Transmission cooler or not Thread

But when the issue isn’t an issue according to Toyota, then you can’t use those visits to qualify for lemon law. They maintain that the truck can handle those higher temps. The warning light coming on is the truck properly functioning to let you know that you need to stop whatever you’re doing that is causing high temps. Unless you can prove that the transmission is getting too hot for no reason, nothing is malfunctioning according to them.

I put a cooler on my ‘21. I wanted it to operate like a pre-2019 truck. I still think removing it was a cost cutting measure. They’re tough trucks, and I don’t see hardly anyone having issues within a standard warranty period. I plan on keeping this truck as long as possible. I commute a lot, but I also offroad a lot and haul a bit, and I wanted the kinds of miles I put on to be with a cooler, especially as they add up quickly. I’m at 31k already.

 

Same, if I planned to only keep it only during its warranty period I wouldn't have bothered adding a cooler. Im sure the transmission will outlast the warranty period with the higher temps without a problem, and Toyota knows that too or else they wouldn't have removed it. The higher temps over a long period of time is what I would assume will causes the transmissions without a cooler to start failing before the ones with a cooler. If you dont plan to add a cooler I'd at least suggest changing the fluid more often. I've done a drain and fill at 15k, 22k, and 33k and the fluid definitely was not still bright red. Before adding my cooler I dropped the pan and changed the filter, that was after recently doing a drain and fill so now my fluid is bright red and I have the cooler so I'll feel more comfortable going longer between drain and fills. This was my atf at 15k on the right.

 

Didn't someone get Blackstone to analyse some transmission fluid that looked and smelled terrible only to find that everything was within spec, or am I misremembering?

 

That was ravenol tcase oil iirc

 

Oh I'm sure that the fluid is still within spec and not suggesting the color means its not good, but that was only at 15k. No way would I trust cooking that oil at 230+ until what like 60k I think is when they suggest a drain and fill.

 

One of the reasons I shied away from buying a 2019 or 2020 GM 1500 was the lack of comprehensive lemon laws in Canada.

 

You don't touch any coolant lines adding a cooler, coolant actually still runs to the transmission in order to warm it up faster. The cooler takes the transmission fluid to a radiator in front if the truck and returns it to the pan cooled. Most of the coolers people are using are using all the OEM parts from 2018 and under trucks except for the radiator so if a tech looked under the truck everything would look like a pre 2019 truck, the kits from here https://genuinecoolingsystems.com/ use OEM Thermostat, hard lines, two of the 4 hoses, basically the only thing not OEM is the radiator itself and the hoses that connect to it from the hard lines. Toyota would have to prove that you adding a cooler caused what ever under warranty failed which lets face it, adding the cooler back to the truck is not going to cause the failure. Waiting until you're out of warranty could already take time off of your transmission and I plan to keep this truck forever and want to do everything possible to make it last.

I didn't, I had planned to but never did.

 

You guys realize that the pre 2018 trucks had an engine coolant transmission cooler?
These only cool the fluid to the coolant temp of right about 200 degrees.
I recently dug out a post from another member(s) who was complaining about high transmission temps on a pre 2018 truck that had the "cooler."
https://www.tundras.com/threads/transmission-temperatures.3236/
I don't believe that the cooler that was on the pre 2018 trucks was actually doing enough to justify the cost??????
I don't believe that the post 2018 trucks are really any different than the pre from a trans temp standpoint.
Now, rumor has it that the 2007 to 2010s had a legit air to oil cooler?

 

You're incorrect. 2018 trucks with a tow package have atf lines running to the upper corner of the AC condenser. All trucks have the coolant puck that is more of a warmer than a cooler.

 

My 2007 has a tow package so it has the air to oil transmission cooler in addition to the engine coolant loop.

 

Yeah my cooler setup includes OEM lines and an OEM transmission thermostat that runs to an external radiator up front. Those OEM parts are found on any Toyota parts website with 2018 parts numbers.

The ‘19-‘21 trucks have a thermostat-shaped block-off plate where the 2018 thermostat used to go. Same exact tranny. Allegedly different shift points, chases lockup better to reduce heat. But it’s literally the same transmission that was originally designed to operate with an external cooler years before.

 

Blackstone reports are "so so" at best. Watched a video on YouTube of 2017 Camry with 170K miles using 3 quarts every 1K miles. Oil changed every 10K miles at dealer with receipts. Blackstone samples are from the oil in pan, you really need to take sample on piston oil ring (have to take engine apart) it was coked up which prevented it to conforming to cylinder wall and scored the cylinder. Same with your transmission take a seal that has been subjected to high temperatures and get it analyzed. Blackstone is false sense of security, may find a problem but doesn't guarantee there isn't one.

 

Yes, they have lines that run to the upper passenger side of the truck. the lines come out in front of the condenser and then enter a second coolant puck that also uses engine coolant to transfer heat out of the ATF.
Nice picture of the set-up here from another member who installed a cooler in addition to the puck because their pre-2018 was running warm as well:
https://www.tundras.com/threads/install-complete-on-additional-transmission-cooler.12385/

 

Theres only one coolant puck and that attaches to either a thermostat or a block off plate depending on if you have a cooler or not. The fluid always flows through the warmer but won't flow into the cooler until the thermostat reaches 180° then when it returns it goes back into the pan not the puck. Because the atf runs to the condenser already it's easy to add an additional cooler to a 2018 or under, https://genuinecoolingsystems.com/ sells those as well. Your previous post said that the 2018 trucks only had a coolant cooler which is not true, they also had an air cooler, they just used the condenser as it's radiator rather than a dedicated one like the first gen. The coolers you add on are actually more effective than using the condenser which is why some people add a second cooler. The atf running to the condenser did a better job than just the coolant puck alone. Trust me I tried to convince myself that I didn't need a cooler as well but after constantly monitoring my temps I bit the bullet and installed one.

 

OK, that is the oddest thing I have seen in a long time. Why use the AC condenser?
My 2015 looked a lot like another puck style. Looking closer now, I see that I am wrong....
I guess my point is that the pre 2018s did not run all that cold either.

 

I think that if someone needs to get a cooler based on thread comments, go for it if it makes you happy. Unless one has a specific trans temperature gauge they would never know of anything stated in the threads and would go on perfectly happy. Its all about choice, same as changing oil before 10K!

 

Some people care more about their vehicles than others is all. The Tundra used to have a trans temp gauge on the dash cluster, but they removed. An uneducated consumer is easier to please.

The 10,000 mile thing, no one reads the fine print. Right on Toyotas website.
https://support.toyota.com/s/article/What-are-the-oil-chan-7604?language=en_US

Very informative video on it as well.
https://youtu.be/TJhFAwFv-O0

 

As far as oil change intervals going back as far as I can recall there were exceptions to the rule. As far as the U tube video its a U tube video. Yes trans temps are greater without a cooler but that would be the same with any vehicle. Does or would it effect the factory warranty or trans longevity? Again one should do whatever they feel necessary.

 

I just added a cooler to my 2019 with the 4.6 engine, had the first towing experience last weekend. Towed a 4500 pound Rv 320 miles and temps only once got over 200 degrees according to my scan gauge. I'm glad I have the cooler installed

 

The exceptions to the 10,000 mile rule are more people than not, especially in climates below 32° which is about half the USA and maybe all of Canada? They don't inform people about that though and you only know if you research yourself. The YouTube video is not just a random YouTuber, its clearly a very knowledgeable mechanic in his shop, pulling out an engine and replacing the short block, showing you what happens when you do 10,000 mile oil changes. Its easy to be naive and not try to educate yourself on everything you can. Most people don't and Toyota knows that and doesn't care because they know the vehicles will be well out of warranty before any issues arise.

 

This is correct.

I worked for an automotive OEM and one of my early projects was a comparison of oil change intervals on engine damage. This was to support a multitude of initiatives.

We used a Las Vegas cab company. Installed new engines. I arranged the testing plan and the in-test measurements.

From 3000 to 5000 mile intervals the engine components had so little wear we had to use precision scales to see if there was a material loss in the decimal range of milligrams. The 5000 mile engines had some minor varnish. Only difference.

7500, 10,000, 12500, 15,000 mile intervals all had measurable wear. 7500 was very minimal. Wear picked up appreciably 10,000 miles and up.

This test was 120,000 miles.

Only difference is this was a synthetic blend engine oil.

Changing to a synthetic like 0w-20 Toyota/Exxon with high moly I would not be surprised if the 7500 mile interval would show less wear (than the test results with blended oil). But 10,000 and up no way.

 

Excellent. No issues.

 

I know lots of master mechanics and none have the time to do any videos. I also have quite a few friends that use U tube to make money but the content is not always accurate. Again if one feels they need a cooler go for it. I have factory extended warranties to cover me well over 100K onmore than one Toyota and a dealer lifetime powertrain BS warranty so I am good.

 

It looks like AMD films his videos before or after hours at the dealership. Set up a camera, and talk for an hour. Work in a test drive or two to edit in to the video later.

Now if you were talking about a master mechanic for one of the domestic brands, yeah I'm sure those guys are super busy all the time.

 

He actually opened his own shop, but the walls are painted like a Toyota dealership shop. www.tccnautomotive.com

These days I wouldn't be surprised if the youtube channel pays better.

 

I'm guessing you didn't actually watch the video. The guy talks and then just sets up a camera while him and his crew do the work and then it time lapses. Good luck collecting on those warranties if you ever have an issue. Think about it, a powertrain is 100% not going last a lifetime and a warranty that would replace it at no cost would make no money and extended warranties are just about making money. I'm sure the fine print would reveal that they will not cover anything considered wear and tear which would be anything you'd be trying to claim. Adding a cooler is a much better investment than an extended warranty. Clearly you must own a 19-21 and just don't want to add a cooler so need to convince yourself that you don't need one. That's fine, I did the same for the first two years of ownership and then realized how ridiculous the temps are and decided to add mine.

 

I truly find it fascinating how polarizing this debate is.

It’s worst that politics. Ultimately it comes down to your an idiot for not installing a cooler or your an idiot for having one.

Yes greatly simplified I know…

Personally I am not seeing temps anywhere near what many owners are posting in these forums. And the temps quickly dissipate in my case. I frequent many hilly highways in north NJ and NY.

I have an extended warranty but I am on the fence. There has been ZERO evidence with my particular truck compelling the debate one way or the other. FYI at 70mph I have a constant of about 205 (+ or - 3 depending on the ambient temp).


Before I get flamed take note of the use of statements such as “my case” and/or “my particular truck”…