Air vs Water cooled Tranny cooler

Discussion in 'Kenworth Forum' started by Slow302, Jul 12, 2018.

  1. Slow302

    Slow302 Medium Load Member

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    I seen and drove trucks wih both. 07 Century with Detroit 60 and 10 speed Eaton had air cooled, 04 Volvo with ISX and 99 T2000 with 3406E both with 13 speed Eaton and both water/antifreeze colled. 07 Century i anly drove for a months so not much experience or problems. Tranny temp newer climb higher than 200f. On 04 Volvo that i drove for 10 years didnt have any problems but tranny temps were in 200-220s since ISX runs warmer with EGR. Tranny cooler was located in frame, right over tranny. Now on 99 T2000 same setup as Volvo. Tranny temp is 200F on hot day. On 99 T2000 i made all heather hoses with shut off valves and i did some testing. If i shut off tranny cooler antifreeze line, tranny will run 220F on hot day.
    Now im thinkin to retro fit Air cooler and mount it somewhere where is a lot of air passing thru. Is this setup much efficient vs water cooled setup ?
    With Air cooled setup will eliminate mixing tranny fluid and antifreeze due to tranny cooler
    Also who makes good Air cooleer tranny cooler? Part #s would be great
    Thanks
     
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  3. DougA

    DougA Road Train Member

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    I guess I'm farther behind the times than I thought. Have never seen a water cooled truck transmission,mine had coolers,but it cooled the transmission oil.
     
  4. special-k

    special-k Road Train Member

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    Any generic oil cooler will do. Mine is mounted slightly behind and above the transmission. Grossing 80000lbs you really don't even need one.
     
    rabbiporkchop Thanks this.
  5. RET423

    RET423 Medium Load Member

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    Definitely air cooler, the water cooled units are a time bomb waiting to wreck your transmission with anti freeze. I have gotten over 1 million miles out of 13 speeds with an air cooler and never had a transmission temperature issue regardless of how demanding the work.
     
  6. jake744

    jake744 Light Load Member

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    Air for sure. I've seen so many water cooled trans burned slap up due to flailed cooler filling trans with water. By the time you catch it its to late. My new 389 Pete I ordered has a 565/2050 X15 and 18 speed and when I ordered the truck I tried to get air cooled cooler but it wasn't an option,water cooled is all you can get unfortunately.
     
  7. RET423

    RET423 Medium Load Member

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    Yeah I had to remove the water cooler and install an air cooler myself, you can't order it that way :(
     
  8. Slow302

    Slow302 Medium Load Member

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    I have found Eaton part #s for Air cooled setuo? K-1956 for kit and optional filter base S-1404 and filter 17238
     
    Oldironfan Thanks this.
  9. Slow302

    Slow302 Medium Load Member

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    Here is finished retrofit air cooled tranny cooler. I coulnt foun better place so i mount it on pass side right in front of fuel tank. Now is time to test it

    [​IMG][​IMG]
     
    mike216 Thanks this.
  10. Slow302

    Slow302 Medium Load Member

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    Did some testing. On idle over night temp was 145F vs 180F with. Driving on hot day 96F temp was 180F vs 205F. So there is good temp drop plus no more chances coolant mixing with tranny fluid
     
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