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Extending Automatic Transmission Life (Long)

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Old 04-16-2004, 03:05 PM
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Originally Posted by oldguy
"With that cooler you shouldn't need to pull over to let it cool down unless something is grossly wrong with the trans.

Ideally, you should see trans temps between 150 - 200 degrees Fahrenheit."

So anything below 200 degrees is OK and if it gets over that there is a problem? It has been running around 120 degrees. I was pulling a small trailer up a hill and the temp went up to 140 degrees.

Thanks, Larry
Hi Larry,

Again, the ideal range is between 150 and 200. I wouldn't say that short duration temps that are as high as 220 are necessarily terrible, but under 200 is certainly better.

I'm guessing that you won't get anywhere near that.

Remember, a trans fluid to anti-freeze heat exchanger without an external cooler can only cool the fluid to the engine's normal operating temperature which is usually 195 to 205 degrees.

-John
Old 04-17-2004, 04:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Transdude
Hi Larry,

Again, the ideal range is between 150 and 200. I wouldn't say that short duration temps that are as high as 220 are necessarily terrible, but under 200 is certainly better.

I'm guessing that you won't get anywhere near that.

Remember, a trans fluid to anti-freeze heat exchanger without an external cooler can only cool the fluid to the engine's normal operating temperature which is usually 195 to 205 degrees.

-John
Thanks, John for the good info. Larry
Old 05-01-2006, 07:10 AM
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Great info in this post. Thanks.

Roy
Old 05-01-2006, 08:06 AM
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With regular maintanance and a good cooler, what kind of life should we expect from an auto trans? Like my 89 4Runner.

What's your opinion on electric fans on the cooler?

Roy

Last edited by Rather Diesel; 05-01-2006 at 08:19 AM.
Old 03-27-2009, 03:27 PM
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Transdude,

I have a question about changing the filter on my 97 4runner. Initially I was going to change the filter and pan gasket, clean the pan and then flush the system to get all the fluid exchanged. I heard that if this is done the the filter gets plugged up from the flush and should be changed again. Any thoughts on the subject? Also what would be a good external cooler for my application?

Thanks for all the great info.
Old 03-27-2009, 03:44 PM
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This is Transdude's website: http://www.importperformancetrans.com/coolers.shtml

And since he recommends the Long Tru Cool coolers on his website I'm pretty sure he'd say the same thing here.

nm....

Last edited by mt_goat; 04-01-2009 at 04:57 AM.
Old 03-27-2009, 04:17 PM
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Ok Thanks I guess I just need to figure out what size I should get for my application.
Old 03-30-2009, 03:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Richjrosa
Ok Thanks I guess I just need to figure out what size I should get for my application.
You don't really need to worry about the filter- it's just a screen that you probably don't need to change.

As far as coolers go, measure the area where you plan to install it and select the biggest one that will fit. If you click on any of the items on this page, the dimensions will be listed:
http://www.importperformancetrans.com/coolers.shtml

-John
Old 03-30-2009, 05:14 PM
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Transdude.........I really admire your knowledge of transmissions and experience and great posting I made a copy of the list of things to do to prolong the life of the transmission
.I would like to know, how can I know if my torque converter is bad I have a 95 4runner 3.0 4x4 A340H chain drive.I have a vibration that is driving me crazy and along with some yotatech members I think I have a bad or going bad t.c.would you please read my thread and give me some advice if possible. I would appreciate it https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...runner-178149/
Dwayne

Last edited by buckz6319; 03-30-2009 at 05:31 PM.
Old 04-01-2009, 04:13 AM
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Originally Posted by buckz6319
Transdude.........I really admire your knowledge of transmissions and experience and great posting I made a copy of the list of things to do to prolong the life of the transmission
.I would like to know, how can I know if my torque converter is bad I have a 95 4runner 3.0 4x4 A340H chain drive.I have a vibration that is driving me crazy and along with some yotatech members I think I have a bad or going bad t.c.would you please read my thread and give me some advice if possible. I would appreciate it https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...runner-178149/
Dwayne
I would guess the balancer, converters can cause a vibration but it usually won't just start happening. A converter vibration is generally associated with a rebuilt or new unit that is improperly balanced.

-John
Old 07-04-2009, 02:50 AM
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Flush or not to flush....199000 mi..97 2wd Ltd....no maint history...no problems that I am aware of or experiencing...daily driver for my family. What do you think I should do...just want to make it last and maintain it properly?!?
Thanx in advance!
Tony
Old 10-27-2009, 06:20 AM
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Ok, this sounds dumb, but besides all the maintenance procedures and devices to prolong the life of a transmission, how should I actually DRIVE an auto transmission? (The dos and don'ts )I've got a 4Runner with a newly installed (used) a340H and I want to treat is well.
Old 10-27-2009, 06:43 AM
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Originally Posted by pwd
Ok, this sounds dumb, but besides all the maintenance procedures and devices to prolong the life of a transmission, how should I actually DRIVE an auto transmission? (The dos and don'ts )I've got a 4Runner with a newly installed (used) a340H and I want to treat is well.
Simplest thing to do is drive like a 80 year old lady out on a Sunday drive. No full throttle shifts, and the less shifting the better (ie all highway miles).
Old 10-27-2009, 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by foxtrapper
Lets not forget to flush the tranny, as opposed to merely draining the pan, which only gets about half the fluid. Simple enough to flush it by disconnecting a tranny cooler line, starting the engine, and letting it drain. Easy to keep up wit the fluid by adding new in the top filler tube. Figure on about 2-3 gallons to do it right.

Beware of scorched fluid. If you've managed to burn it by working it to hard or running it low, replace the fluid.
You can flush once and then drain and fill every oil change. It has largely the same effect. However, draining and filling the transmission is a pain and I don't do it. Every 25K it is off to Jiffy for a flush-and I watch them like a hawk.
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