Trans cooler installed - Honda Pilot

razzergreen · 10-18-2006, 10:03 PM

Ok, I've asked alot of questons so now I am going to try to contribute a little too. I installed the trans cooler tonight and it was rather easy I must say. The hardest part was verifying which hose was supply and return. When my wife got home it was much easier to find out...just a turn of the key...lol

Anyway, I used a standard hayden brand cooler that can be found in almost any autoparts store. Luckily I had one myself, so I didn't have to look very far. Some pics are attached if they came out ok....

razzergreen · 10-18-2006, 10:04 PM

this is where you conect to the factory cooler...

Since I am fairly new here, I want to ask if it's ok to post all the pics that I took. They may come in handy, but I don't want to break any rules, and i don't know how to post them all in one reply....

razzergreen · 10-19-2006, 07:47 AM

I used the standard fitting from the kit, but I cut the nut off so I could have a double ended flared tube...

razzergreen · 10-19-2006, 07:48 AM

Then I routed the new hoses from rear of rad. to front to be sure I had enough hose...

razzergreen · 10-19-2006, 07:49 AM

This is what the connections will look like on the inside....

razzergreen · 10-19-2006, 07:50 AM

Be sure to leave enough slack so that it's not too tight, but also be carefull as too much will allow the hose to rub on the core support...

razzergreen · 10-19-2006, 07:52 AM

To hold the cooler in place just back out the two bolts that hold the a/c condenser in place...I used zip ties only because the kit didn't have regular cooler ties....

razzergreen · 10-19-2006, 07:55 AM

This is the last installed pic. I cut the ties off short so it didn't look to crappy. The job did take longer than I thouhgt, but I had dinner in the middle and ran to walmart to let my wife into her locked van..lol lol.....

Just be careful to make sure you are putting the cooler on the output side of the factory rad. cooler. This will give you the most efficiency.

wwong · 10-19-2006, 08:49 AM

Nice job. How much for all the parts.

jestmaty · 10-19-2006, 09:33 AM

Great photos and narrative

Brings up a question, does anyone who has the cooler installed (whether aftermarket or OEM) have one of those infrared thermometers? It would be interesting to see if/how much of a temp drop from entry point to exit point on our coolers...

I would guess you only have to put a big box fan in front of the Pilot and turn on the a/c to get the electric fans pulling air too.Take a reading and share on this thread.

I don't have one of these thermometers, but I've seen them in catalogs like JCWhitney, Jegs, etc..

razzergreen · 10-19-2006, 11:32 AM

The cooler was under 50 bucks. However I used valvoline "vv324". It's a maxlife semi-syn product. Valvoline gaurantees compatability. I spoke with the tech/formulation people there, and they told me what I expected. Honda uses a proprietary fluid and says you cant use anything else, but there fluid is the same formulation. I know some of you guys will say I shouldn't have...we'll see. I added 4 quarts after the cooler install and drain. So I'm guessing I was a little low to start with....

ictvuser · 10-20-2006, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jestmaty
I would guess you only have to put a big box fan in front of the Pilot and turn on the a/c to get the electric fans pulling air too.Take a reading and share on this thread.

You also want to put the tranmission under some heavy load to see how efficient the cooler is.

Sunday Rider · 10-20-2006, 07:39 AM

Hey Razzergreen, very nice job, write up, and pictures. Hope you are right about the fluid. Is the tranny shifting as smooth as before?

Did you wish you removed the bumper, or did you have enough room? I found there was very little room to move in there even with the bumper off.

Thanks for posting.

razzergreen · 10-20-2006, 07:57 AM

Today is friday. I did the install wed night. With the install i did the first drain and fill. Thurs. night i did the second drain and fill. So far all feels the same as before regaurding the fluid. I will do one more tonight, then maybe saturday too. I have gotten 4 quarts out each time though, not 3.2Qt. . Do you think i can do this 3 times rather than 4? I figure after the cooler install, maybe thats why i'm getting more fluid? But the first drain also gave me 4 quarts??...idunno!

Sunday Rider · 10-20-2006, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by razzergreen
Today is friday. I did the install wed night. With the install i did the first drain and fill. Thurs. night i did the second drain and fill. So far all feels the same as before regaurding the fluid. I will do one more tonight, then maybe saturday too. I have gotten 4 quarts out each time though, not 3.2Qt. . Do you think i can do this 3 times rather than 4? I figure after the cooler install, maybe thats why i'm getting more fluid? But the first drain also gave me 4 quarts??...idunno!

I always get 3.8 Litres (same as 4 quarts), which is also more than the book said. This was the same even before I installed the cooler. You will have to do it a 4th time if you are a perfectionist.

I take the slow approach, I change it every other oil change. Who am I to give advice

10-19-2006, 08:49 AM	#9 (permalink)
wwong Super Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,368 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Nice job. How much for all the parts. __________________ Custom Non Slip Foam Pads for the Honda Pilot, Click here to visit my website 2003 Honda Pilot EXL-NAV, Starlight Silver, #86733 "Featured Pilot March 2004" EXTERIOR-Perfect Fit Hood Guard, Lower Trim, Lower Trim Garnish, Bumper Garnish, Fog Lights with Eurodezigns H3 bulbs, Wheel Locks, Fender Flares, Crossbars, Door Mirror Covers, Vent Visors, Running Boards, Rear Splash Guards, Trailer Hitch, Pilot #PM555 Stainless Steel Exhaust Tips, Euro Dezigns H4 replacing Sylvania Silverstars, Tire Minders, EX emblem, Third Brake Light Decal, Michelin CT, Chrome OEM Wheels, Muth Signal Mirrors, Sylvania #885 Back Up Lights INTERIOR-Wooden Shift Lever, Wood Grain Interior Trim, All Weather Mats, Cargo Cover, Cargo Organizer, Cargo Tray, Cargo Liner, Trunk Organizer, Broadway Optics Mirror, Raybrig R130 ELECTRONICS-Networkcar, Power Inverter, Nav DVD upgrade V.2.11C, Rear View Camera CUSTOM ACCESSORIES- Door Edge Guard, Foam Pads for Center Console and 2nd Row Activity Tray, Foam Pads for Doors and 3rd Row Bins and Cupholders, Dead Pedal Cover, Cargo Storage Pad, Padded Glove Box, Sunglass Holder Pad, Pillar Protection Tape, Fog Light Covers, Door Reflectors, Cargo Liner Velcro Replacement Kit, Chrome h-p License Plate Frame, VTM-4 emblem, Chrome Accent for the OEM Lower Trim, Chrome Accent for the OEM Running Boards, Chrome Grille Accent, Navi Screen Protector, Non-Slip Pad for the OEM Cargo Tray, hp.org sticker and tee

10-19-2006, 09:33 AM	#10 (permalink)
jestmaty Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Katy, Tx Posts: 1,263 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Great photos and narrative Brings up a question, does anyone who has the cooler installed (whether aftermarket or OEM) have one of those infrared thermometers? It would be interesting to see if/how much of a temp drop from entry point to exit point on our coolers... I would guess you only have to put a big box fan in front of the Pilot and turn on the a/c to get the electric fans pulling air too.Take a reading and share on this thread. I don't have one of these thermometers, but I've seen them in catalogs like JCWhitney, Jegs, etc.. __________________ 2004 EXL-RES Sage Brush Pearl 2005 Bayliner 175XT Bowrider OEM Tow Package, side steps, Front window tint, interior wood trim, ss exhaust tips, Castrol full synthetic oil, 7 yr/100k extended warranty, crossbars

10-20-2006, 07:39 AM	#13 (permalink)
Sunday Rider Super Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Aurora, Ontario Posts: 2,074 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Hey Razzergreen, very nice job, write up, and pictures. Hope you are right about the fluid. Is the tranny shifting as smooth as before? Did you wish you removed the bumper, or did you have enough room? I found there was very little room to move in there even with the bumper off. Thanks for posting. __________________ Sunday Rider '03 EX-L, Nighthawk Black Pearl, OEM Black Gone but not forgotten March 2011 Honda ST1100 '97 Honda CB900C '82 sold Honda CM400E '80

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10-19-2006, 11:32 AM	#11 (permalink)
razzergreen Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 51 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The cooler was under 50 bucks. However I used valvoline "vv324". It's a maxlife semi-syn product. Valvoline gaurantees compatability. I spoke with the tech/formulation people there, and they told me what I expected. Honda uses a proprietary fluid and says you cant use anything else, but there fluid is the same formulation. I know some of you guys will say I shouldn't have...we'll see. I added 4 quarts after the cooler install and drain. So I'm guessing I was a little low to start with....

10-20-2006, 07:57 AM	#14 (permalink)
razzergreen Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 51 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Today is friday. I did the install wed night. With the install i did the first drain and fill. Thurs. night i did the second drain and fill. So far all feels the same as before regaurding the fluid. I will do one more tonight, then maybe saturday too. I have gotten 4 quarts out each time though, not 3.2Qt. . Do you think i can do this 3 times rather than 4? I figure after the cooler install, maybe thats why i'm getting more fluid? But the first drain also gave me 4 quarts??...idunno!

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