)
    I was under the impression that those had to be added for the longest time, shows how much I know 😂

32. The best and the right way. Thank you Eric for this tutorial

33. We always add in an external inline replaceable filter. A temp gauge on rigs used to tow often.

34. I noticed that you made a pretty major mistake. You should have used Constant-Tension Spring Clamps as that is a hose that transfers hot fluids which will expand and contract. Those Worm Drive Hose Clamps are not made for that application and will most likely fail in due time.

35. 😀👍

36. Transmission fluid routing should be the radiator before transmission. This way, in winter, the transmission fluid is not too cold. Same thing when you are stuck in traffic, you are not going to get any airflow so the radiator will do it's job to cool the transmission fluid. Even if you are not towing, transmission cooler should extend the life of the transmission.

37. I installed the factory awd trans cooler on the day I bought my 2013 fwd Pilot because alls I had heard about Honda V6s was failed transmissions on earlier generations. I also change the fluid regularly and have had good success in my occasional towing of cars or uhaul box trailers of all sizes. Just be gentle on the gas pedal when towing. 185k miles so far, fingers crossed and knock on wood, rub the rabbit's foot.

38. 0:45 yes your videos are cool and fun to watch, and have saved me hundreds if not thousands of dollars in repair bills. Thank you Eric.

39. ETCG If I had a car I would like you to be my Master Automotive Technician

40. Now I'm looking for a blower for my J series. Darn you Eric the Car Guy!

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