Do I need a gearbox oil cooler?

[Kingfisher26]

Hi everyone, I'm thinking of using my MK1, 2 litre diesel auto to pull a caravan round Europe. Do I need to fit a gearbox oil cooler? Is there any way of monitoring gearbox temperature through the existing instrumentation. Am I worrying unnecessarily? As always any advice gratefully received. Jim

[Kev75]

It has one in the bottom of the radiator

Kev

[Kingfisher26]

Hi Kev, thanks for your answer, I did know about the cooler in the radiator, but read recently that this might not be up to the job if towing for long periods with an automatic, particularly for long uphill sections. Has anyone had a problem with this when towing? Jim

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Kingfisher26

.. I did know about the cooler in the radiator, but read recently that this might not be up to the job if towing for long periods with an automatic ...

Jim,

If your radiator electric cooling fan is working on all speeds you should have nothing to worry about. Its speed will increase if the ECU detects that additional cooling is required (source: RAVE).

Simon

[rustymotor]

Originally Posted by SD1too

Jim,

If your radiator electric cooling fan is working on all speeds you should have nothing to worry about. Its speed will increase if the ECU detects that additional cooling is required (source: RAVE).

Simon

That's a good point I knew the Volvo's worked like that from what Ive read it was wired in to the factory fitted tow bar system..

Correction: Think on the Volvo with factory fitted tow bar and when a load is hitched up, there is a signal to the ECU to set off in lower gear range.

[Davy]

I`ve towed several vans over the last 10 years with a diesel auto 75 tourer with some very near max weight and never had a problem.As said above just make sure the autobox oil is changed at regular intervals.

Davy

[alanaslan]

Originally Posted by Kingfisher26

Hi Kev, thanks for your answer, I did know about the cooler in the radiator, but read recently that this might not be up to the job if towing for long periods with an automatic, particularly for long uphill sections. Has anyone had a problem with this when towing? Jim

My cdti auto is putting out 160BHP and has covered 3,400 miles all over Europe with air temps in the thirty’s never had any problem with the box getting too hot it’s own cooler works fine. My van when fully loaded up is close to 1460kg the four passengers made up another 380 kg and probably 80kg of junk in the car. When towing I just stick the box in sports mode and the car pulls it along like it was not there. Best combination I have ever had my 75s combined over the passed 20 years have probably pulled over 280,000 miles with out a hitch. Pardon the pun.


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[hrissim]

Originally Posted by alanaslan

My cdti auto is putting out 160BHP and has covered 3,400 miles all over Europe with air temps in the thirty’s never had any problem with the box getting too hot it’s own cooler works fine. My van when fully loaded up is close to 1460kg the four passengers made up another 380 kg and probably 80kg of junk in the car. When towing I just stick the box in sports mode and the car pulls it along like it was not there. Best combination I have ever had my 75s combined over the passed 20 years have probably pulled over 280,000 miles with out a hitch. Pardon the pun.


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Without any smell from the gearbox???

[rustymotor]

There is a post HERE shows variations in transmission oil coolers from air blast to fluid item (19 ) if it helps. To my mind the air blast looks the best.

[alanaslan]

Originally Posted by hrissim

Without any smell from the gearbox???

No smell at all from the gearbox or from any other part of the powertrain. It perhaps should be noted that I change my ATF every 60,000 miles and the crankcase oil filter every 20,000, I use Land Rover. Crankcase filters you can usually pick them up for a fiver.


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