I by-passed my in radiator tranny cooler
Moderator: volvite
where will you mount the cooler?jrjohn77 wrote:My 06 is about to turn 80k, so I decided to install an aftermarket transmission cooler and perform the bypass. Houston is simply too hot to perform the bypass alone. After some research, I found the following cooler on etrailer....
http://www.etrailer.com/Transmission-Co ... 2006755950
It appears to work on multiple applications and they provided a couple of great instructional videos. I'll give it a whirl and provide an update.
in front of the existing cooler?
Good Luck!jrjohn77 wrote:I'm not sure yet, but I looked under the hood today and there's plenty of room behind the grill. I'll post pics and a write up once completed. The part shipped out today, so I'm hoping to perform the install this weekend.eieio wrote:where will you mount the cooler?
in front of the existing cooler?
Wish me luck!
Just bought one
I went car shopping yesterday and ended up getting a 2007 Pathfinder 4x2. It was fully loaded 88k miles and a great price! Then I got home and started to read about the transmission issue and wanted to throw up. After losing a lot sleep last night and having to work all day today, I will be doing the mod tomorrow! Checked the radiator and its as neon green as it should be so I think Im still safe. I realize that there is a seperate trans cooler on the radiator. That will be enough for the transmission right? I won't being towing often even though it has the tow package.
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BattleWagon
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Re: Just bought one
I believe the cooler on the radiator is the one that causes issues.JackHerer wrote:I went car shopping yesterday and ended up getting a 2007 Pathfinder 4x2. It was fully loaded 88k miles and a great price! Then I got home and started to read about the transmission issue and wanted to throw up. After losing a lot sleep last night and having to work all day today, I will be doing the mod tomorrow! Checked the radiator and its as neon green as it should be so I think Im still safe. I realize that there is a seperate trans cooler on the radiator. That will be enough for the transmission right? I won't being towing often even though it has the tow package.
Re: Just bought one
JackJackHerer wrote:I went car shopping yesterday and ended up getting a 2007 Pathfinder 4x2. It was fully loaded 88k miles and a great price! Then I got home and started to read about the transmission issue and wanted to throw up. After losing a lot sleep last night and having to work all day today, I will be doing the mod tomorrow! Checked the radiator and its as neon green as it should be so I think Im still safe. I realize that there is a seperate trans cooler on the radiator. That will be enough for the transmission right? I won't being towing often even though it has the tow package.
you should be fine...do the bypass as soon as you can. I live in GA and did the bypass about 4 months ago...92k on my 06 PF..never changed the trans fluid and still shifting good.
Re: Just bought one
important clarification: it is the cooler inside the bottom of the radiator that causes issuesBattleWagon wrote:I believe the cooler on the radiator is the one that causes issues.
So I did the bypass this morning. It was pretty simple once I saw exactly what I was looking at. Found some transmission flush at Napa Auto parts. Gonna flush out the bottom of the radiator so if it fails it won't get mixed with any old tranny fluid. Saw this suggestion somewhere in this thread. A small amount of tranny fluid leaked out of cooler hose and it was deep red so I'm feeling good about my new vehicle again!
I know how you felt. I felt the same way 2 yr ago when I bought mine. Thought I did my research until found this forum and others. What I did was have the radiator replaced by a local shop, just for piece of mind. While others may disagree with me, I feel the extra cooling that the radiator provides is there for a reason… to avoid cooking the fluid which affects the lubricity. Plus I tow sometimes.JackHerer wrote: so I'm feeling good about my new vehicle again!
I also preemptively replaced the spark plugs a little early “thinking” it will help save the cats. Time will tell if that was a good move. Dealer thought I was wasting my money [$300].
Think Nissan is the only problem child out there? Think again. The Xterra boards rant about the same issues we have, but some over there mention the problems Jeep has that are much greater in magnitude. Been looking to replace our 96 Accord. Found a 01 Acura [luxury Honda] which needed a trans & air bag. Try to find one at a junk yard!!! Customer reviews on that model complain that they had as many as 4 trans replaced in 2 yr under warranty. I think the bags are under recall due to its extreme explosive nature. Then I considered a 06 Civic. Customer reviews on that model complain of rear tires wearing out prematurely, 3rd gear of the AT messing up, and sun visors that fall off the glass. Honda has a good PR team to downplay their issues, tho.
So I try to keep my blood pressure under control by realizing that quality today is not put in before the name attached [Play of words from the Zenith TV ads of the 60’s & 70’s] . I had a used 98 Tahoe that cost me about as much in repairs as I paid for it, yet brainwashed to think it was “acceptable”. So, everybody needs to have an AAA card plus some cash handy for those occasions when the vehicle decides to take a dump, and it will, just don’t know when.
Jack..afterwards, you may want to blow some compressed air through the cooler to blow out any remaining flush or ATF left. I did this with about 25lbs.JackHerer wrote:So I did the bypass this morning. It was pretty simple once I saw exactly what I was looking at. Found some transmission flush at Napa Auto parts. Gonna flush out the bottom of the radiator so if it fails it won't get mixed with any old tranny fluid. Saw this suggestion somewhere in this thread. A small amount of tranny fluid leaked out of cooler hose and it was deep red so I'm feeling good about my new vehicle again!
I must be the dumbest person in this board...can someone please post a 1 2 3 etc step by step CORRECT way to do this mod for idiots like me. I have an 07' bought new w 65k no current problems bit want to do this mid. Is rather not have to buy another cooler if necessary and just do the bypass. Please list parts and part numbers if possible, where you bought or recommend buying the parts from. I've tried to read all pages and also the link to the frontier forum with a huge migraine. It seems after reading there is a few different ways and parts people have used which us making this confusing for dumbasses like me
MCmc01ta wrote:I must be the dumbest person in this board...can someone please post a 1 2 3 etc step by step CORRECT way to do this mod for idiots like me. I have an 07' bought new w 65k no current problems bit want to do this mid. Is rather not have to buy another cooler if necessary and just do the bypass. Please list parts and part numbers if possible, where you bought or recommend buying the parts from. I've tried to read all pages and also the link to the frontier forum with a huge migraine. It seems after reading there is a few different ways and parts people have used which us making this confusing for dumbasses like me
you may get several answers..but here is how I did mine:
Parts used: 3/8" double barbed brass connector 2- 5/16" black vaccuum caps. 4- hose clamps
you have two hoses going into the bottom of the radiator, held on by a spring clamp. I happened to have 2 pair of hose clamp pliers...so I clamped both of these hoses shut. I then pulled the off off of the radiator and quickly slipped on the 5/16" vaccuum cap and tightened with hose clamp..then I did the other side the same way. Now, join the 2 hose ends together with the barbed connector and secure with hose clamps.
I then took off one of the vaccuum caps from the radiator and let any remaining ATF come out. Even used some compressed air to be sure and seal it back up. $5 or so in parts. Ziptie the connected hoses up so there isnt any kinks. Run engine to operating temp and check ATF fluid properly for correct amount and look for any leaks.
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