Atf Cooling Unit

Thunderchild · June 19, 2012

So there I am driving through Edinburgh to pick up my son and head off to Silverstone for MotoGP last week when the old girl gives a wee shudder and then loses all drive. I'm at a bit of a loss for some time but recon it must be either the torque convertor or a major electrical problem. Call out the AA and while I'm waiting decide to start investigating. Finally find the ATF dipstick hidden in the depths of the engine and haul it out to find that it's dry!! Look round the back of the car and sure enough there is a trail of fluid leading up to where I've stopped. At this stage I'm thinking thousands in repair costs. Phone the lad to tell him what has gone on and that I might be a bit late!!

AA man arrives and soon finds the problem - the connector on the RHS (as you look down on it) of the ATF cooler has come off. He tries to put it back but no chance, it's flapping about in the hole. Eventually get relayed back to home, borrow another car and head off to Silverstone.

Get back home after a brilliant time down there and decide I'd better look at what has gone wrong. Turns out that it has basically popped out of the cooler inlet and has stripped the threads. Out comes the Chemical Metal (google it) and 20 minutes later a repair has been effected. The connector is now solidly attached to the cooler and the hose is back on. Now to fill the gearbox... 6 litres of ATF fluid later and the level is back where it should be and the repair appears to be holding well. So far so good now to take the family to a wedding in Ayrshire some 75 miles away, that should be a good test for it. And indeed it was. There and back with no problems but I think I need to start looking for a replacement cooler - just in case!! So if any of you guys out there have one and are willing to sell it, please let me know.

BTW 5 litres of T-IV fluid from Lexus £61.70 - bargain and cheaper than the local Motor Factors.

Tc