Install transmission cooler and bypass the radiator
09-01-2017, 01:35 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Install transmission cooler and bypass the radiator
Some background on the problem.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...pping-out.html
Well the lock wire worked at preventing another major oil spill but the transmission cooler line kept periodically popping out a mm or two and leaking atf. I tried tightening the lock ring, tying it with wire to keep the clip together, just about everything. Every 500 miles I would get another leak, the last time it squirted a thin stream of ATF right onto the exhaust manifold for some fun smelly smoke effects. The Radiator was newly replaced by the previous owner and made by Behr.
I decided to bypass the radiator completely and install a separate transmission cooler. Initially I bought a hayden 676 (left) but once I had it in my hands I decided I wanted something bigger so I bought a Hayden 679 (right) which is about 1 foot square.
Pull the top radiator support.
The area is tight, very tight but eventually I figured out that the best spot for it was slightly toward the passenger side to clear the hood latch and pipes on the front side of the AC condenser.
I made a small mounting bracket that sits on top of the AC condenser, with foam to separate the AC condenser and trans cooler both top and forward. There is no metal to metal contact anywhere. The stock PS fluid cooler had to be repositioned slightly forward by flipping over its mounting bracket at the U bend, one of of the 2 horns needed to be moved up and the plastic trim at the top of the condenser needed a slight trim.
The hoses from the trans cooler run down below the AC condenser and radiator and connect with the stock cooler hoses through a pair of 3/8" brass barb splicers.
And heres the old transmission cooler connection in the radiator completely bypassed. I'll have to plug it up with something.
Another example of an external transmission cooler.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...r-mounted.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...pping-out.html
Well the lock wire worked at preventing another major oil spill but the transmission cooler line kept periodically popping out a mm or two and leaking atf. I tried tightening the lock ring, tying it with wire to keep the clip together, just about everything. Every 500 miles I would get another leak, the last time it squirted a thin stream of ATF right onto the exhaust manifold for some fun smelly smoke effects. The Radiator was newly replaced by the previous owner and made by Behr.
I decided to bypass the radiator completely and install a separate transmission cooler. Initially I bought a hayden 676 (left) but once I had it in my hands I decided I wanted something bigger so I bought a Hayden 679 (right) which is about 1 foot square.
Pull the top radiator support.
The area is tight, very tight but eventually I figured out that the best spot for it was slightly toward the passenger side to clear the hood latch and pipes on the front side of the AC condenser.
I made a small mounting bracket that sits on top of the AC condenser, with foam to separate the AC condenser and trans cooler both top and forward. There is no metal to metal contact anywhere. The stock PS fluid cooler had to be repositioned slightly forward by flipping over its mounting bracket at the U bend, one of of the 2 horns needed to be moved up and the plastic trim at the top of the condenser needed a slight trim.
The hoses from the trans cooler run down below the AC condenser and radiator and connect with the stock cooler hoses through a pair of 3/8" brass barb splicers.
And heres the old transmission cooler connection in the radiator completely bypassed. I'll have to plug it up with something.
Another example of an external transmission cooler.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...r-mounted.html
Last edited by tjts1; 09-02-2017 at 09:44 AM.
