Can a Supplemental Transmission Cooler be Used to Bypass a Factory Cooler on a 2006 Chevy Silverado

Question:

I have a 2006 silverado 1500 4.8 v8. I took it by a transmission shop and they said I needed a tranny cooler I said ok and they installed it bypassing radiator. The tranny cooler is 2600lbs and 10000 towing is that big enough to bypass the radiator .. Im not doing any towing just a family truck

asked by: John

Expert Reply:

Usually a supplemental transmission cooler is designed to be added to the factory cooler system, not necessarily replace/bypass it. Since you are not doing any towing, using the largest supplemental cooler as you can as the primary cooler is acceptable.

I am also not sure why they said you needed a transmission cooler unless there is a problem with the transmission. But, transmission fluid cannot be overcooled and by adding a supplemental cooler, you will extend the transmission life.

If they set it up for the fluid to be cooled by the new cooler first, it will not be as effective.

expert reply by: Michael H