I assume that you want to know, as well, whether or not these external transmission coolers have a flow direction. To that effect, this article not only answers this transmission cooler flow direction query but also covers other topics that are related to it.
So, do transmission coolers have a flow direction?
No, they don’t. The coolers can have the transmission fluid flow through them in either direction.
Contents
Do Transmissions Have Coolers?
You’ll find a transmission cooler in nearly every vehicle with an automatic transmission system. Most of the time, this cooler is often installed somewhere in the radiator.
Unfortunately, the placement of the cooler inside the radiator can sometimes be a bad idea. Simply because it can cause problems if the radiator cracks, causing the different fluids that flow through it(the transmission fluid and the coolant) to leak and mix.
When it comes to manual transmission vehicles, on the other hand, a transmission cooler isn’t as typical with these vehicles that are based on manual transmission fluids.
Simply because manual transmission fluids generally don’t heat up as much and thus do not need a transmission cooler that much.
How Do Transmission Coolers Flow?
Basically, transmission coolers rely on inlet and outlet/return lines to circulate overheated transmission fluid between the radiator and the transmission system.
The inlet line lets the fluid into the radiator where it’s cooled down. On the other hand, the outlet/return line returns the cooled fluid to the car’s transmission system where it carries on with its job.
Usually, the line from the transmission cooler to the top of the radiator is the inlet line. And it tends to be hot because of the flow of overheated transmission fluid to the radiator through it.
Meanwhile, the line from the transmission cooler to the bottom of the radiator is normally the outlet or return line. And it’s never as hot because of the flow of cooled transmission fluid from the radiator back to the transmission system through it.
Does It Matter Which Line Goes Where On a Transmission Cooler?
The short answer is NO. It doesn’t matter how the transmission cooler is oriented when it comes to the transmission lines in relation to their flow.
Remember that the pressure exerted by the transmission system is what will enable the transmission fluid to flow through the cooler.
As such, where the inlet and return line go on a transmission cooler doesn’t really matter. In other words, having either line(inlet or outlet) on the top or bottom of the transmission cooler won’t affect the proper flow of the transmission fluid.
However, when it comes to the radiator in relation to the cooler’s inlet and return lines, where you connect each line matters a lot. The radiator has specific inlets and outlets to which you connect the respective lines.
The inlets are located on the upper part of the device whereas the outlets are found at the bottom. You should only connect the inlet line to the inlet of the radiator and vice versa. Otherwise, you might end up damaging your entire cooling system.
Which Transmission Cooler Line Is the Return?
The line that is connected to the radiator’s outlet is the return line. In other words, it’s the line that connects the transmission cooler to the outlet at the bottom of the radiator.
Conclusion
Notably, vehicle transmission fluids, especially automatic vehicles, tend to be very sensitive to temperature. For example, it can quickly overheat and get out of hand if the weather is too hot, or if you’re towing or driving up hills.
Similarly, it can unexpectedly run too cold if the weather is extremely cold. Consequently, the car can quickly fail prematurely or stop shifting as expected.
The transmission cooler is a secondary cooling system that keeps the automatic transmission fluid from overheating or running too cold. This ensures the car’s transmission system works perfectly.
Do these coolers have a flow direction? The short answer is no. These secondary cooling devices mostly found in automatic transmission vehicles can have the transmission fluid flow through them in either direction. It doesn’t matter which line goes where in the cooler.
