The Nissan Path

I finally added a second cooler. It's a B&M Supercooler model number 70268. It's mounted but I haven't connected the lines yet.

I've been wanting to do this for some time now. The transmission fan I added a couple years ago helped a lot but wasn't enough. I got tired of "driving by the transmission temperature gauge." I monitored it closely all of the time while towing, drove in 3rd gear to keep temps under 180, watched my RPMs in 3rd being careful not to drive too fast (high RPMS). I had to run the transmission fan all of the time while towing. All of this made for a stressful tow when taking the boat out in the summer.

I've seen a lot of posts about locations and space to mount a second cooler so I'm posting some pictures. This cooler measures 11 x 7.25 inches. I could have fit a bigger cooler. I have plenty of space in front of the cooler for a fan in the future. I tried to pick a location with the most air flow. This location actually gets more air flow than the stock cooler because it's higher behind the grill.

Nice look job !

I dont tow with my Path, but I would like to add the transmission cooler fan.

is yours something seperate you bought and added? If so, can you give me the info on where to get one? B&N ? was it hard to install?

Thanks

Dawgn86, the fan is easy to install. Four zip ties go through the cooler to hold it in place. The following link has info on where to get it and the specifications.

http://www.thenissanpath.com/viewtopic. ... c&start=15

This is what it looks like with the grill on. You can see it gets more airflow (more exposed) than than the stock cooler because its mounted higher. There is less blockage from the bumper and vertical grill bar.

I will see how the second cooler performs this summer. Then decide if I want to install an 8" fan on it. The cooler is 11" tall. I would install the fan on the bottom 8 inches since some of it is covered by the bumper. I would also install a second switch to operate the fan. That way I have independent control of the two fans.

Ran the oil lines. 5/16" transmission line purchased from Autozone for $1.19 per foot

The hose and clamp at the top is the output of the factory transmission cooler. Its at the bottom of the factory cooler. I ran this to my 2nd cooler.

The hose and clamp at the bottom is the transmission return hardline. Connect the output of your newly installed transmission cooler to this line. It goes back to the tranny and dumps the fluid in the pan.

I re-used the factory clamps.

This factory piece was removed. It was used to connect the factory cooler to the transmission return hardline. Don't need it anymore.

I'm very pleased with the results. I drove approximately 25 miles of highway and city. I immediately noticed A LOT MORE cooling and much lower temperatures on my gauge. It was 68 degrees out. In the past I would see 160 degrees on my gauge for the type of driving I did (50/50 highway and city). Now its 140! I can safely say it dropped my tranny temps 20 degrees.

Great thread on the cooler. How many more qts of ATF did you need with the second cooler?

Less than 1/4 quart

Fossilfuleburner,

Nice write-up! I have been considering installing a transmission temp guage and possibly a second transmission cooler and/or fan based on what transmission temps I am getting. I am leaning towards the Autometer gauge. Have you had any issues with that guage, either with installation or operation? Thanks

Deermjd,
No issues with the Autometer gauge in the 5 years i've had it. I did have to replace the lightbulb for the back light once.

Do you do any towing with your truck? I think the temp gauge is most useful while towing and mountain driving. My transmission temperature can easily get to 210 if I'm not careful with my gear selection while climbing the Sierra Nevada mountains (7000' elevation) on snowboard trips.

I use the temp gauge the most in the summer when I'm towing a 4,500 pound boat in 100 degree weather. I always need to go over two passes that are 1,200' each. Best way to not heat up the transmission fluid is to pull in 3rd.

I'll tow a utlity trailer a couple of times a year and flot tow my jeep (3000 lbs.) on occasion. I bypassed the transmission cooler in the radiator and was just curious to see what temps my transmission are seeing. There aren't any mountains where I live but it does get hot here in the summer.