mpio13
1/2 ton status
On my '90 K5, last year I installed a new aluminum radiator. Its worked great at keeping my engine cool. I replaced the original steel tranny cooler lines as well and plumbed them into the side of the new radiator. This also worked and looked great.
About 3 months ago I noticed the lower line developed a mild leak. This didn't bother me too much but as the vehicle is my daily driver and weekend trail rig I figured I'd better take care of it.
The need for an auxilary tranny cooler also became evident after installing larger axles and tires on my rig. One day on a trail my fiance from the passenger seat asked why the floor between us was so hot. I told her it was normal but knew that the torque converter and rest of the tranny was being really heated up from all the friction and abuse.
When I popped my hood to look at what had to be done, I noticed my A/C condensor inlet and outlet lines were right next to the tranny cooler lines (on the passenger side). So I figured: Why not run my lines directly into the condensor for a huge auxilary cooler? This would A) be a much larger cooling area than the small side tank of the radiator. And B) give my condensor purpose and a new life, since my A/C doesn't work anyways.
I found that the high side A/C line between the condenser and evaperator had a fitting with a nut at either end. I made sure the system was completely empty of refrigerant and unbolted this line, which is the outlet from the condensor. I then found that the side in which bolted to the evaperator was the same size nut as the inlet to the condensor that normally is plumbed to the compressor (which I unbolted from the condensor and turned and screwed it onto the evaporator inlet where the orginal line was taken from to seal the rest of the system, "just in case").
Now I had the condensor inlet and outlet open, the high side aluminum line in hand ready for the mod and the A/C system resealed.
To flush PAG oil and residual matter from the condensor I poured an A/C flush chemical into the top, inlet hole, using some rubber hose. I followed that with transmission fluid until I saw no more A/C flush coming out of the other side, but only good, clean ATF.
My plan was to utilize both radiator and condensor to cool the tranny. So I left the tranny cooler feed line (non leaking) alone, bolted to the radiator. Cut the lower, return line about 2 inches from the radiator and gave each side a slight bubble flare (I also removed the radiator fitting cleaned it up and resealed it to stop the leak). Then, I took the high side line I'd taken from the A/C system, cut it in half, made sure the seals were ok to re-use and gave each newly cut side a slight bubble flare. I bolted each end to it's respective condesor side, and used some transmission specific rubber hose and clamps to connect one side to the return tranny cooler line, and the other side I connected to the 2 inch, resealed radiator side of the system. Now, tranny fluid would come into the radiator, come out cooler, only to be turned around again into the condensor to be cooled again, before returning to the tranny.
It worked out great. The A/C line was 3/8" and the tranny cooler lines were 10mm diameter, this is close enough in size to use a 3/8" inner diameter hose. Plus, while I knew I could find fittings and steel line to make all nice steel plumbing to connect the lines, I figure the rubber hose will allow for some movement that may occur while offroading when the frame twists.
I even noticed that the original A/C high side fitting with the schrader valve was still on the line I used, I pressed in the schrader with the truck running and pressurized ATF sprayed out, so I know there is good flow. And I though I might be able to utilize that somehow, someday. Maybe a temp sensor or pressure sensor to monitor the system.
I have yet to measure the temp of the fluid going in and coming out. Nor do I have a tranny temp guage to view the difference from before to after, but I'm sure this mod, even if only slightly effective is worth it, seeing as it only took 2 hours and, for me, was free. (The ATF, A/C flush and other materials were around my shop already.)
Anyways, tell me what you guys think! Also: I'd like to convert my useless A/C compressor into an air compressor if anyone has any advice.
About 3 months ago I noticed the lower line developed a mild leak. This didn't bother me too much but as the vehicle is my daily driver and weekend trail rig I figured I'd better take care of it.
The need for an auxilary tranny cooler also became evident after installing larger axles and tires on my rig. One day on a trail my fiance from the passenger seat asked why the floor between us was so hot. I told her it was normal but knew that the torque converter and rest of the tranny was being really heated up from all the friction and abuse.
When I popped my hood to look at what had to be done, I noticed my A/C condensor inlet and outlet lines were right next to the tranny cooler lines (on the passenger side). So I figured: Why not run my lines directly into the condensor for a huge auxilary cooler? This would A) be a much larger cooling area than the small side tank of the radiator. And B) give my condensor purpose and a new life, since my A/C doesn't work anyways.
I found that the high side A/C line between the condenser and evaperator had a fitting with a nut at either end. I made sure the system was completely empty of refrigerant and unbolted this line, which is the outlet from the condensor. I then found that the side in which bolted to the evaperator was the same size nut as the inlet to the condensor that normally is plumbed to the compressor (which I unbolted from the condensor and turned and screwed it onto the evaporator inlet where the orginal line was taken from to seal the rest of the system, "just in case").
Now I had the condensor inlet and outlet open, the high side aluminum line in hand ready for the mod and the A/C system resealed.
To flush PAG oil and residual matter from the condensor I poured an A/C flush chemical into the top, inlet hole, using some rubber hose. I followed that with transmission fluid until I saw no more A/C flush coming out of the other side, but only good, clean ATF.
My plan was to utilize both radiator and condensor to cool the tranny. So I left the tranny cooler feed line (non leaking) alone, bolted to the radiator. Cut the lower, return line about 2 inches from the radiator and gave each side a slight bubble flare (I also removed the radiator fitting cleaned it up and resealed it to stop the leak). Then, I took the high side line I'd taken from the A/C system, cut it in half, made sure the seals were ok to re-use and gave each newly cut side a slight bubble flare. I bolted each end to it's respective condesor side, and used some transmission specific rubber hose and clamps to connect one side to the return tranny cooler line, and the other side I connected to the 2 inch, resealed radiator side of the system. Now, tranny fluid would come into the radiator, come out cooler, only to be turned around again into the condensor to be cooled again, before returning to the tranny.
It worked out great. The A/C line was 3/8" and the tranny cooler lines were 10mm diameter, this is close enough in size to use a 3/8" inner diameter hose. Plus, while I knew I could find fittings and steel line to make all nice steel plumbing to connect the lines, I figure the rubber hose will allow for some movement that may occur while offroading when the frame twists.
I even noticed that the original A/C high side fitting with the schrader valve was still on the line I used, I pressed in the schrader with the truck running and pressurized ATF sprayed out, so I know there is good flow. And I though I might be able to utilize that somehow, someday. Maybe a temp sensor or pressure sensor to monitor the system.
I have yet to measure the temp of the fluid going in and coming out. Nor do I have a tranny temp guage to view the difference from before to after, but I'm sure this mod, even if only slightly effective is worth it, seeing as it only took 2 hours and, for me, was free. (The ATF, A/C flush and other materials were around my shop already.)
Anyways, tell me what you guys think! Also: I'd like to convert my useless A/C compressor into an air compressor if anyone has any advice.
