Bypassing the Factory Radiator Transmission Cooler 2008 Acura MDX

Updated 10/09/2017 | Published 10/08/2017

Products Featured in This Question

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

(886)

$112.40

Derale Fluid Control Thermostat Kit w/ 3/8" NPT Ports

(1)

$94.71

Derale Hyper-Cool Remote Transmission Cooler Kit w/ Fan, -6 AN Inlets - Class V

(12)

$490.16

Derale Premium In-Line Fan Control Thermostat with -6 AN Fittings - 180 Degrees

$69.06

Question:

Hi ETrailer! Since my vehicle is known for having the OE trans cooler leak internally, producing the dreaded strawberry milk shake. Im looking into bypassing it completely and installing this cooler instead D13503. I frequently use my vehicle in summer months for towing approx 3,500lbs, otherwise, it tackles typically daily driver duties, including in Ontario Canada winters. I have heard I do not need to be concerned about overcooling ATF? Would D13503 seem like the tool for the job?

asked by: Barry

Expert Reply:

The Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets part # D13503 is an excellent supplemental transmission cooler. However, I would not use this cooler as the sole source of cooling your 2008 Acura MDX's transmission fluid. This transmission cooler is designed for supplemental use meaning, it is more or less to aide the factory transmission cooler (radiator) not replace. This transmission cooler is really not capable of being responsible for the sole source of cooling the vehicle's transmission fluid, especially while towing.

Should you decided against using the radiator for transmission cooling purposes entirely, I recommend using a remote mounted transmission cooler like the Derale Hyper-Cool Remote Transmission Cooler Kit w/ Fan part # D13960. This cooler can be mounted anywhere on the vehicle and will be sufficient for acting as the sole source of cooling the vehicle's transmission fluid.

Since you will be more or less changing the way the factory intended the vehicle to cool transmission fluid, I am going to have a few additional recommendation for you to use as well. The first of which being an inline thermostat like the Derale In-Line Fan Control Thermostat part # D35020. This fan controller will automatically turn the transmission cooler fan included in the kit above on at 180 degrees and off at 165 degrees. This will eliminate the need to run a toggle switch for cooling fan activation.

The next item I recommend using as you live in an area with extreme temperatures is the Derale Fluid Control Thermostat Kit part # D13011. Although overcooling the fluid is not necessarily a concern, reaching operating temperature upon start-up is a concern. This Billet Style Cast Aluminum Fluid Control Thermostat allows the fluid to bypass the cooler until it reaches 180°F at which point the internal thermostatic valve will close and force 100% of the fluid through the cooler while maintaining a constant pressure system. This process allows the engine/transmission to achieve the ideal operating temperature quicker before passing the fluid through the cooler.