Trans Cooler/Heater/Thermostat needed?

Hello, I am new to the forum and have a question. I have a 2007 Tundra CrewMax Limited that is leaking antifreeze from the transmission. I have been told that I need a new Trans Cooler (part # 33490-34010). My question is, do I really need this cooler for my transmission to function properly? I do not tow anything. I sometimes put my 4 wheeler in the bed but that is about it. I live is South Alabama so it doesn't really get that cold here. I wasn't sure if this pump was for colder areas of the world that needs the water temp to help get the trans fluid up to temp or if it actually cools the transmission fluid. By the way, my Tundra does have the towing package and has another external (factory) trans oil cooler in front of the radiator. It is a 5.7l 2x4. Thanks and sorry for the weak first question for this forum. I just really hate to spend $400+ for this little pump if it is really not needed.

 

2018+ do not have a trans cooler
Don’t know of a bypass kits sorry

 

True, but the part the original poster is referring to is present on all years, regardless if they have an externally front mounted cooler or not. It’s really a heat exchanger. The leaking cooler uses antifreeze, which is brought down to the side of the transmission to heat and help manage transmission fluid temp.

I would imagine one could fabricate a U shaped bypass tube and insert it in place of the leaking cooler.


Greg

 

Thanks Greg. That is exactly what I am wondering. Can I just put a bypass tube in place of the heat exchanger without burning up my transmission or doing some other type of damage? I would assume that the front mounted trans cooler would cool the fluid down on its own but I wanted other opinions on this.

 

That drum with coolant is to help bring the transmission up to temp it can be bypassed, I would not recommend it unless you're really good at being nice to the trans while waiting for it to come up to temp. There are enough of Tundras in the scrap yard by this point to be able to go get one for $20 used. Have you done a pressure test to verify it is the cause of the leak or just visual inspection? I've never seen one leak.

 

I have performed a pressure test and could not find any leaking using this process. I really don't think it is leaking from the drum itself though. I took it to a transmission shop and they stated that it was leaking from the drum. When I have the truck running and crawl under there, I see the leak coming from the middle of the transmission housing where it connects to the bell housing unit. I can see a little bubble of coolant coming from this point every few seconds. I am not sure how it could be coming from this area. I made sure that it wasn't just running down the trans from a higher point as well.

 

Just bypass it. I live is South Georgia and keep mine pinned all the time. Temps stay around 150 vs 200 when not pinned. You already have coolant from the radiator heating it up as well. Now if you lived in a northern state where you steadily see teen temps I’d say no.

 

Thanks 1Rooster. I will try that this afternoon and keep an eye on temp. I just couldn't find anything online explaining exactly what this part was for so I was skeptical.

 

Given where you are saying that the coolant leak is coming from, I highly doubt that its the Drum that is leaking coolant. An internal leak of the Drum would cause coolant to mix with transmission fluid. An external leak (bad o-rings?) would show coolant coming from that immediate area and not from inside the Bell housing.

That said, bypassing the Drum would assist in doing a process of elimination. Since there is a coolant line coming down from the engine and back up to it, technically one could bypass at two points; at the Drum and at the engine. Bypassing at the Drum would require some sort of U shaped tubing to match the rubber antifreeze line ID. Bypassing at the engine would just require a properly sized rubber coolant line to jump between where the two antifreeze lines feeding the Drum are located in the engine. I can't help in telling you the ID of the rubber antifreeze hoses nor where the antifreeze hoses connect at the engine, they may not be easily accessible.

Greg

 

Thanks Greg. That was my thought as well. I felt like it was more an issue with some water jacket or line inside the transmission that was leaking and bypassing the drum would resolve this issue. I just wanted to see if this part was actually needed. I will try to find the size "U" that is needed and install it, ride a few days to see if there is any change in trans temp or anything else and report back to the forum. I really appreciate everyone's response. Sometimes you just need a second opinion on things.

 

I had to replace mine because of an internal leak. The only o-rings are for the trans fluid, not antifreeze. It's not hard to remove but you will have to drain your radiator. Do you have the tow package with an external trans cooler in front of the radiator?