Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) What is this & do i need to keep it? Coolant Reservoir?

[MMcCallie]

On the passenger side of the engine is a large tank. It has coolant hoses running to & from the tank, front & back. It mounts against the engine, all the way at the back & along the engine mounts. It is very large. I can't find it in the Haynes Manual. Is it a coolant cooler? Can i just loop the coolant hoses & take it off?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[Joe G.]

It sounds like you are describing part of the air conditioning system.



It would be a VERY good idea to throw that useless Haynes manual away. The only useful manual for these trucks is the one from Dodge. You can get one from Geno's Garage. It will pay for itself very quickly.

 

[Mrudolph]

It would help to know what kind of truck this is, and what year.

 

[Howard Durand]

Isn't that the heat exchanger that the transmission fluid passes through?

 

[MMcCallie]

The engine is out of a '94 Dodge truck. Built 12-'93. It has the inline pump. The engine is finding its way into a 2000 Excursion. The only connections this reservoir has are heater hoses. They only lead to & from the coolant system on the passenger side at the front of the block.



I've been told the older engines had an oil cooler there that used engine coolant, but this tank has no other lines. It mounts just beneath the turbo along the side of the engine. The only purpose i can envision is that is designed to keep more coolant in the system. I don't know if the reservoir is supposed to cool the water, or keep it warm by hugging the block.



Anyone think it would not be safe to detach it?



Thanks,

Matt

 

[Cummins Thunder]

Its a heat exchanger.

 

[MMcCallie]

Can i take it off or will it overheat?

 

[Cummins Thunder]

Will it over heat? No.

 

[tlgdiesel]

Its for an automatic transmission. Its basicly a transmission oil cooler.

 

[MMcCallie]

If it is a transmission cooler, why are there not even ports for transmission lines?

 

[Joe G.]

If it's the transmission cooler the ATF lines will be on the bottom of each end of the tank. You have to look from under the truck or find them with your hands. The transmission cooler is under the exhaust manifold.

 

[MMcCallie]

Yep, ya'll were right. I didn't find the connections for the transmission until i was pulling it off. Sure enough, a little bit of red oil. I guess i'll just loop those heater hoses top & bottom on the engine block. I'm still running an auto but i have a giant 32 row cooler in front of the radiator. I've been told those things can leak & turn the engine coolant pink. I don't see any reason to keep it.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[DieselDoghouse]

My 2¢ - as a heat exchanger it moves heat away from the hot circuit (duh!)… Remember that in frigid winter conditions this means moving heat from the warming engine INTO the cold ATF, which will allow the transmission to shift normally sooner. Me, i'd keep!!