Transmission Cooler Recommendation for a 2002 Chevy Tahoe

Updated 09/28/2015 | Published 09/27/2015

Question:

I have a 02 Tahoe 5.3 engine. I have 140,000 on the engine and tranny I think since Im the 2 owner. Maybe only 2nd. I have the Tahoe over a year and I love it. Planning on pulling a 18 ft camper about 3000+ lbs. I want to add another cooler for the tranny. As I understand It, now the rad cools the tranny and engine oil at the same time. On the Chevy 02 Tahoe. Right? Getting just another cooler would just do the same? Is that what would happen? Or would it only work for the tranny? Or should it be for both? What size cooler should I look at and to have my mechanic put in. Also I was thinking a cooler that had thermostat what do you think? I live in VT and we are leaving soon on a cross country trip. But we may end up back in VT during part of the winter or just the north east. I wonder if a cooler would thicken the engine by cooling it to much if it wasnt under a thermoset control. I also believe I have a transmission cooler that came with the Tahoe already.

asked by: Lenny

Helpful Expert Reply:

The radiator of your 2002 Chevy Tahoe with a 5.3 liter engine cools the transmission fluid and the coolant of the engine that runs through it. It does not directly cool the engine oil, but by running cool fluid through the water jackets of the engine it cools everything involving the engine down including the oil.

The transmission cooler part # D13503 would be a great choice for you and would cool the transmission fluid enough to prolong the life of the transmission. I attached an install video for this cooler as well.

Since the trailer you are towing is pretty light and you live in a cooler climate there's really no need for an engine oil cooler as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C