An aftermarket tranny cooler gets recommended here on a regular basis. I'd like to keep the 4EAT on my 97 Legacy GT w/ 175000m functioning for another 175k. Will a tranny cooler help? I see light, medium and heavy duty coolers at a parts site. Anybody wanna recommend one? And is installation straightforward for someone who is competent but not exactly a real mechanic?

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Tom

Do heavy duty if you tow.

Very easy to install. If your winters are cold, find one with termostat control (B&M are popular brand).

However, if your tranny survived 175000, then maybe you don't need a cooler after all. Another consideration is Synthetic ATF, as it is known to decrease temp a few degrees.

Thanks, FJ. No towing. I was experiencing transmission slip when it was warm, but I think I've decided that it was caused by air in the cooling system from seeping HGs. I don't think the transmission was getting cooled properly. My theory anyway. But I think I'll install a cooler in hopes of never having to do tranny repair.

 

I'd like to put synthetic ATF in, as I run AMSOIL in all our vehicles with good results. But the transmission takes 10 qts so I don't know if I'll spring for it.

 

Thanks again.

 

Tom