Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) transmission cooler line install

[DEickhoff]

Ok guys, I need some assistance here. I am getting the 95 transmission cooler line with a port so I can install my transmission temp probe. My question is where is this line on my truck and how do I find it? I crawl under my truck and I am sorry to say it all looks the same. Think of my delima as needing a "Your undercarriage 101 for Dummies" book. . I am eager to learn but have no one here to ask.



Thanks in advance.



Dawnaedited for spelling

 

[TnLRacing]

The line in question is the front cooler line, the one closest to the bell-housing on the Drivers side. the line crosses over the bottom of the bell-housing, and then turn upward to the heat exchanger on the passenger side of the truck. . hope this helps.

 

[mediccummin]

Don't forget to remove the check valve on the heat exchanger, your new line should have one built into the end near the rubber hose. Hopes this help also.....

 

[rweis]

I took both of my check valves out. You have to wait about 40 seconds on engine start to be sure the lines are fully presurized, but zero chance of the check valve screwing up. Better flow too I feel, ie no restriction.



Sometimes getting the line off at the water heat exchanger is a challange. Also you will get a transmission fluid dump in your face if not carefull. About a pint, so protect your face and be ready for it.



Bob Weis

 

[TnLRacing]

Sorry bout that forgot about the Check valve, I removed the one that came with the new line.

 

[DOUGMartin]

DEickhoff where did you get the line from i saw on the other thread that you found one for 90 or 95 bucks. I just called the place in ma from the link i posted and the line from them is 75. If you didnt order yet give them a call and save some.

 

[cosborne]

Just having had my first 15k mile "checkup" at ATS in Denver, I had some concerns about transmission temps pulling out of Lake Powell. Last year I had Clint and his team install my cooler line and put my temp sender in the line as well, when they did my transmission upgrade. Well, pulling my boat up the 1/4 mile ramp at Bullfrog, I would see 280+ degrees on my transmission temp gauge... easy. I told Clint my concerns... . he stated that since the temp probe was in the cooler line that this was normal, the fluid is being super heated coming straight out of the torque converter and the temps are just telling me that the transmission is working hard, but NOT to worry... . because the pan temps were going to be much lower, and that if I wanted to keep track of a "meaningful" temps that I should just put a probe in my mag hytec pan.



NOW, before getting the transmission upgraded, there had been numerous opinions about where the probe should go and the census was that the cooler line is the better spot, and now I am hearing that thats really not the case and that the pan is a better spot to know what your transmission is doing... .



I'm soooooo confused

 

[DOUGMartin]

Originally posted by cosborne



I'm soooooo confused

That makes two of us

 

[DEickhoff]

Well guess what that makes 3 of us. So folks which is better for measuring real melt-down transmission temps----the pan or the cooler line? If its the pan why waste the money on the cooler line but if it is the cooler line why waste the money on the pan? All the transmission gurus out there in TDR land what's the true story?



Dawna

 

[csutton7]

I have always heard the cooler line is better--it gives a truer indication of what is happening--how long is this hill and how long does your temp stay up there--what does it go down to once you've pulled the hill??---chris

 

[GCrowell]

This is real important to me as I am about to order and install a gauge set including transmission temp.



George

 

[DOUGMartin]

Too late for me i orderd my line this am

 

[cosborne]

The ramp at Bullfrog marina is better than a quarter mile long and about a 9-10% grade. My boat is 6000lbs. It will peg my temp guage about 1/2 way up. This is if I leave it in drive all the way up. Two weeks ago I pulled the hill with the selector in "1" and the temps seemed to only get to around 240 or so... again this is in the cooler line.



A part of the highway coming away from Lake Powell is a 1 mile stretch at 8%... . this is what caused me to go back and ask Clint whats going on. During the same trip I actually pulled over and turned the truck off because I was going about 10 mph and the transmission temp guage was pegged again... . after about 10 min. , I put it in "1" and pulled the rest of the hill..... I also had my slide in on the truck as well..... but Clint said "no worries" because this is a "super heated fluid out of the converter and it just means your transmission is working..... what you need to do is move your sender to the pan"



By the way I paid $97 for the line at our local dealer... . but maybe I shouldn't have???

 

[rweis]

Well, what I would do is go to the ATS AND DTT website and ask that question.



Not a transmission guru, but as I understand it:



You want to measure the hottest place which is the hot line. You do not want to burn your fluid so it loses its lubricating properties. That is dependent on what you use regular or synthetic fluid. I measure both the hot line and the pan. When the hot line climbs to temps like those the pan temps are about 25* behind and rising as well.



I pull a 13k 5er and get high temps when backing due to low air flow over the air cooler. I have my water temps at 180* before I start backing. The hot line goes to as much as 240* for about 30 seconds. I am going to put an aux cooler (Tru Cool H7B) and an aux fan to keep the pan temps from rising when the hot line temps go up so the fluid going into the transmission (from the pan) is always as cool as I can get it.



I think it will also help in stop and go driving with the 5er. Thanks RustyJC (again )



If I had a long steep slow grade like you have I think I would also add a "microjet (landscaping low volume micro sprayer)" to the aux cooler (so you are not putting water mist into the engine compartment) and use water mist to help in the cooling. A couple of gallons of water and a simple 12 volt water pump from Northern supply could lower those temps significantly.



The first place I would go (since I have a DTT) is to DTT and call Bill K and ask him like you did with Clint from ATS. "I" don't feel comfortable with temps in the 240's as a routiene for any period of time, hence the aux cooler and fan. However Clint at ATS said "ok" and you call Bill K and he says the same, then it is YOUR feelings on it. They are the transmission gurus supreme and should know.



Maybe change the fluid more than once a year? or a larger volume of it? Hence the aftermarket pans.



Bob Weis

 

[Johnny5]

What he said & Check valve removal?

I agree with what rweis has posted. I'd rather know how hot the oil right away rather than knowing what the oil is AFTER it has been cooled down. Like he mentioned oil breaks down at a certain temp and the only way to know how close you are is the trans port line.



Altho, if it you want to erase all confusion run both. I have mine set up for both but just haven't bought a trans pan yet.





I do have a question regarding the check valve... When I took the rubber ball out of the trans line a metal cage was left that floats around in the line. That cage looks like a possible obstruction the way it moves around so I took that out to, which was a pin in the butt. I saw no mention to the cage when doing my reasearch on the TDR, are you guys taking that out as well as the rubber ball?



Johnny

 

[DEickhoff]

Thanks guys. I bought a cooler line that I will install and take the temps from there. In the future (after I save up) I will get a new transmission pan and run a gauge there.



Doug, bought the line from Massdiesel should be here by this weekend.



Thanks



Dawna

 

[RSarvie]

Good info, but I'm with the rest of the confused, or maybe undecided I should say now. I just finished doing my pyro and fuel press guages. My trans gauge came with the prob for the pan, but I've been leaning twords the in line deal. I was going to get a Mag Hytec pan as it's an easy replacement and do the prob myself and have the in line done when I upgrade the transmission. Guess I'll keep researching. BTW two transmission gauges??? Where the heck are you guys finding all this room for all these extra gauges??? LOL!!!



BTW what are the temps that conventional and synthetic transmission fluids start to break down???