AWD 9 speed ATF coolers not available

8118 Views 79 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Rusty Compass, Jul 17, 2021

Al Holliday

Discussion Starter · May 5, 2021

Traded our 2016 CRV Touring for a 2018 Pilot Touring AWD so we could go camping again. Sales, ads, owner's manual state 3500 lb max towing wt unless you have AWD and Honda ATF cooler. Dealer confirmed we need the ATF cooler. But Out of Stock, no date of availability. Tried 2 more dealers - same story. We had eye on a 3500 dry wt camper and planned to limit it to 4000lb (5000lb - 20%). But no AFT coolers! After lots of research, we finally decided on a Flagstaff E-pro (2500 lb dry wt). We plan to limit it to 2800lb (3500 - 20%). We have 30k miles left on MFR drivetrain warranty, so we should be good. Pick up camper tomorrow. But....

Why can't Honda source these ATF coolers? I would like to add one as extra margin of safety and protect transmission.

Installed ScanGuage II to monitor transmission fluid temperature. Its running up to 150 F on grade (no trailer). How high should I allow the temp to go?

Does Honda have a 9 speed transmission warranty problem? I see lots of transmission issues on line, usually pervious generation.

41 - 60 of 80 Posts

Slvr7

· #41 · May 11, 2021

Al Holliday said:
FYI - e trailer does have an ATF cooler made by DERALE that the MFR says is compatible with the 2018 Pilot 9 speed transmission. Check the link https://www.etrailer.com/question-289171.htm

Technically any trans cooler is compatible. You could use this one, but you will need all the correct fittings to make it work. Good luck finding the correct fittings/pipes to get it done.

Slvr7

· #42 · May 11, 2021

Al Holliday said:
Dealer told me - can't remember which one - they only install parts they get from Honda.

Sadly this is mainly caused by the flood of counterfeit parts out there. There are a lot of parts available that are supposedly genuine Honda, in a Honda bag in a Honda box, but not actually Honda. If that part fails, most customers expect Honda/Dealer to stand behind it because they think it was a genuine Honda part, but it wasn't. Creates customer service nightmares, and in some cases, possibly legal responsibility issues for the dealer.

PLT383

· #43 · May 11, 2021

Gotta get a little creative when adding a BATC to the 9 speed tranny. I would think cutting the rubber tube section of ATF Hose A and ATF Hose B and simply clamping in two straight 3/8" hose barb fittings would allow for the installation of an aftermarket BATC with hose barb nipples. A little more creativity will be required to hang/mount the BATC itself.

https://www.collegehillshonda.com/instructions/pilot/2018/5ezcooler.pdf

https://www.bennys.bz/images/uploads/Brass-Hose-Barb-Coupling.gif

Reactions: 1

Slvr7

· #44 · May 11, 2021

In stock form there are no rubber hoses in the atf cooler circuits. Only two stainless pipes with a multi o ring fittings, retained by a bolt in finger. Atf hoses are added as part of the kit.

zroger73

· #45 · May 11, 2021

Slvr7 said:
In stock form there are no rubber hoses in the atf cooler circuits. Only two stainless pipes with a multi o ring fittings, retained by a bolt in finger. Atf hoses are added as part of the kit.

AWD Ridgelines come with a cooler that uses rubber hoses.

See less See more

2

Reactions: 1

PLT383

· #46 · May 11, 2021

Yep, in the diagram it appears there are sections of rubber hose in ATF Hoses A&B......not the case in the ATF Pipes A&B.

Nail Grease

· #47 · May 11, 2021

PLT383 said:
Gotta get a little creative when adding a BATC to the 9 speed tranny. I would think cutting the rubber tube section of ATF Hose A and ATF Hose B and simply clamping in two straight 3/8" hose barb fittings would allow for the installation of an aftermarket BATC with hose barb nipples. A little more creativity will be required to hang/mount the BATC itself.

https://www.collegehillshonda.com/instructions/pilot/2018/5ezcooler.pdf

https://www.bennys.bz/images/uploads/Brass-Hose-Barb-Coupling.gif

This is the best solution.
Just cut the hoses.

Hose barb ^
This gives new meaning to Barbarism. smik

See less See more

2

Rocky

· #48 · May 11, 2021

Lack of supply is not a new thing.... 9 speed transmission cooler - aftermarket options? Someone at Honda or their supplier has had plenty of time to get things going.....

Aftermarket is just fine. I'd like to see Honda just try to reject a transmission warranty claim due to aftermarket cooler..

zroger73

· #49 · May 11, 2021

The only "catch" I can think of when adding any ATF cooler (even the Honda accessory cooler) is making sure to adjust the ATF level to account for the additional volume of the cooler and lines. If the 9-speed proves to be as sensitive to the fluid level as suggested by the service information, failing to adjust it could lead to damage that is not covered under warranty.

Example: Customer adds ATF cooler, but fails to adjust fluid level or lacks the required equipment and knowledge resulting in too much (or too little) fluid that causes damage to the transmission. Dealer notices an aftermarket or Honda accessory ATF cooler installed and finds incorrect fluid level with no signs of leaks. Honda denies warranty coverage by claiming that incorrect fluid level caused damage.

In reality, a few ounces off either way on ATF is probably inconsequential, but I wouldn't be willing to guarantee it.

See less See more

Reactions: 1

Daltongang

· #50 · May 11, 2021

Nothing to it...

See less See more

Slvr7

· #51 · May 11, 2021

zroger73 said:
AWD Ridgelines come with a cooler that uses rubber hoses.

Yes Ridglines come with the accessory cooler as standard equipment. The op has a pilot, and was asking about a Pilot. On a PILOT there are no rubber lines, the rubber lines are added and come with the accessory cooler.

PLT383

· #52 · May 11, 2021 (Edited)

I can't confirm there are rubber hose sections but it looks that way and if so, you only have to cut the rubber portion of ATF Hoses A & B (not Pipes A & B) and insert/splice in the hose barb fitting. The link says 2018 Pilot 9 speed. The later part of ATF Hoses A & B would not be used (discarded). The rubber hose that comes with the aftermarket cooler would be used in place of the discarded hoses in the Honda kit.

www.collegehillshonda.com

ATF Cooler Kit (9-Speed AWD)

Check out the deal on ATF Cooler Kit (9-Speed AWD) at College Hills Honda

www.collegehillshonda.com

Al Holliday

Discussion Starter · #53 · May 12, 2021

Yesterday received AFT cooler purchased from BKHonda.
Box says Genuine Honda Parts.
It's labeled
T.RAD North America 25500-5NC-0130
Product No: ACK5-00407
T.RAD No. C722-158-0002
Made in USA.

Is this a Genuine Honda Part?

It only contains the cooler - no fittings or pipes.

Also my previous conversations with dealers I believe I was told that the ATF kit included everything needed to install it?

So now what?

Are the fittings and pipes available from local auto parts suppliers or just from HONDA?

Do I have a solution or should I return it?

.

See less See more

PLT383

· #54 · May 12, 2021

Al Holliday said:
Yesterday received AFT cooler purchased from BKHonda.
Box says Genuine Honda Parts.
It's labeled
T.RAD North America 25500-5NC-0130
Product No: ACK5-00407
T.RAD No. C722-158-0002
Made in USA.

Is this a Genuine Honda Part?

It only contains the cooler - no fittings or pipes.

Also my previous conversations with dealers I believe I was told that the ATF kit included everything needed to install it?

So now what?

Are the fittings and pipes available from local auto parts suppliers or just from HONDA?

Do I have a solution or should I return it?

.

That does not look like the “kit” part number. See post #43, the 1st link.

zroger73

· #55 · May 12, 2021

25500-5NC-0130 is a replacement cooler, not a kit.

Al Holliday

Discussion Starter · #56 · May 12, 2021

As I suspected! Thanks

PLT383 said:
That does not look like the “kit” part number. See post #43, the 1st link.

PLT383

· #57 · May 12, 2021

While waiting on the exchange, you may want to look into devices that monitor tranny fluid temp......they simply plug-n-play into the OBDII port under the dash.

Al Holliday

Discussion Starter · #58 · May 12, 2021

PLT383 said:
While waiting on the exchange, you may want to look into devices that monitor tranny fluid temp......they simply plug-n-play into the OBDII port under the dash.

I have already installed Scanguage 2 to monitor ATF temp.

Al Holliday

Discussion Starter · #59 · May 12, 2021

zroger73 said:
25500-5NC-0130 is a replacement cooler, not a kit.

Thanks - unfortunately I used a link from this forum. Part was described as "Cooler assembly" - Replacement Cooler would be more accurate.

Al Holliday

Discussion Starter · #60 · May 12, 2021

Al Holliday said:
As I suspected! Thanks

Thanks - great documentation on kit and install.

41 - 60 of 80 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.