Does anyone have instructions for removing the transmission oil cooler, I have a leak on mine. I have read the bumper has to come off but wondered if it was possible doing it without? Thanks for any help.

 

topanga, removing the tranny oil cooler shouldn't be all that hard, but I will tell you from personal experience of trying to play around in that area with the bumper cover on, save yourself the heartache and just remove the cover. For the additional 20 minutes it takes to pull the cover off, it will save you that much time if not more with this job.

I would also recommend installing a new tranny oil cooler. I say this for 1 very simple rule: every 10F rise in the tranny operating temp shortens the life of the tranny by half. This all assumes that the tranny temp stays under 190F. But, starting at 190F, that 10F rise/half the life rule starts into play. So, if you keep the tranny at say 210F, the lifespan is going to be 1/4 of what it would be if you had kept it under 190F (1/2 x 1/2 due to two 10F rises above 190F).

Unfortunately, the reverse is not true in keeping the tranny really cool and extending the life. So, the replacement cooler should have atleast the same cooling surface if not slightly more.

 

Thanks for the reply Thermo, I am having some trouble with bolts that hold the undertray on, one is rounding off and another is just spinning, any tips for that?

 

topanga, the best advice I can give you is to take a grinder to the bolt heads so you can get the tray off. Then you can remove the old clips at that point and install some new clips to get all the fasteners back into place. You will also need some new bolts, but then, you can use any bolt that will work with the clips.

 

Thanks Thermo, I have just drilled the bolt heads off, only took a couple of minutes. Anyway, the tray is off and I can see the part which is leaking but I'm not sure exactly what it is. The two pipes seem to go into a black plastic block at the side of the cooler and it's that or the top pipe itself which is leaking. The cooler looks in good conditon, nice and clean with no rust. Is that part available separately or do I have buy a new cooler?

 

Topanga, I would have to look at my car and see exactly what you are looking at. The best advice at the moment that I can give to you is to give the local dealership a call and explain to them that you are after the plastic block on the side and see what they say. If you can get just that block, then they will offer it. But, don't be surprised if they tell you it is part of a larger assembly and you have to get the whole assembly.

 

Well looking at photos of them on the net I think it is part of the full assembly. I just need to make sure that it isn't the pipe leaking though but it's hard to see, I will try and drop the cooler down to check it out. Thanks for all your help Thermo, really appreciated.

 

Thermo, one more question please. I have a new cooler on order, supposed to come tomorrow or Friday. I notice the two hose connections have quick release connectors and there seems to be a special tool to release them. Can they be released easily without the tool? Thanks again.

 

Topanga, no, these clips need the special tool to remove the connections. Go to your auto parts store and you are going to need a special tool. It is rather pricy. It is a whole whopping $7 or so. Did I scare you? Ford uses a special tool for these connections. Most places call it a Fuel Filter Connector wrench. Just explain to them what you are doing and they will have the one for you. It will pretty much look like an X with half moons on each end of the X. You slide the half moons around the pipe, slide it up to the connector, push in the pipe a little bit, push in the wrench, open the wrench just a little bit and then pull out the pipe. That is it. I have heard of people using screw drivers to do the same thing. Just get the tool. For the cussing and whatnot that they did, buying the tool will be well worth the money.

 

Wonderful info, thanks very much Thermo.

 

Hay Thermo Im also changing the trans cooler on my x type. The thing is I got a used one from the junk yard and is still has some old oil in it. My question is when I remove and install a used trans cooler what should my steps be? Is my transmission oil going to be low due to the fact that oil stays in the old trans cooler? Also should I drain out the old oil from the used trans cooler and what would be the best way to flush out the replacement cooler? Thanks in advance looking forward to hearing from you soon.