Automatic Transmission Fluid Cooler
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 1 | Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) cooler |
| 2 | Hose connection - Engine coolant outlet |
| 3 | Hose connection - ATF pipe inlet |
| 4 | Hose connection - Engine coolant inlet |
| 5 | Hose connection - ATF pipe outlet |
| 6 | Mounting bracket |
The Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) cooler is attached to a mounting bracket and is secured to the left side of the front subframe with 2 bolts. The ATF cooler has 2 lugs which locate in corresponding lugs on the mounting bracket and secured with a screw. The ATF cooler is an aluminum housing comprising louvred fins and plates. The plates allow a cross-flow of ATF and engine coolant through the ATF cooler.
The plates are immersed in engine coolant from the 'cold' side of the radiator. This provides cooling of the ATF by the temperature differential between the ATF and the engine coolant. The ATF cooler receives engine coolant from the low temperature zone at the left side of the radiator. The engine coolant flow through this section of the radiator is restricted by the ATF cooler. Therefore the engine coolant has a slower flow rate across the cooling tubes of this section of the radiator. This cools the engine coolant more than the lower part of the radiator and consequently provides increased cooling of the ATF. The engine coolant then passes from the ATF cooler to the electric thermostat housing.
The finer control of the ATF warm up is provided by warming valves installed in the engine cooling system.
For additional information, Refer to: TRANSMISSION COOLING