2014 V6- no transmission cooler available!

[Brian S.]

I was surprised to see the 4.3l trucks, even with Z71 and tow gear, have no transmission coolers. I was more surprised my dealer said they couldn't even sell me one.

 

Before I go aftermarket, anyone know why this is?

 

Do I not need one because tow capacity is lower than the V8s?

[02suburbanZ71]

Tru cool 40K

[gone_fishing]

I was surprised to see the 4.3l trucks, even with Z71 and tow gear, have no transmission coolers. I was more surprised my dealer said they couldn't even sell me one.

 

Before I go aftermarket, anyone know why this is?

 

Do I not need one because tow capacity is lower than the V8s?

 

Can't answer your question but I was wondering have you been monitoring your transmission temps? Do you tow and if so how much weight? If the temps aren't regularly going over 200°F then I wouldn't bother with adding a transmission cooler.

[Brian S.]

 

Can't answer your question but I was wondering have you been monitoring your transmission temps? Do you tow and if so how much weight? If the temps aren't regularly going over 200°F then I wouldn't bother with adding a transmission cooler.

 

I tow a boat that weighs 2000lbs plus trailer. Yesterday the temp was at 203F while doing so.

[gone_fishing]

 

I tow a boat that weighs 2000lbs plus trailer. Yesterday the temp was at 203F while doing so.

 

If its not getting much higher than than (and not coming down) that doesn't sound too bad. My Sierra has the factory transmission cooler and I usually see around 195F but have seen low 200s for short periods of time when towing my boat.

[Brian S.]

Just got off the phone with GM tech support.

 

They said the normal operating temperature on my vehicle for the transmission fluid is up to 230F, so I don't need to worry about 203F.

 

Guess "howstuffworks" is out of date:

 

 

 

There are times when the fluid temperature can exceed the maximum range of 160 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (71 to 93 degrees Celsius), and when this happens the fluid begins to burn. This decreases the amount of fluid running through your transmission, which in turn can seriously damage all of the important moving parts within the transmission.

 

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/equipment/accessories/transmission-coolers1.htm

[Chris]

Install your own. Thwre is one already built into the radiator.

[newdude]

Yea no aux cooler on the 4.3, just the regular cooler thats part of the radiator.

[SuperSize]

I am bringing this back to see if there is a cooler available now. I have a 2015 4.3L 4x4.

 

Yesterday, I was driving up a pretty steep dirt road and trans temp got up to ~230. The road was rocky so I was only going 15-20 mph the temp was about 87F. I was not towing and only 2 people in the cab.

 

What is the max temp I should be worried about on these new transmissions?

[arkenzo]

I've seen my temps hit 213F with only 2 people in car, ambient temps of 98-100F..Was on Freeway 70-75mph

[Sierra Sik]

Just got back from a trip with my 2014, 4.3 v6, 3.23 standard rear end.Pulled a 1953 Hudson Hornet in an enclosed car trailer. Was deffinately towing at max load. trans temp stayed around 196-198 on highway at 61-62 mph in M5 tow haul mode.It was 90 degrees outside and 400 mi of rolling hills.Sure trans did shift on hills ,just like it is desighned to. 14 mpg avg. trans did get to 214 once in a stop and go traffic jam. Did it pull as nice as a 6.2 w/ max tow package ? No. Did it get the job done Hell Yes !

[Spurshot]

The effective fluid life will shorten with temperature. Of course, it is temperature and how long it is operated at that temperature. Not just one excursion to that temp. With one tow, and a short time at that temp, I wouldn't get too concerned about shortened life of the fluid. If you tow occasionally, I'd change the fluid more often. I think there's a recommendation in the owners manual.

 

I found this chart, but it doesn't have any info on what type of fluid. From the looks of the chart and temps, I'd guess it was old type Dexron III. The type of fluid is a big difference in the life. Our transmissions have Dexron VI, which is supposed to be very tolerant of higher temps.

 

[El_Diablo_John]

As a dealer, I'm honestly amazed at how many people feel the need to equip a vehicle with additional cooling when GM rated the truck to pull more than what they're using the vehicle for.

 

If GM rates a truck for 7,000lbs, you can rest assured that the vehicle is capable of towing at that capacity and has been tested while towing even more.

 

Transmissions and engines run hotter these days in the name of efficiency. Fluids have improved greatly over the past 10-20 years. The new fluids are designed for these higher temperatures.

 

Bottom line, GM rated your truck to tow a specific amount and it will be fine at or lower than that amount.

[MikeNH]

The charts and that website is outdated BS. The six speeds run in the low 200s all day long. If you're worried about temps then install an aftermarket one. They'll be substantially bigger than any OEM solution.

[SuperSize]

Well, does any one know at what temperature to be concerned? I did get over 230F with out towing, luckily I hit the top of the hill and was able to shut the truck down.

 

This was a rocky dirt road that went up 2200 feet in about 5 miles.