2002 Lesabre limited- trans cooler return line at trans location

[2000ltd]

I'm thinking right in front between the grill and condenser

 

[2000ltd]

where about you want to puyt the cooler you think do you have one ?

I don't have a cooler, I had one ordered but when I looked under the car I couldn't see a way to install it. Now looking from above I think I can reach down and cut the hose circled below, whichever is the return hose, and get 2 90° 3/8 barbed fittings as shown in the 2nd pic. 1 each to go to each section of cut hose and run 3/8" trans cooler hose up to the grill area where I can install the cooler.

 

[2000ltd]

where about you want to puyt the cooler you think do you have one ?

I just bought these on Amazon. I got the cooler for $38 used on Amazon and the fittings were $7 with clamps

 

[2000ltd]

I'm assuming that the rubber section of transmission cooler line that I'm going to cut is 3/8" id am I correct @BuickGirlFromMars ?

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

I'm assuming that the rubber section of transmission cooler line that I'm going to cut is 3/8" id am I correct @BuickGirlFromMars ?

Hey I forgot to get back and look at your pics. Still need my overview? And the trans cooler line is most likely 3/8 yes , maybe 5/16 but you should be able to find it printed on the original lines, one could use a flare tool clamp around the pipe portion to size it too. (Pipe is OD, hose is ID)
There are 2-3 SAE ratings for trans cooler lines, but I believe one of them deals with higher temps better. Do you want me to dig into the best spec hose to find

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

Cooler looks good, but you should not use a 90 degree fitting like that. You need 90 degree radius (or softer turn if necessary).

Fluid dynamics and hydraulics especially, if you could avoid a sharp 90 you should esp as it relates to flow through the cooler

Are your fittings to turn the hose directions by the radiator area to go up to the cooler?

I just bought these on Amazon. I got the cooler for $38 used on Amazon and the fittings were $7 with clamps

 

[2000ltd]

Cooler looks good, but you should not use a 90 degree fitting like that. You need 90 degree radius (or softer turn if necessary).

Fluid dynamics and hydraulics especially, if you could avoid a sharp 90 you should esp as it relates to flow through the cooler

Are your fittings to turn the hose directions by the radiator area to go up to the cooler?

Yes that's what I was going to do. Cut the hose near the radiator right before it turns into metal line and put the 90° on each side of the cut. Splice into that for the cooler. Btw I bought this hose on Amazon Amazon.com: Mandark Car Fuel Line, 6AN 10FT Vehicle CPE Fuel Hose for 3/8" Tube Size, Nylon Braided Automotive Transmission Oil Cooler Lines Accessories, Universal for SUV, Sedan, Truck : Automotive

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

Yes that's what I was going to do. Cut the hose near the radiator right before it turns into metal line and put the 90° on each side of the cut. Splice into that for the cooler. Btw I bought this hose on Amazon Amazon.com: Mandark Car Fuel Line, 6AN 10FT Vehicle CPE Fuel Hose for 3/8" Tube Size, Nylon Braided Automotive Transmission Oil Cooler Lines Accessories, Universal for SUV, Sedan, Truck : Automotive

i dont like the look of that. you gonna secure some 90 degree bend fittings?

 

[2000ltd]

i dont like the look of that. you gonna secure some 90 degree bend fittings?

It was my plan anyways. There isn't much room to make a bend to the cooler without the 90° fittings. I hope it doesn't cause any pressure drop.

 

[ulycyc]

That hose you listed is cpe rated and max operating temps are 150 deg. You are better off with ptfe rated hose that will handle fluid levels above 200deg like what a transmission runs. If it was me I would use hard lines and from the transmission and then maybe 1ft of braded line to make the bends near the cooler. Also dont use any plumbing fittings that Home Depot sells. to make adapters. .

 

[2000ltd]

That hose you listed is cpe rated and max operating temps are 150 deg. You are better off with ptfe rated hose that will handle fluid levels above 200deg like what a transmission runs. If it was me I would use hard lines and from the transmission and then maybe 1ft of braded line to make the bends near the cooler. Also dont use any plumbing fittings that Home Depot sells. to make adapters. .

I didn't realize this hose max temp was 150° I'll have to get better hose.

 

[2000ltd]

I didn't realize this hose max temp was 150° I'll have to get better hose.

I found out that they misprinted the website where it says -40 to 150 F it's supposed to be Celsius

 

[ulycyc]

Then you should be OK. But even at 300 deg F. you are close to it's limit. Transmission fluid can get to 270deg and higher under load. Still long runs of hose can be problematic

 

[2000ltd]

Then you should be OK. But even at 300 deg F. you are close to it's limit. Transmission fluid can get to 270deg and higher under load. Still long runs of hose can be problematic

I think I may have a shop install it. Hopefully I can find one that will let me supply the parts and they do the labor

 

[2000ltd]

Then you should be OK. But even at 300 deg F. you are close to it's limit. Transmission fluid can get to 270deg and higher under load. Still long runs of hose can be problematic

I wonder what type of hose the OEM hose is?

 

[ulycyc]

OEM is a combination line of steel and high pressure reinforced rubber. Same as power steering pressure lines. You need a special crimp tool to make those lines. Not to bust your bubble but why do you really need a auxiliary cooler. Are you racing, towing, mountain climbing? Fluid too cold can do as much damage as too hot. As long as your on the operating range 150f-275f it's not needed. Normal driving even in 100f deg weather will keep you there.

 

[DrivenDaily]

I have an older imported SUV with 4WD and auto trans. I did some work and replaced the radiator. Instead of plumbing the trans cooler back into the bottom of the new rad, I bypassed it altogether and added an external cooler with its own fan.

The key to having it cool just the right amount was to include a DeRale thermostatic valve. It is that gray device on the left side of the image.

It allows 10% of the fluid to pass to the cooler at all times, and as the fluid heats up, it diverts more into the cooler. I added the temp switch to control the fan. As you can see, I placed the cooler out of the direct path to the rad and AC so they can do their jobs while the external cooler does its job. I have been 4-wheeling with it with no issues.

I suspect that it could be added to your car after the rad cooler to ensure that it always has the right amount of cooling. Optionally, you could make it a parallel installation instead of serial, thereby adding extra capacity without over-cooling.

View attachment 49521

In post #34 I showed where I installed a temp-sensitive valve between the aux cooler and the trans fluid. It prevents over-cooling, allowing you to install an extra cooler without any concern.

 

[2000ltd]

In post #34 I showed where I installed a temp-sensitive valve between the aux cooler and the trans fluid. It prevents over-cooling, allowing you to install an extra cooler without any concern.

Is this the one you used? Amazon.com: Derale 13011 Fluid Control Thermostat Kit,Silver : Automotive

 

[2000ltd]

Is this the one you used? Amazon.com: Derale 13011 Fluid Control Thermostat Kit,Silver : Automotive

I'd like to bring this and the cooler and hoses etc to a shop and have them install it I don't know exactly how to hook everything up properly. I've done aux cooler once before on a volvo s40 and wasn't too hard but there isn't much room to work with on this lesabre

 

[DrivenDaily]

Is this the one you used? Amazon.com: Derale 13011 Fluid Control Thermostat Kit,Silver : Automotive

I'd like to bring this and the cooler and hoses etc to a shop and have them install it I don't know exactly how to hook everything up properly. I've done aux cooler once before on a volvo s40 and wasn't too hard but there isn't much room to work with on this lesabre

Yes, that is the exact one.

Look on the housing and you'll see arrows indicating fluid flow direction. You can figure which is IN and OUT. Then it's just a matter of figuring out which line is being pumped to the cooler and which is the return line.