EventHorizon

So I'm going to be adding a trans cooler to my truck and was wondering what would happen to the fluid level??


Obviously the cooling system will now have more volume so do I need to add some fluid then??


I was thinking that if I had to add some I would just install the cooler and lower line then fill the cooler carefully before adding the top line. Would this work or would it just drain into the transmission and make it too full. If that's the case do I just add about 1/2 a liter then hook the lines up and drive?


Doing some research it looks like there is only 1 capacity listed for a change. Not one for with a cooler and 1 without. So maybe I'm good then?


Thoughts

Martian

Yes. The cooler should tell you how much extra volume it will require.

Feathermerchant

I think filling the cooler after you add it should work fine. There is a dip stick on the 6R80 trans. But you have to know the temperature and it is right next to the exhaust. Are you installing an aftermarket cooler?

EventHorizon

Was thinking the Ford one as my company gets a smokin' discount at the local dealer.


Getting the cooler and the 2 connection lines. Also read that I need a line disconnect tool. Cant find one locally but read that some patience and a small flat screwdriver will work.

chris2013

Trans should be at 185 to 200 degrees to get the correct level

Feathermerchant

So it did not come with one? I thought most did. I have one in the radiator and the external one too.

EventHorizon

No it didn't. Most might come with one, mine didn't.

tanked_darren

The level is checked when running. No sure answer until you do this.

Feathermerchant

So here's the weird thing to me. We now must have the trans temp at so-and-so and running and level to check the fluid. A pint high or low and the world will end for sure. So if I park in my hypothetical highly sloped driveway (up or down) overnight, every night why doesn't my transmission fail in a month? Or year? It's cold when I start it. It should be harmful, right?
The 6R80is also standard on the Mustang which is capable of nearly 1G cornering. If you do the math, that means that the fluid in the trans is at a 45 deg angle inside, right? And that is under load. Not idling in park. In fact the car leans to the outside of the turn making it likely more than 45 deg.
What about our 4X4 trucks towing a trailer, etc up a steep incline, bouncing all around?
It seems like a lot of nonsense to think that the fluid level has to be so precise.

Martian

No... your transmission doesn't move until you put it into gear and it doesn't take much to do that. And even still, a transmission won't be harmed by being cold. It's heat that'll kill it.

It's not at 45deg all the time, and you're only using the fluid when you switch gears anyway. How many times are you shifting when you are also pulling 1g? My guess is not too often.

Again... only matters when shifting. The fluid level is not just for shifting, though. It's also used to shed heat. It doesn't take much fluid to switch a gear. It takes a lot to keep the transmission cool.






(Obviously you also need proper fluid amount for the torque converter to work, but I'm only addressing what you've brought up here.)