Aftermarket ATF cooler installation with pictures

[CountStudley]

I thought I might add instructions for an aftermarket ATF Cooler install with pictures of the finished product.

After reading the posts on www.hondapilot.org, rather than installing the Honda transmission cooler, I purchased a TruCool cooler from Autozone rated for towing up to 10,000 lbs (cost $60). My 2003 pilot is past the warranty period, and the surface area of the aftermarket cooler appears to be greater than that of the Honda part, not to mention significantly cheaper. The greater surface area does not represent a problem with excess cooling decreasing the viscosity of the fluid, the problem is excessive heat which damages the seals in the transmission, hence the need for additional cooling capacity.

I chose not to install the power steering fluid cooler. As the Honda lacks an overdrive lockout, which is a serious flaw in my opinion, comfortably towing requires slower travel speeds to maintain typical engine rpms. As a result, I don’t believe the engine temps are significantly different then typical driving, and the benefits of an augmented power steering cooler seem negligible. I am considering the purchase of an aftermarket fin kit which can be attached to the power steering cooler lines, which appears to be the only difference in the Honda cooler for towing.

Now for the ATF cooler install. I removed the top bulkhead, bottom splashguard, and front bumper according to the Honda instructions for ATF cooler installation. You can find the instructions at https://hondacuraworld.hostasaurus.c...uidcoolers.pdf . It was pretty straight forward, and as I was careful removing the bodywork I did not break any of the snap connectors. It is much easier to install the aftermarket cooler with the bumper removed. Also, while I could get to the radiator, I used a stiff nylon bristle brush to clean the bugs out of the condenser as best as I could.

The TruCool kit comes with through-the-radiator zip connectors. I chose to hardmount the cooler. If you refer to the image, you will see that the aftermarket cooler is just the right size to fit between the stock powersteering cooler and the air conditioner condenser. I used two 3/8” rubber lined clamps, small machine bolts, and locknuts to attach the cooler to the upper power steering cooler line. I mounted the cooler horizontally far enough from the edge of the condenser to prevent the fittings/hose clamps from wearing on the condenser, and vertically where the airflow would be maximized. I loosened the power steering cooler mount on the driver side to make this easier. To prevent rattles and wear from rubbing, I cut down the rubber pads (meant to be used between the aftermarket cooler and the radiator) which came with the aftermarket cooler and placed a piece at each corner of the cooler and between the cooler and the lower power steering cooler line (you can see the pieces in the photo). The mount is solid, and shifts only when the entire condenser moves. Heat transfer between the cooler and the power steering cooler should be very minor as the four contact points are rubber insulated. There is a possibility that heat transfer could actually be reverse with the transmission cooler cooling the power steering (just a guess – as after driving for 30 minutes to test the system, the transmission cooler was cooler to the touch than the power steering cooler, both of which you could comfortably maintain contact with where you can’t do that with the radiator).

The cooler is mounted inline, so the hot fluid leaves the transmission, enters the in-radiator stock cooler, exits to the aftermarket cooler, and then returns to the transmission. I used the high temp hose which came with the kit for the return line. The Honda instructions show using the existing return line from the stock cooler as the in-line for the additional cooler. However, the existing line is about 3 inches to short, so I purchase high temp transmission fluid line from Autozone. One important tip here – It is pretty tight where the transmission return line enters the transmission. If you use the Honda spring clips (which just require a pair of pliers to install) on the ends of the transmission line which enters the transmission instead of hose clamps it is much easier. Use the hose clamps at the cooler.

It took about 4.5 quarts of fluid to refill the transmission once I finished (I chose to change the fluid at the same time, good thing to do and also helped keep everything clean). Once everything was put back together you see the center of the aftermarket cooler through the grill, and unfortunately the bright silver hose clamps (but I’ll live). I’ve attached a picture of the finished view, sorry about the bugs on the grill and bumper. I washed it after the install.

All together, it was a pretty smooth install. I am testing it with a 4 hour camp trailer tow this weekend. Should be just fine. Thanks.

[jestmaty]

Sweet!!!!!

Looks clean and mean.... You are ready to throw just about anything at the tranny now

[andyschneider]

I just wanted to put a note in about the debate about whether you need the PS cooler or not when towing. I installed the factory AT and PS coolers last winter, in anticipation of towing a bit this spring and summer. After using the Pilot both in towing and normal driving, I've observed that the PS cooler tubes actually get HOTTER than the AT cooler tubes. I found this out first when I first installed them, and noticed the difference. Then, after a long tow of a U-Haul trailer, I felt them and found both to be pretty toasty, and that was with highway driving, not using OD.

Bottom line - Honda must have determined that the need for the PS cooler was in there, and the fact I was driving at highway speeds sort of negates the underhood temp debate (it was pretty cool under the hood - no warmer than usual) and shows that putting strain on the drivetrain does something with the PS fluid temps. I'd recommend that even if you go aftermarket AT cooler, don't avoid the PS cooler....

andy

[jezzy]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, I just installed a factory honda pilot hitch and now just purchased an aftermarket ATF and PS coolers from Etrailer.

ATF # D13503 manufuctured by Derale, model # 8000 (class III rated) for 56$
Transmission Coolers by Derale for - D13503

PS cooler # D13212 Derale 4 Pass model for 30$

Derale 4-Pass Tube-Fin Power Steering Cooler - 8-1/8" Wide Derale Power Steering Cooler D13212

Will update on my installation results. Hope it goes smoothly! Anyone else use Derale?

[gred11]

Originally Posted by jezzy

Sorry to dig up an old thread, I just installed a factory honda pilot hitch and now just purchased an aftermarket ATF and PS coolers from Etrailer.

ATF # D13503 manufuctured by Derale, model # 8000 (class III rated) for 56$
Transmission Coolers by Derale for - D13503

PS cooler # D13212 Derale 4 Pass model for 30$

Derale 4-Pass Tube-Fin Power Steering Cooler - 8-1/8" Wide Derale Power Steering Cooler D13212

Will update on my installation results. Hope it goes smoothly! Anyone else use Derale?

I'm excited to hear the results of the installation of the Derale coolers....how did it work out? I'm looking to buy the same ones

[Willard]

Originally Posted by gred11

I'm excited to hear the results of the installation of the Derale coolers....how did it work out? I'm looking to buy the same ones

x2
I am also excited to hear how they worked out. For under $100 it seems like a steal.

[mclairmo]

Be advised that if you mount the tranny cooler in front of the radiator the heat removed from the trans fluid is then passed to the radiator surface, essentially warming up the water in the radiator. On one of my vehicles, I found that while my transmission was nice and cool due to the aftermarket cooler, my engine was runnnig hotter due to the installation of the tranny cooler in front of the radiator. When I moved the trans cooler below the radiator, my engine went back to normal. This is why some trans coolers are sold with an included small electric fan mounted to it already so you can mount it away from the radiator (like on the frame) and still have airflow through the cooler. I also agree that a power steering fluid cooler is essential for towing. Every RV or other tow rig has them. Hell, even some of the really high powered muscle cars in the 60's and 70's had them, like the Boss 302 Mustang, SCJ Mustangs, etc.

[jezzy]

Sorry I didn't get to you yet, I'm still waiting for my parts. I love that the Canadian Postal workers have been on strike for the past month!!

[jezzy]

Originally Posted by mclairmo

Be advised that if you mount the tranny cooler in front of the radiator the heat removed from the trans fluid is then passed to the radiator surface, essentially warming up the water in the radiator. On one of my vehicles, I found that while my transmission was nice and cool due to the aftermarket cooler, my engine was runnnig hotter due to the installation of the tranny cooler in front of the radiator. When I moved the trans cooler below the radiator, my engine went back to normal. This is why some trans coolers are sold with an included small electric fan mounted to it already so you can mount it away from the radiator (like on the frame) and still have airflow through the cooler. I also agree that a power steering fluid cooler is essential for towing. Every RV or other tow rig has them. Hell, even some of the really high powered muscle cars in the 60's and 70's had them, like the Boss 302 Mustang, SCJ Mustangs, etc.

Thanks for the tip.. I'll take the location into consideration.. Even with the slightly (?) higher temps, I'm sure it's still better than towing without a cooler =)

Looking forward to installing that along with the prodigy 2 controller..

[jezzy]

Originally Posted by jezzy

Thanks for the tip.. I'll take the location into consideration.. Even with the slightly (?) higher temps, I'm sure it's still better than towing without a cooler =)

Looking forward to installing that along with the prodigy 2 controller..

Got the parts, finally.. been 6 weeks I've been waiting!

Wish I had better instructions to install both the PS and transmissions coolers, not much information available.. I'm not sure which lines to disconnect for each cooler, etc.. any honda service manuals around showing the in/out PS and transmission lines?

Also, do I need to empty the PS and tranny fluid in order to install this?

any info would be great, I'll gladly take install pics as I do this within the next week.

[rocky]

This will help you

http://www.collegehillshonda.com/ins...lot/psfatf.pdf

[jezzy]

Originally Posted by rocky

This will help you

http://www.collegehillshonda.com/ins...lot/psfatf.pdf

Great idea! thanks!

[HokieBill]

This looks great.

I was really cheap and went to my local pick-your-own junk yard and wandered around until I found two coolers that I could fit in. They are definitely bigger than the Honda parts and it was a fun project to find them and get them mounted.

[hammer56073]

Jezzy, I am really interested to know how it went. I am going to purchase the same coolers, so I would really like to know how long it took and if it was difficult or easy. Also, did it seem like everything fit really well or did you have to do some rearranging?

[jezzy]

Originally Posted by hammer56073

Jezzy, I am really interested to know how it went. I am going to purchase the same coolers, so I would really like to know how long it took and if it was difficult or easy. Also, did it seem like everything fit really well or did you have to do some rearranging?

It works great. I've used them since July to pull my 2000lbs popup camper (with electric brakes..), I also did the DIY 7 pin electric brake controller mod.

The power steering cooler went in fine, I did it myself.. nothing too hard. The tranny one I got a mechanic to install it (50$).. I tried removing the original tranny hydraulic line and wasn't able to.. (I'd have to cut..) since I wasn't balls*y =) enough.. I just got an expert to do it. Not something I want to mess around with.

Both kits are a perfect fit on our cars and work fine. I installed the power steering on the right hand side, behind the opening on the front bumper to get adequate cooling, and tranny cooler left hand side.. lower to the bottom (hoses are a bit short for this..)

Go for it !