[MDXLuvr]

Hey guys, i am debating placing an aftermarket transmission cooler on my 'X. I figured that even if i didn't tow, it would help the 'X run cooler(especially in Tx). I know that the Acura cooler sucks, but which ones do you guys recommend? oh, and is it a do-it-yourself job?

I hope i am not being redundant, i did a search and didn't find much info.

Thanx in advance.

 

[ardvarkus]

I've not put one on my MDX, but have used this on my Q45.

I actually know quite a few folks who've used this on the Q (it is THE recommended cooler for that app)

B&M # 70268
see: http://www.bmracing.com/noflash/index.html

This comes with fittings and a mounting kit. I've put it between the radiator and ac coils.

It has good flow characteristics, plus an automatic bypass. Should be around $45-50.


Ard

 

[MDXLuvr]

Thanks Ard. I checked out your link. 19,000 GVWR - wow, that's a lot.

Question: could you tell if it made you Q perform better? How many miles did u put on the Q?

 

[ardvarkus]

Luvr-

Don't look at the CGVWR numbers-- what do they mean anyway...

I'll give you the smart a-- answer to "did it make the Q perform better":

Compared to having a premature tranny failure, it appears to work excellent...

Problem is, there is NO diagnostics on most vehicles regarding tranny temp. Be that the MDX, or my Q or even my F250 4x4PSD. Unless you monitor tranny temp with a guage you'll never know.

Heat will kill the tranny by destroying seals. First symptoms are low line pressure, slow shifts, slippage. By then, too late...

I've got 182k on the Q. Still driving it. Second tranny, dealer replaced first at 98k. Way to heavy a car with 300 HP for the tranny to last that long.

Ard

 

[rflagg]

Cooler info

I purchased the Acura trailer hitch and coolers from Tim. While I installed the hitch & electrical, I had my mechanic install the coolers. ($170 installed, parts and fluid included)

The cooler installation instructions are pretty straight forward. However, my mechanic had a bear of a time removing all those clips. He ended up breaking 5 of them, and had to go to the Acura dealer to get new ones.

The other complaint about the process is that you fill the transmission fluid by unscrewing a metal plug. (Normally, you can fill it up via the dipstick.)

---------------

I had the factory coolers installed for three reasons.
1.) I wanted the trailer hitch.
2.) From what I'm told, the warranty can be voided if the coolers are not installed with the hitch.
3.) I like the idea of added cooling protection for the transmission.


rflagg

 

[ardvarkus]

rflagg-

Nice to have a mechanic that does honest work, no? $170 is a good deal for a 2+ hr job.

I agree with your three reasons, and I'll add another:

4. The hitch comes with a factory electrical interface so you don't have to cut into your wiring harness..

FWIW, installing a hitch without the coolers cannot 'automatically' void the warranty- problem is, if Acura wants to deny a warranty claim and they say you've misused the hitch, you may need a lawyer to prevail. Not worth the doubt, especiually since the extra cooling is perfect for extending your transmission life (even without towing) by many miles.

I DID think you could use the dip stick OR the plug... what's the story with that?

Ard

 

[rflagg]

rflagg-

I DID think you could use the dip stick OR the plug... what's the story with that?

Ard

I don't know. That is what my mechanic said. I know that he would have preferred to fill it up via the dip stick. So, something must have prevented it.

I'll ask him if I remember!


rflagg

 

[MDXLuvr]

rflagg, thanx for your response, but that doesn't quite answer my question.

I don't want to put the Acura tranny cooler b/c it is too small(IMHO). Therefore, I want to get the largest cooler that will fit in the engine bay. I am trying to find out which aftermarket cooler will do that.

 

[tjwid]

If there is a better transmission cooler, I am interested to hear as well. As for the Acura cooler, how much does it cost? I can't find it on Tim's website. Is it easy to install? Thanks.

 

[rflagg]

If there is a better transmission cooler, I am interested to hear as well. As for the Acura cooler, how much does it cost? I can't find it on Tim's website. Is it easy to install? Thanks.

Tim sells it with the trailer hitch. (About $500.) I'm sure that if you call him up, he can quote you a price for just the cooler.

rflagg

 

[ardvarkus]

Lots of posts on the Acura cooler.

Try the search function...

If I recall, the install instructions are posted somewhere.

You can probably get 2 or 3 of the B&M coolers "in the engine bay"...

If you are serious about tranny cooling, buy a digital guage, monitor the tranny temp and start adding coolers... there IS a bit of engineering involved! (You don't want your tranny constantly cold in the winter..)

I think you'll be hard pressed to find someone with a 'drop in, fully documented, tried-and-true' alternative to the factory. Truth is, anything other than the Acura cooler MIGHT be an issue with Acura in a warranty situation.

Ard

PS rflagg- per service manual, page 14-137:

"If the level is below the lower mark, remove the dipstick and poir the recommended fluid into the dipstick guide hole to bring it to the upper mark." (It isn't in the same page as the change procedure, but is with the 'check level' procedure... I thought I'd seen it.)

 

[mcclendons]

I ended up installing the Acura coolers after giving aftermarkets a shot. I wanted BOTH the PS and trans cooler, in case I ever tow..... and so that Acura could not complain about thier 0 lb towing capacity w/o coolers (slight jab intended, even my Explorer could tow something................)

You can easily mount one cooler with some custom brackets in front of radiator/and A/C Cond. I could not come up with a way (I liked) to mount two coolers. After trying some alternatives, I bought the Acura units from Tim. The Trans unit is better than I thought. It is well finned over whole tube, and is a reasonable diameter. Still not a good aftermarket, but appears heavy enough to do the job. Acura was probably right at margins with the internal radiator cooler, and the addition of the finned tube will add a good degree of cooling. A good aftermarket would do "better", but after seeing this one think it is good enough.

Tim does (did) sell the Trans coolers alone. I bought the Trans and the PS for a little over $310 from him in Nov (price may have changed). The Trans was the higher of the two, but do not remember the exact #s. My local dealer wanted just over $400 for the two, and insisted that they needed to install. I admit, it was tough getting the hose clamps off