Towing without trans cooler?
I have a 2001 Yukon XL 2wd (1/2 ton). I'm having my hitch and brake controller installed Monday so I can pick up my TT on Tuesday. I'm pressed for time and not sure if I'll be able to install a transm...
Forum Discussion
Automatic torque converters has ATF sheared between vanes and also tosses
ATF fluid against vanes to move
Normally has a loss of around 10%-15% and is where torque multiplication
comes from
In shearing the fluid, it gets hot. Hot enough to burn itself and is
'one' reason ATF turns darker. Darker still and that burnt smell is
burnt ATF
The way the fluid charge is designed, that very high ATF temp from the
ATF coming off the vane's tips is muted by mixing in with the rest of
Scan gauges read the ATF temp *AFTER* it has been mixed with the ATF
in the flow
Today's automatics *ALL* have and in coolant radiator ATF cooler. This
picture is of mine (1996 GMT400 Suburban 7.4L). Looking down into the
hot tank and is the metal plates inside. The cold tank will have metal
tube lines that carry the ATF
Yours should have this setup, albeit smaller for a small block. If
you have the factory 'towing' option...in addition to the radiator
cooler, there should be an external plate type ATF cooler
This picture is of the two (in and out) ATF fittings that yours should
also have. The two on the left are ATF and the two on the right are
engine oil, in hot tank coolers.
Caution about towing without an external ATF cooler, even empty trailer
and on the flats...depends...
If the sail area is high, it will load up the engine making it work
harder
If you drive 'fast', that too will load up the drive train. As whatever
sail area will have to push through the air
Won't fail instantly, but stress the components, which is an additive
issue towards failure
Good luck!
ATF fluid against vanes to move
Normally has a loss of around 10%-15% and is where torque multiplication
comes from
In shearing the fluid, it gets hot. Hot enough to burn itself and is
'one' reason ATF turns darker. Darker still and that burnt smell is
burnt ATF
The way the fluid charge is designed, that very high ATF temp from the
ATF coming off the vane's tips is muted by mixing in with the rest of
Scan gauges read the ATF temp *AFTER* it has been mixed with the ATF
in the flow
Today's automatics *ALL* have and in coolant radiator ATF cooler. This
picture is of mine (1996 GMT400 Suburban 7.4L). Looking down into the
hot tank and is the metal plates inside. The cold tank will have metal
tube lines that carry the ATF
Yours should have this setup, albeit smaller for a small block. If
you have the factory 'towing' option...in addition to the radiator
cooler, there should be an external plate type ATF cooler
This picture is of the two (in and out) ATF fittings that yours should
also have. The two on the left are ATF and the two on the right are
engine oil, in hot tank coolers.
Caution about towing without an external ATF cooler, even empty trailer
and on the flats...depends...
If the sail area is high, it will load up the engine making it work
harder
If you drive 'fast', that too will load up the drive train. As whatever
sail area will have to push through the air
Won't fail instantly, but stress the components, which is an additive
issue towards failure
Good luck!
