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Re: best transmission cooler

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2020 8:52 am
by Iainboyd
To advise the removal of the transmission thermostat is total rubbish and I wouldnt advise anyone to do it.
Reading the ZF6R80 service and repair manual the thermostat not only controls the temperature of the ATF passing into the cooler but it also acts as a bypass valve controlling ATF flow to the sump filter.
To prevent this by-pass you would need to remove the valve plate and block off the by-pass passage to ensure that all of the ATF flowed through the cooler (standard or accessory) and to the filter, otherwise there is no way to control it and only a reduced proportion of the ATF flow will go to the cooler as fluid will always follow the passage of least resistance and it will go straight to the filter.

Re: best transmission cooler

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2020 10:14 am
by Bala1
I have been to Toowoomba and now in Bluff heading north. Still need to manage temp towing van and with gear and motorbike in Ute.

I can't do 100kph in 5th unless us dead flat or it gets to hot. Fitrd a new fan hub in brisbane but no betterr.

Found I can do 90kph in 4th and engine temp stays in the low 90s. The road conditions rarely allow any faster speed so that's as good as it gets for me.

Re: best transmission cooler

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2020 10:21 am
by RossPat
Iainboyd wrote: Mon Oct 19, 2020 8:52 amI wouldnt advise anyone to do it.
What you would or wouldn't advise is irrelevant to me and obviously to many others before me.
If you towed 2.5 to 3 tons you may see why it is done.
As you don't tow and only drive @ 90 kph your advice is worthless.

Re: best transmission cooler

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2020 11:39 am
by Iainboyd
RossPat wrote: Mon Oct 19, 2020 10:21 am
Iainboyd wrote: Mon Oct 19, 2020 8:52 amI wouldnt advise anyone to do it.
What you would or wouldn't advise is irrelevant to me and obviously to many others before me.
If you towed 2.5 to 3 tons you may see why it is done.
As you don't tow and only drive @ 90 kph your advice is worthless.
I would advise you to obtain a ZF6R80 Service, Repair and Maintenance manual and read it - from cover to cover - and understand how the auto box works and its design and then advise people.
Mine is published by Engine Distributors Inc. EDI/1040020 Revision 1, issued May 2014. -- "Powertrain Assemblies & Components provided by Ford Component Sales".
By all means do what you want to do with your Ranger, it's yours to do as you wish but dont advise others to carry out modifications if your advise is obviously contrary to the manufacturers design.

I will quote you.
Page 1-20.
"Transmission fluid from the pump assembly and the torque converter exit the transmission case to go to the transmission fluid cooler through the bottom of the transmission fluid cooler tube and returns to the through the top of the fluid transmission fluid cooler tube.
With lower transmission fluid temperatures, the thermal bypass valve in the transmission case bypasses the the transmission fluid cooler tubes and directs the fluid to the lubrication circuit. As transmission fluid temperatures increases, the thermal bypass valve directs the fluid to the transmission fluid cooler.
Transmission fluid from the transmission fluid cooler or the thermal bupass valve enters the main lubrication circuit from the top of the transmission fluid cooler tube port.
Transmission fluid in the lubrication circuit flows to each of the balance pistons for the forward (A) direct (B) and overdrive (E) clutches. The balance pistons prevent unwanted clutch application when the clutch cylinder rotates at high speeds and hydraulic controls have released the clutch. "

The "thermal bypass valve" in the above quotated passage is what you have refered to as the thermostat. It doesnt just control the fluid flow to the cooler, it also constantly modulates and diverts some fluid away from the cooler to the lubrication circuit and to the drive control balance pistons and clutches, removing it will be detrimental to the life of the gearbox.

Re: best transmission cooler

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2020 12:06 pm
by RossPat
As before whatever you say/think means nothing

Re: best transmission cooler

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2020 5:15 pm
by Bala1
Ian the way I read it the thermostat is simply controlling oil flow through the cooler. The same qty of oil is always avail to the system.

On a good note for me I travelled today in constant 37c at 90kph in 4th. 2t van and 500kg in Ute. The highest coolant temp was 97c but mostly under 95c. That is better that 5th and 25c ambient yesterday where I had 106c coolant.
Less fuel in and 700rpm higher fan speed.

Re: best transmission cooler

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2020 6:08 pm
by saeb
Ian, it is fair to say that on numerous forums you have made recommendations and shared changes that are so far off of this planet that you leave the country shaking their head, so to tell someone else not to recommend something is far from warranted. Hosently I'm not fazed if you were the queen's engineer and worked on her 34 Land Rovers.

Seriously your quotes are really starting aggrivate me and as much as they are factual from a book, you also need to research to real world experiences from others around the world and not just on this subject. Your own experience is not the only experience or answer to a problem or solution.

Please possibly re read your posts. I quote "contrary to the manufacturers design"
. Removal of passenger airbag.
. Modifying coolant header tank Cap.

A couple of many. You continually do the opposite to your own above advise.


Ross calm the farm, go have a nap.

Everyone needs to find a way to help others from their own experience from parts and or parts, modifications, how I did this etc. Manuals are useful information should ideally be backed by real world experience.

Yes I repeated myself a few times, now I will have a nap.

Re: best transmission cooler

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2020 7:43 am
by PXXLTWA
I run a Mocal 16 row bar and plate air to oil cooler. These are made in the UK and are far more efficient than a finned tube style.

Re: best transmission cooler

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2020 9:53 am
by RossPat

Re: best transmission cooler

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2020 9:58 am
by RossPat
PXXLTWA wrote: Thu Dec 31, 2020 7:43 am I run a Mocal 16 row bar and plate air to oil cooler. These are made in the UK and are far more efficient than a finned tube style.
Yes, I have seen them.
I am happy with my dual core designed for Rangers, and so are a lot of others.
I am curious as to why a trans cooler be needed in England?
Their hottest month is July with an average temp of 66F (18C)
Would Australian made & designed coolers be more efficient to cope with our temperatures.

Re: best transmission cooler

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2020 12:06 pm
by PXXLTWA
Mocal is one of the oldest and highest quality cooler manufacturers. They export their products around the world to places where it’s hotter.

http://www.mocal.co.uk/

Re: best transmission cooler

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2021 11:45 pm
by PXXLTWA
Towed a 1600kg van plus camping stuff yesterday. Sat on 100km/hr and only saw 2 deg temp rise (90-92) in trans and engine up any hills. Mind you WA is relatively flat so I’m happy.

We then did sand dunes this arvo 4L heaps of 3/4 throttle and same result. I’m stoked with my cooler setup.

Re: best transmission cooler

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2024 9:18 pm
by OctiArm
I am looking to eliminate possible coolant fluid related failures on my 2014 3.2 wildtrak such as a leaking ATF heat exchanger resulting in rapid coolant fluid loss. I don't think I need improved ATF cooling (I do tow but I live in the UK).

Is there a reliable fluid/fluid heat exchanger that could replace the stock one, or should I replace it with an air cooled unit and if so can it be fitted where the stock heat exchanger is now or does it need to be relocated to in front of the intercooler?

Thanks in advance for any and all options I should consider .

Re: best transmission cooler

Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:47 pm
by Lincolnland
Pwr will have what you need