How hard is a Transmission Cooler Replacement? - Page 4

moorefc · 03-09-2019, 04:10 PM

Did you read thru some of the referenced threads? Your van is an older one, it is at the transmission, upper/cooler if I remember, but if you screw up fluid won't come out. The newer vans have a coupler behind the bumper coming from the cooler. That required the trans tool similar to the fuel filter tool. Separating the trans use a flare wrench, not a box end....When putting back on, don't overtighten and work clean....The same goes for the low torque 10mm pan bolts..Have fun!

olivelawn · 03-09-2019, 05:22 PM

Well, I don't have a flare end, only a box end wrench. I see two nuts going into the transmission and I wrenched pretty hard on the smaller one to no avail. I'm worried I'm going to break something. Am I supposed to use 2 wrenches on each nut in the opposite direction? Maybe I'll attach my clear rubber tubing further up under the bumper where the rubber hose from the cooler attaches to the metal lines.

Orv · 03-09-2019, 10:33 PM

Flare nut wrenches just help you avoid rounding off the nuts -- they contact more flats, spreading out the force. Harbor Freight sells a perfectly usable set, if you have one of their outlets near by.

If there's room, it's sometimes helpful to tap the end of the wrench with a rubber mallet, in the loosening direction. Sometimes the impact will break loose a stuck nut without rounding it off, when straight-up torque won't. Lots of smaller taps are better than one big one. I use this technique all the time, especially when dissimilar metals are threaded together (e.g., a steel bolt threaded into aluminum tends to stick.)

olivelawn · 03-09-2019, 11:30 PM

Well, I ended up attaching the clear hose straight onto the rubber hose from the transcooler under the bumper, started her up, shifted through the gears, back to park, and cut the engine probably a little late...tranny pump was still pushing out fluid, although with huge air gaps. Hopefully all is good. Dropped the pan and found the yellow marker suggesting the pan hasn't ever been dropped. At 160K? I did find a good bit of black oil around the magnet and on the underside of the tranny behind where you pull the filter out. I hope that's normal? Cleaned everything, replaced filter, put the pan back. Haven't filled her up with ATF yet...tranny cooler replacement tomorrow.