Transmission cooling-can it be improved?

[HILLY]

On my jeep I plumbed in a transmission cooler after the factory cooler (factory is in the bottom of the radiator) and it is pretty effective but it is a lot different setup than the ford.

I did a very similar install on my old 4Runner with good results. Why I also contemplated this on this truck as well. It’s not a bad thing to get it up to a decent operating temp quickly. Just keeping it cool after the fact.

I know mishimoto makes the thermostat bypass valve as well. Sounds like the ford unit can be problematic and get stuck not allowing fluid to pass through the cooler. But their plumbing is completely different than the expeditions.

 

[Rednecked]

Shutters require removal of the bumper/grille. After that it’s very easy. Just pop them out of their plastic bracket.

Nothing else done. No check engine light but I do have a soft code for the actuator out of range.

As far as the cooler, I’ll probably tackle that again. Just need to find a shop willing to be creative. Not sure if I’d remove the HX or plumb it in after it.

IC shutters don’t require you to remove the bumper etc… drop the intercooler from underneath and pull the shutters. Easy….

Upper radiator shutters well…… thats prolly a day worth of work removing the front end.

 

[HILLY]

IC shutters don’t require you to remove the bumper etc… drop the intercooler from underneath and pull the shutters. Easy….

Upper radiator shutters well…… thats prolly a day worth of work removing the front end.

Good to know. But if you're going to do one, why not the other. I can have the bumper off in 15 minutes, so probably not much difference for the IC R&I.

 

[duneslider]

okay, how do I gut the shutters without it throwing codes? Is there any reason besides fuel efficiency that the shutters make sense?

I'm not terribly concerned with fuel efficiency...this is the most fuel efficient vehicle I have ever owned...

 

[duneslider]

I have a 2012 Limited with heavy duty tow package...I replaced my stock 5 core cooler with a OEM Ford Raptor 10 core cooler and its a easy swap using the same bracket...easy upgrade....

The 2012 cooling system is nothing like the Gen 4 cooling system. The Gen 3 was a much better setup than the Gen 4.

 

[HILLY]

okay, how do I gut the shutters without it throwing codes? Is there any reason besides fuel efficiency that the shutters make sense?

I'm not terribly concerned with fuel efficiency...this is the most fuel efficient vehicle I have ever owned...

You're not going to throw any codes that will inconvenience you. No check engine light. At least not in my case. Might throw a shop tech off after doing a code scan and doesn't realize what has been done. I did leave a shutter in place where it mounts to both the radiator and IC actuators, but it still doesn't limit it enough to where it throws a soft code.

It's twofold for what it is to accomplish:
1. To block off airflow to get the engine hot as quickly as possible (emissions).
2. The minimizing of air flow through the engine provides some mileage efficiency.

There's a few cases where you can see performance trumps these setups. Look at a normal BMW vs an M car (i.e. X5 vs X5M). The X5M doesn't have any shutters in the grilles and is setup for max efficiency for cooling.

 

[Rednecked]

Good to know. But if you're going to do one, why not the other. I can have the bumper off in 15 minutes, so probably not much difference for the IC

Good to know. But if you're going to do one, why not the other. I can have the bumper off in 15 minutes, so probably not much difference for the IC R&I.

15mins?? Come over….. lol

 

[chuck s]

No solutions based on my similar truck and trailer -- but wildly different terrain.

Was curious but not concerned about my transmission temperatures so over Memorial Day I compared my 2017 Expedition XLT 3.5EcoBoost normal transmission temperature (not towing) with towing with my Roo 23SS on the back and there was basically no difference. 190°F to maybe 203°. Pretty constant just below 200°. Virginia not Arizona though. HD Tow/Haul On or Off also seemed to make no discernible difference. Didn't pay close attention last summer in the mountains here but will the next time.

Please keep us up to date on other solutions.

-- Chuck

 

[Mr Big]

For reference purposes, my Expedition Platinum with the heavy duty tow package, here in Tampa Bay Florida, has a coolant temp of 190 to 205 and a tranny temp of 182 to 190. Both were higher, (coolant 212, tranny 208), before my dealership performed software updates to the pcm and tcm modules.

 

[duneslider]

For reference purposes, my Expedition Platinum with the heavy duty tow package, here in Tampa Bay Florida, has a coolant temp of 190 to 205 and a tranny temp of 182 to 190. Both were higher, (coolant 212, tranny 208), before my dealership performed software updates to the pcm and tcm modules.

Struggling to make sense of that, not sure what reprogramming would do to change that? I do have a recall that needs to be done so maybe I will talk to them when I take it in and see if there are any updates that need to be done. What was the reason you have the pcm/tcm updated?