Flushing Transmission Coolers

[tbauer03]

I destroyed my tranny and need to clean out my coolers and lines so the fresh one stays fresh. I got the stock cooler in the radiator and an external cooler in front of the radiator. Should I take everything out and apart to flush individually or leave it all connected and flush it out.
What do you guys flush the system with? Compressed Air, Water, Both?

 

[SY2932]

Re: Flushing Transmission Coolers

I use a drill pump, brass fittings and vinyl tubing that can be bought from any decent hardware store:

I would recommend flushing each cooler separately. That way you won't risk pushing debris from a dirty cooler into a clean one... I have a transmission filter upstream of all my cooling to help keep stuff from getting in there in the first place if something ever lets loose. DO NOT use water, you will NEVER get it all out of there! A combination of air and clean ATF has always worked well for me. For best results, use a rubber tipped blow gun so that you can get a good seal when using it. I like to run at least a gallon of ATF though before I consider it ok.

 

[JSM]

Re: Flushing Transmission Coolers

I have heard from several shops plate style coolers just can't be cleaned. Last time Jeremy had his trans rebuilt and even though the trans didn't explode or go bad, the shop required he change out the cooler.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Flushing Transmission Coolers

for $85, why risk your $2500 trans.

The fins and passages are pretty easy to clog up. A filter inline is probably the best bet if you're going to keep it.

 

[sy2206]

Re: Flushing Transmission Coolers

Yes, I agree with these other guys. Replacing the coolers is far cheaper then tearing up your new trans. When I worked on the road course Viper's, everytime on of those car would blow up a trans or diff, the cooler and all the lines get replaced. They use braided lines(no steel tube like ours), so those line would collect all kinds of particles and keep them in there. Same thing there, on a $5k trans or $2500 diff, whats another $800 for lines and coolers.

And yes, they do have coolers for the manuals trans and the rear-end.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Re: Flushing Transmission Coolers

Ive always flushed them with mineral spirits and/or brake cleaner and compressed air, followed by running clean ATF through the lines/coolers similar to Mike, then more compressed air.

I dont run any external filters since they can clog and restrict flow, however magnetic inline filters seem to be a decent option.

just my :2cents: