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Trans Cooler

Thank you guys so much for all of your help you have provided me learning the in and out of searching for a coach. Another issue I have heard about is the transmission cooler rusting out and contaminating the transmission fluid and the engine oil. This one looks bad, right? Newbie. :-)
Brian & Lisa Freeze
1996 U295 36FT Build #4914
Motorcade #18760

Re: Trans Cooler

Reply #1 –
That must be the same coach with the bottom rusted out. The outside of the trans. cooler doesn't show where they rust out on the inside.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Trans Cooler

Reply #2 –
Looks like in the first 2 pictures you have a drip waiting to fall from that rubber hose,the whole engine could use a degreasen,will look a whole lot better and be alot easier to work on.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Trans Cooler

Reply #3 –
Sorry so saying this but it seems you are still considering buying this coach? Transcooler failure is internal.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Trans Cooler

Reply #4 –
No more interest in this coach for me. Just using it as a learning experience. Thank all of you for your help!
Brian & Lisa Freeze
1996 U295 36FT Build #4914
Motorcade #18760

Re: Trans Cooler

Reply #5 –
The housing on the trans cooler is very thick.  Others have replaced their coolers which looked similar to yours or worse and found the internals just fine.  Just wire brush and keep paint on it.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Trans Cooler

Reply #6 –
I have discussed the trans cooler issue with two retired Allison people. The problem is not rust on the inside or outside. The problem is metal fatigue on the cooling bundle inside the cooler. There is a newer style cooler available that has a different design than the original and is not subject to the coolant contamination issue.

I replaced the cooler on our 2003 about 3 weeks ago.
2003 U320 4010 - SOLD
2014 RAM 1500 Ecodiesel

Re: Trans Cooler

Reply #7 –
Glad to hear that you "took a pass" on this coach; just not worth all the work that has to be done.  My guess is that the radiator is in pretty bad shape as well.  I know, because I had to replace everything under there. 

This is the first I've heard about internal metal fatigue, something I associate with constant bending of metal.  How would the inside fatigue?  Expansion and contraction of the tubes as they heat and cool (doesn't seem like 250 degrees would do that.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Trans Cooler

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Sven and Kristi –
Glad to hear that you "took a pass" on this coach; just not worth all the work that has to be done.  My guess is that the radiator is in pretty bad shape as well.  I know, because I had to replace everything under there. 

This is the first I've heard about internal metal fatigue, something I associate with constant bending of metal.  How would the inside fatigue?  Expansion and contraction of the tubes as they heat and cool (doesn't seem like 250 degrees would do that.
It is the expansion and contraction along with vibration that makes the internal parts fail. The new style is floating and doesn't have that issue. There was a long thread on this awhile back.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Trans Cooler

Reply #9 –
Would think it is the expansion and contraction of solder joints and disimilar metals.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Trans Cooler

Reply #10 –
When I cut through my old cooler I tried to loosen up the copper tubes without success.  I wanted to separate out the copper.  I was impressed with how solid it was. If the experts have a different experience, I will defer to their judgement.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Trans Cooler

Reply #11 –
Prices have changed, still looking for the Rocore information on the difference between the old and new style cooler.

3-1279B by ROCORE THERMAL SYSTEMS - OIL COOLER
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean
 

Re: Trans Cooler

Reply #12 –
Here is the information from the horse's mouth.

Transmission cooler replacement order
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean