Measuring Temperature of Transmission Fluid After Installing Aftermarket Cooler on 2011 Silverado

Updated 06/01/2016 | Published 05/30/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class III - Efficient

(867)

$112.40

Derale Temperature Gauge Kit for Transmission or Engine Oil

(13)

$83.55

Derale 19-Row Stacked-Plate Transmission Cooler Kit, -6 AN Inlets - Class V

(6)

$269.47

Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class IV - Efficient

(867)

$120.43

Question:

I purchased this cooler for my 2011 Chevy Silverado. Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class III - Efficient I was monitoring the transmission oil temperature with the factory gauge while towing my travel trailer, approximately 10,000 pounds or less prior to installing the oil cooler. It would climb to about 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit maximum. Without the trailer it would average about 170-175 F. When reading about this, most people recommended keeping the temp in the lower range and cautioned the 200+ range. So I bought the oil cooler. I installed the cooler and took the trailer on a test drive. There was absolutely no change in the temperature reading. It still climbed to the 200 F range. I followed the install instructions and there were no leaks. The outside temperature was a little hotter after the install, but not by much. Was hoping to get more cooling out of this unit. Should I have purchased a larger cooler or is there something Im missing? Thanks for your help!

asked by: Christopher L

Expert Reply:

I spoke with my contact at Derale about the lack of change in temperature you noticed on your 2011 Chevrolet Silverado. He confirmed that the factory transmission temperature sensor is located inside the transmission, where the fluid is the hottest. He said the effects of the aftermarket transmission cooler are not typically seen with the factory sensor, since the fluid quickly heats back up once inside the transmission. My contact at Derale also said that it is common to not notice a temperature difference with the factory sensor after installing an aftermarket cooler.

The Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler, Class III # D13503 that you installed on your Silverado works to further cool the fluid before it enters the transmission, which means it will take a bit longer for the fluid to heat up inside the transmission. To be able to see how the # D13503 cooler is affecting your transmission fluid temperature, the fluid's temperature would need to be measured inside the transmission fluid pan using a gauge like the Derale Temperature Gauge Kit # D13009. By using this temperature gauge, the fluid temperature is measured in-line with the cooler. With this gauge and the factory gauge, you will be able to see the difference in the fluid temperature as it leaves the transmission and before it re-enters the transmission. The installation instructions for this gauge kit are linked for you.

If after monitoring the temperature in the pan you still feel like the cooler isn't providing enough of a cool down to the fluid, a larger cooler is a way to provide greater transmission fluid cooling. The larger the cooler, the longer the fluid stays in the cooler to continue to lower the fluid's temperature. A larger cooler that will work for your Silverado is the Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler, Class IV # D13504. This cooler is the same width, but a couple of inches taller than the # D13503 cooler you have installed.

Another option would be to use a more efficient cooler, like the Derale 19-Row Stacked-Plate Transmission Cooler Kit # D13403. A stacked-plate cooler will offer the best performance out of an aftermarket transmission cooler.