Thoughts about a trany cooler in my 4 banger Camry

[Roly Nelson]

In previous years, both of my motorhomes had trany coolers, to help save the transmission from overheating during the long pulls in the Calif mountains. It has been suggested that I add such a trany cooler in my 02 Camry and I discussed it with a mechanic today. He asked what my teardrop weighs and I told him loaded it would tip the scales at less than 600 lbs.

His thoughts were that this added weight would be about the same as bringing three, 200 lb passengers along for the ride. This shouldn't cause any undue strain on the trans, and I wonder if there are any other thoughts about this subject out there in the 7000 plus, forum camping trailer world. Thanks in advance, I just don't want any mechanical problems during my upcoming mid-west trek in a couple of weeks.
Roly.........Wisconsin, here I come!

[madjack]

...it's just not the same(unless I am wrong) but 600#s worth of weight in the car is static...just sitting there, along for the ride...the 600#'s out back would be dynamic, constantly bouncing/jostling around and ALWAYS wanting to stop with the car having to constanly counter this via the TRANSMISSION...

...the number one killer of automatic transmissions(fluid) is HEATand transmissions under a load produce lotssa HEAT...imjusayin...ya know!!!!!!!!!
madjack

[Cutterpup]

Rolly

His thoughts were that this added weight would be about the same as bringing three, 200 lb passengers along for the ride. This shouldn't cause any undue strain on the trans

What the mechanic did not consider is the wind drag from the trailer. No matter how well areodynamically you built the trailer it will add some drag. That drag is easily overcome by just a few more rpms from the engine but it still there adding heat to the transmission. So if I was you I would add a tranny cooler just for piece of mind.

Of course not being me I don't know which piece of the mind!
Dan

[Senior Ninja]

Could I add another thought to the mix?
I do a "pan-off" change of tranny fluid too.
Just to err on the side of caution.
Steve

[Steve_Cox]

Roly,

If my source is correct, your 02 Camry has a transmission fluid cooler built into the radiator. It has two functions, one of course is to cool the fluid, the other is to keep it at the required temperature in colder climates. Fluid condition seems to the big issue. I'd just change it before the trip and check at intervals along the way. The 02 Camry, (again if my source is correct) has a transmission drain plug on the pan, it is easy to dump the pan and replace the amount that comes out with fresh. I know that won't empty the torque converter, but as a preventive measure it might give you some peace of mind. When towing with our Honda I check fluid levels more often and take time to smell the transmission fluid. Have a great trip north.

[del]

...it's just not the same(unless I am wrong) but 600#s worth of weight in the car is static...just sitting there, along for the ride...the 600#'s out back would be dynamic, constantly bouncing/jostling around and ALWAYS wanting to stop with the car having to constanly counter this via the TRANSMISSION...

...the number one killer of automatic transmissions(fluid) is HEATand transmissions under a load produce lotssa HEAT...imjusayin...ya know!!!!!!!!!
madjack

And the three 200 pound guys do not add a lot to wind resistance, the trailer does. I say get the cooler.

my 2c del

[looped]

My 01 camry (v6) has a section of the radiator being used to cool the tranny fluid. yes the stock radiator has 4 hoses going into it.

with the 4 banger in there i would very much reccomend getting a tranny cooler, appearantly they are quite easy to install as well, when i went to uhaul to get my hitch installed they were wanting to put a tranny cooler in there as well. if i remember it was something like 35 for the cooler and parts and 20 for the install. they mentioned that installation was very easy since the tranny already has taps waiting to be put to use for it. basically an install while i wait thing. at that time i declined as i was thinking i wouldnt need it just for the bike rack i was buying at the time.


Note about camrys and the engines. my mother has a 00 camry with a 4 banger in there and my 01 with a v6 gets better mileage than hers. these are both the same generation of camry. mine at fill up with in town driving comes in at average 22-26mpg travelling it jumps to ~35mpg hers gets avg 19-20 and travelling 24-27

my own observation is that the 4 cyl engine is just slightly underpowered for the car. hers works alot harder than i think it should to get and keep going.

i got mine in 02/03 with 20k miles on it when she had 42kmiles on hers. now mine has 119kmiles and hers is sitting at 68kmiles I love this car!


Note, turning off o/d thumb button on shifter, helps alot with tranny temps. i turn mine off for hills and acceleration and put it on for flatland when towing.

[Shadow Catcher]

One of the first things I do when I buy a used car is have all of the oil changed including brake and power steering fluid and I use synthetics (Amsoil). This includes having the troq converter flushed.
In cold weather this is worth a couple of mpg and at -20 or so can be the difference in getting started or not.
I remember reading some of the trade journals when I worked at North Star Steel concerning the use of synthetics in industrial applications i.e. rotary compressors, and that was 20 year ago.
When we bought the Mega-Mini I had the largest transmission cooler that I could cram under the hood and transmission flushed, 10qts in the Subaru H6 transmission.
Trans cooler, just makes sense, it is inexpensive insurance.

[Arne]

A typical car engine coolant is about 220 degrees, which is why you can not take the radiator cap off.. it is under pressure to keep the coolant from boiling.

So, the trans fluid going through the radiator can not be cooled below 220 degrees. And since it passes through quickly, it will not be cooled to that temp.

Even small hills cause a rise in trans fluid temps...... have a look at this chart and I think it will become clear that even stock vehicles would benefit from a legitimate after market cooler... and frequent fluid changes.. and an in line filter... I have the biggest cooler that would fit on my mini van and an in line filter.

For me, adding an after market cooler is a no brainer.

http://www.txchange.com/heatchrt.htm

[teardrop_focus]

His thoughts were that this added weight would be about the same as bringing three, 200 lb passengers along for the ride. This shouldn't cause any undue strain on the trans,

Your mechanic is a knowledgeable and reasonble man.

Your Camry has a "lockup" torque converter where at cruise the PCM (powertrain control module) engages a clutch inside the converter, eliminating converter 'slip' and dramatically reducing transmission fluid heat.

On the other hand, when pulling grades and when in 1st and 2nd gears the converter doesn't lock so if you plan to be meandering up and down the Rocky Mountains much, an additional transmission fluid cooler couldn't hurt. Your woody tear is extremely light!

When I inquired years ago about trans fluid heat, coolers and cold weather, I was told the transmission fluid can never be too cool under normal operating conditions in milder climates.

You've pulled that fine piece of craftsmanship now how many miles? If push came to shove and you had to split in a hurry I think your car would be fine for your cross-country trip. If on the other hand you want to spend another 100 to 200 dollars (incl labor) and have the time, then throw a trans cooler onto the front of your car somewhere... your mechanic should be able to locate a good postion for one...

I'm sure you've already had the fluids and filters swapped out on your Camry in preparation for your trip.

Have a great time, Roly!

[looped]

His thoughts were that this added weight would be about the same as bringing three, 200 lb passengers along for the ride. This shouldn't cause any undue strain on the trans,

Your mechanic is a knowledgeable and reasonble man.

Your Camry has a "lockup" torque converter where at cruise the PCM (powertrain control module) engages a clutch inside the converter, eliminating converter 'slip' and dramatically reducing transmission fluid heat.

On the other hand, when pulling grades and when in 1st and 2nd gears the converter doesn't lock so if you plan to be meandering up and down the Rocky Mountains much, an additional transmission fluid cooler couldn't hurt. Your woody tear is extremely light!

When I inquired years ago about trans fluid heat, coolers and cold weather, I was told the transmission fluid can never be too cool under normal operating conditions in milder climates.

You've pulled that fine piece of craftsmanship now how many miles? If push came to shove and you had to split in a hurry I think your car would be fine for your cross-country trip. If on the other hand you want to spend another 100 to 200 dollars (incl labor) and have the time, then throw a trans cooler onto the front of your car somewhere... your mechanic should be able to locate a good postion for one...

I'm sure you've already had the fluids and filters swapped out on your Camry in preparation for your trip.

Have a great time, Roly!

Ahhh i learn something new every day i get on here, i love this place!


thanks for that info. if you know a lot about the struts for these things could you shoot me a pm. 30kmiles ago i replaced all 4 (oem) and the rear ones seem soft. thinking of replacing the rears with sensatracks but wonder if it would upset the balance of the car for regular driving. the front oem units are still tight.

[caseydog]

The first thing that entered my head was that old TV commercial -- for oil filters, I think -- where the mechanic says, "You can pay me now, or you can pay me later."

IIRC, a transmission cooler does not cost very much. However, a transmission rebuild costs a whole lot.

My car came from the factory with a transmission cooler. Otherwise, I would have added one, even though my TD is lightweight. It's cheap insurance, IMHO.

Or, to use another old saying, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

CD

[oklahomajewel]

I really don't know anything about cars and engines, but 3 yrs ago when first on the forum , a Honda district service manager was on here and gave the suggestion to me to spend $200 for a tranny cooler, rather than 10 times that much on a transmission replacement later.

I got it.... mine is a 4 cyl, 4 door 2001 Honda Accord. I 've towed my Jewel Box (maybe 900 lbs loaded at the most?) for at least 6 times a years for 3 yrs.... and no problems. I have to down shift lots of times for major hills, and steep grades and we usually have 2 months of 100* temps here.

My car now has 177,200 miles and doing good. Of course it's a Honda!

So I guess getting the trans cooler worked ! haha

[teardrop_focus]

looped

30kmiles ago i replaced all 4 (oem) and the rear ones seem soft. thinking of replacing the rears with sensatracks but wonder if it would upset the balance of the car for regular driving.

I don't know much about Camrys in particular, but generally speaking when it comes to stock suspension damping what you're wondering about should improve the balance of your car for regular driving.



(Shoot me a PM after you get them installed and have driven the car for a week or two...)


Sorry for the threadjack, Roly...

[caseydog]

His thoughts were that this added weight would be about the same as bringing three, 200 lb passengers along for the ride. This shouldn't cause any undue strain on the trans,

Your mechanic is a knowledgeable and reasonble man.

Your Camry has a "lockup" torque converter where at cruise the PCM (powertrain control module) engages a clutch inside the converter, eliminating converter 'slip' and dramatically reducing transmission fluid heat.

On the other hand, when pulling grades and when in 1st and 2nd gears the converter doesn't lock so if you plan to be meandering up and down the Rocky Mountains much, an additional transmission fluid cooler couldn't hurt. Your woody tear is extremely light!

When I inquired years ago about trans fluid heat, coolers and cold weather, I was told the transmission fluid can never be too cool under normal operating conditions in milder climates.

You've pulled that fine piece of craftsmanship now how many miles? If push came to shove and you had to split in a hurry I think your car would be fine for your cross-country trip. If on the other hand you want to spend another 100 to 200 dollars (incl labor) and have the time, then throw a trans cooler onto the front of your car somewhere... your mechanic should be able to locate a good postion for one...

I'm sure you've already had the fluids and filters swapped out on your Camry in preparation for your trip.

Have a great time, Roly!

Ahhh i learn something new every day i get on here, i love this place!


thanks for that info. if you know a lot about the struts for these things could you shoot me a pm. 30kmiles ago i replaced all 4 (oem) and the rear ones seem soft. thinking of replacing the rears with sensatracks but wonder if it would upset the balance of the car for regular driving. the front oem units are still tight.

Worn shocks or struts are not just "soft." That could be just a matter of your getting accustomed to them. When shocks are really worn, you will experience things like wheel hop over bumpy roads.

When you get to the point of buying your third set of struts, your car may not be worth premium struts.

And, I also apologize for contributing to the threadjack.

CD