Transmission oil cooler

[RVTRKN]

Bob4X4, or any one else know, if you can install an auto oil transmission cooler, in front of the Radiator on an auto equipped 6.7/5.9 CTD, to a 6.7/5.9 CTD equipped with a G56, will it bolt in place and fit as OEM? I'll fit up the lines as needed to make it work to the G56, I think my biggest problem would be when its not running, it will allow the oil to drain back to a level condition which would be higher than the trans. I have thought about installing a oneway check valve on the outlet line while installing a valve operated by a solenoid when the pump energizes. My theory is to keep the trans under 200* when above ambient temperatures of 90*. I have seen my G56 as high as 230* while towing my boat, I haven't towed the 5ver with it yet, but I can imagine that it will be a lot higher.

 

[rscurtis]

What were you planning to use for an oil pump?

 

[RVTRKN]

I've been looking into the possibility of running an oil cooler and pump, and TDR member Schmalda installed a very nice setup on his truck, and he used a Tilton pump. I plan on most of what he did except the Oil cooler seems a bit small so I started looking into installing a larger cooler when I realized the stock automatic oil cooler could possibly fit up to my manual trans radiator. My radiator has the tabs needed to slip in and bolt up the auto cooler without any modification or extra brackets. As mentioned, I'm worried about it sitting higher than the transmission and I believe I need to install check valves and a solenoid to prevent the oil from flowing back to the trans overfilling it.

Here's a link https://plus.google.com/photos/117446477756869530354/albums/5971217217154391937?partnerid=gplp0

 

[RVTRKN]

I have researched and improved on Schmalda's setup, and when I've completed it, I'll post pictures and part numbers. But I have a few questions for the members here who work on them on a Daily basis. There are supposed to be Quick disconnect fitting's that connect to the two lines coming from the auto transmission cooler lines. I believe they help in the transition from the fittings to the lines attaching to the trans and TC cooler.

1st picture, what is inside the rectangle housing, a check valve?
2nd smaller picture, this is not the part, but is this close to the adaptor between the line and the tube coming from the trans cooler lines?

 

[Bob4x4]

Thermostatic bypass and a newer style quick disconnect fitting

 

[RVTRKN]

As you see the end of the lines from the cooler, and the fitting pictured, is there a quick disconnect fitting between them and the factory lines to the components? If there are what's the part number? Also does the thermostatic bypass work by a path of least restriction that allows the trans to warm up? Also do you know the temperature it closes at forcing the fluid across the heat exchanger?

I want to install a switch to bring on the pump when the trans warms up to over 180* but if it's not needed I may not, and just let the pump run continuos. The pump I'm installing is a continuous duty rated pump.

 

[Dick Langendorff]

I had a 1989 CTD the first year. Automatic. A couple of years after introduction they added an aux. transmission cooler so you could increase your towing pounds. This was a very nice unit that mounted under the bed of the truck. It was thermo controlled and had its own fan when it reached a certain temp. It was either '91 or '92 when this was a option. This might be something to look into instead of stacking in front of the radiator. Just a thought.
Good luck on your project.

 

[RVTRKN]

I have started the cooler with the pump install, picture is without lines installed or electrical. The pump and filter was the hardest, so I finished it first. I used an 18" piece of 6" C-channel and threaded the channel for all mounts, I used existing holes to mount it to the frame. Its protected on the inside of the frame, and the reason for the C-channel is it gives a flat surface for the mount but bridges over the fuel lines running along the frame. The second picture is the C-channel with the Stainless Steel all thread mounted before I tapped and threaded it for the pump and filter mounts.

 

[1coorsman2005]

Hell I'm interested in this for my 5600 conversion. Anything to get more life I am game.

 

[RVTRKN]

I thought about that before I started the project, and knowing it would be easy to connect to the NV5600, when I do the conversion, was a plus. I've had to put it on hold for a couple of weeks, but will complete it by the end of Aug.

 

[Newsa]

RBTRKN,

I have the g56 in my 2013. How are you measuring transmission temps?

If you installed a temp sensor into your g56, where did you mount it and how did you run a wire in there without causing oil leakage.

Or is it wireless?. Did you have to dismantle g56 to mount the temp sensor?

I was thinking of going to a 50 weight or 60 weight oil instead of ATF fluid.
But wondering if ATF is morr resistant to degrading under high temps.

 

[1coorsman2005]

I always ran Lucas 50wt manual trans oil. There proud of it. But shifted good. And its equivalent to what is suppose to be used from Mercedes. Who builds the g56.

 

[1coorsman2005]

Special order at orielys. I have the p/n somewhere

 

[RVTRKN]

http://www.genosgarage.com/TRANS-COOL-G56-TRANSMISSION-05-14/productinfo/TRANSCOOL_2/#.U-9VVGK9KSM

The link is the transcooler from Genos, although you must shave down over half the fins to fit the passenger side, (DPF IS IN THE WAY) they are installed, and the pic is the sensor I installed on both coolers. So I'm seeing temps on both sides and when under stress the drivers side seems to run 5* more in temp.

 

[RVTRKN]

The sensors are installed in each side, and I will be removing the coolers and will tap them for 3/8 NPT where I'm installing the inlet and the outlet for the OEM auto transcooler plumbing.

 

[cerberusiam]

Who builds the g56.

Actually, MB did not and does not build the G56. They just came up with the specs and turned it over to Getrag for engineering and building the original units. The building of the actual trans has been outsorced to a combine in Brazil owned by MB, Getrag, Eaton, and I think one other drive train company. The 50 wt is what MB specs for the trans, DC in its infinite cost cutting wisdom just speced ATF so it could save money in the build and charge for rebuilds when they puked their guts after warranty.

 

[RVTRKN]

Well its all done now, except for the electrical, and might I say WOW what a difference. For the frist test drive, I was climbing Cajon at 85* ambient and the trans was running at 200* and still climbing in temperature after only 20 miles of warmup before the climb. Running the pump for just 1 minute, my temperature droped 10*, then I allowed the temp to climb back up to 200* still climbing the grade and just as I reached the summit I ran the pump again for 1 minute and kept the temp at 195*. This was to allow the Thermostatic bypass in the transcooler to stay open allowing any remaining air traped from the first fill. I used the pump to fill the trans and the pump pushes the oil through the cooler first, then the oil goes to the transmission, but I was afraid that some air was trapped in the cooler due to the bypass. I turned around in Victorville because of the slow climb back to Cajon, that would allow the trans to climb in temperature again, once I crested Cajon I let the trans run at the normal temperature, seeing how its now on the descent, and it maintained 196*. When I reached HWY138 I then allowed the pump to run for slightly more than 3 minutes and the temperature dropped 25* from 195* to 170*.

I'm able to see both sides of the transmission temeratures with sensors in both coolers, and the passenger side runs 5* cooler when pressure is applied to the transmission climbing grades, empty or not. So I plumbed the oil lines to take the oil from the drivers side then return the oil to the passengers side. I saw a 45* delta temperature, meaning the difference between the passenger side (145*) and the driverside (190*) as the drivers side started to drop drastically to 170* from 195*.

I need to pull the 5ver, to know the real abiilty of the transcooler, but after a couple of years of seeing well over 200* on a mild day and 165* when at 40* ambient, the average is to high of a temperature and is why I was so interested in a transmission cooler. I saw 230* pulling my boat on I 10 north bound on the ascent out of Palm Springs at only 85* ambient temperature. I might pull the boat tomorrow for a hundred miles then climb Cajon with the pump running only when climbing Cajon.

I was only going to plug the pump into the cigarette lighter when I wanted to run it for the test, but the pump requires a minimum of 16 AWG stranded wire and a 10 amp fuse, so I wired it with a switch laying loose on the floor, with a 10 Amp fuse at the battery. I'll clean up the wire and install the switch next to the EB button at a latter date

I can say it was worth the money and trouble I went through installing this setup, and highly recommend all G56 equiped truck owners to consider installing a cooler.

 

[RVTRKN]

Forgot this picture as well.

 

[MMeier]

Pull something up here so I can see, should be 105 * again today .

 

[RVTRKN]

If Lake Mead wasn't so low, I'd pull the boat to Vegas. Maybe you can meet me at Lake Mojave in a couple of weeks? The 1st weekend of Oct, I believe I'll be on the "Guy Trip" when a couple of friends and other boats will camp for 4 days on Lake Mojave.