Has everyone fitted an external trans cooler on their FG?

Lovemyfalcon · 25-07-2023, 01:54 PM

If you haven't, have you been lucky enough to avoid the dreaded milkshake? If so, how many kms have you done?

If you have installed an external trans cooler have you had any issues because of it?

rare ss · 25-07-2023, 03:50 PM

I've never had an issue with the std heat exchanger (touch wood) I change it out after 80,000kms (service the trans and coolant at the same time)

Tonz · 25-07-2023, 09:35 PM

my old BF11 Gas did 300K before being t boned no oil cooler never missed a beat.
Current FG11 Gas 240K as above,

If someone felt enthusiastic enough it would be interesting to do a questionre on this, does gas motor have anything to do with it? I cannot work out how?

**Jastel** · 26-07-2023, 12:02 AM

No - I've had gas and petrol cars do it.

ALL 5/6 speed coolers are external...I assume you mean an air cooler not using water to avoid the milkshake. The old 4 speed internal radiator coolers failed as well though.

I've had them last from 5000kms to 500000kms.
I wouldnt recommend letting them get that high kms but I was waiting for the box to die and it just didnt...

There seems to be no genuine ones left anymore...just ebay cheap ones so I suggest you replace it more often until we find out if they are any good.

JC · 26-07-2023, 12:18 PM

We have fitted the PWR 280 x 255 x 19mm trans cooler with 3/8” barb connectors to 4 of our ZF cars with no issues at all. FG G6ET, FG GTE 335, BF2 Ghia, SY AWD turbo territory. 2 of them have trans temp gauges fitted and they sit around 55 degrees C or less when cruising, and the GTE has maxed at 80 degrees going slow in summer. (Normal max temp for them with stock water cooler would be same as engine operating temp with is in the 90 degrees range. Heat is the biggest killer of auto boxes, so the “cooler” (relative term - 55 degrees is still hot and would burn your skin) you can run them, the longer they last.

You will need the PWR cooler at around $180, 3m of 3/8 trans cooler hose ($30 - $50) and ZF specific barb or AN to barb fittings (Aeroflow do some) around $80 for 2.

You can then remove the lines from the stock block mounted cooler on the barras, and join the hoses with a section of suitable hose (13mm I think). We left the block mounted cooler on the territory and just cut the plastic line to it - will fit some 13mm hose to the cut ends at some stage just to make it look neat.

Seasoned One · 27-07-2023, 02:23 PM

I fitted one a few years ago, would never know the difference if no one told you. Runs and changes the same (sometimes I think I notice the changes more when cold, but could be me)

I feel a little better , whether rightly or wrong, that the dreaded milkshake can't happen now.

TICKFORD220 · 27-07-2023, 03:24 PM

I had a pwr heat exchanger on my fg turbo when i got it.
I fitted a pwr air to oil cooler on my 6 speed auto bf and it took longer to get up to temp and the shifts were harsher when cold,just my experience,plenty say they noticed no difference.
I actually had a genuine heat exchanger to fit to my turbo before i even got the car but never needed it,even though the pwr heat exchanger still runs coolant through it,seems to also take longer than factory setup to get the trans temp up causing more noticeable shifts,perfect when warm.
If the factory cooler lines and fittings came with my car i would have removed the pwr heat exchanger and went back to factory spec.
Tbh id recommend replacing the factory heat exchanger if available or something similar.
Totally just my personal experience,not agreeing or disagreeing with anybody.

jpd80 · 29-07-2023, 01:26 PM

If I remember correctly, the original issue with fitting a cooler wasn’t gearbox heat but to
prevent coolant leaking into the oil and causing the awful sludge that can destroy a gearbox.

Not sure if this was cured on F series Falcons but was a failing on E and B series…4-speed.
Probably a good move on the 5R gearbox…..

sorry to repeat, just read Jastel’s post above….

Sprintey · 29-07-2023, 01:48 PM

Just had one fitted with new transmission being done on SY.

Got to 330,000 with never a problem with original one, included towing and multiple trips over Oz.

383hq · 29-07-2023, 02:19 PM

Nope,
195,000 km

I'm off the opinion that on the internet, You only hear about the handful of failures, not the 30,000 without a problem.

Very few people start posts, with "hey, just thought I'd let you all know, that everything is boringly normal"

Cobra · 17-08-2023, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 383hq

Nope,
195,000 km

I'm off the opinion that on the internet, You only hear about the handful of failures, not the 30,000 without a problem.

Very few people start posts, with "hey, just thought I'd let you all know, that everything is boringly normal"

It's never a problem until it happens. It's not worth the risk. It's been a well known failure point for a very long time. BA Falcons failed, and so too did the BFs once they went the heat exhcnager route.

imaz · 10-12-2023, 11:16 AM

Was this ever an issue with the 5speef nag1 or just the zf6?

I'm at 210,000 and had a tranny service about a 2yrs back, no issues were raised.

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**mad2** · 10-12-2023, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imaz

Was this ever an issue with the 5speef nag1 or just the zf6?

I'm at 210,000 and had a tranny service about a 2yrs back, no issues were raised.

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it all comes down to the heat exchanger.

**Jastel** · 10-12-2023, 09:35 PM

Like Mad said its the Heat Exchanger that fails, then oil and water get mixed up and you are up for $$ for a 5 speed or $$$$ for a 6 speed.

Your car is pretty old if it is original...I would change it.

yanknbank · 10-12-2023, 09:57 PM

Changed out the OEM cooler around 7 to 8 years ago at around 180,000kms. Didn’t want to run the risk of a big repair bill (or replacement) for the ZF.

b0son · 11-12-2023, 08:08 AM

Got the kit in a box at home, was planning to put it on my daughter's FG XR6 over xmas, at the same time we replace the coolant/hoses on it.

Best mate milk-shaked his FG early on under warranty.

simon varley · 11-12-2023, 09:58 AM

there was a short period (can't remember exactly when) when the cost reduction guys got the to cooler The result was erosion of the inner plates causing oil and water to mix as previously stated. Early ones are fine and late ones are fine, but I have no idea of the break point. I'd probably replace as a matter of course.

No real need to go to an air/oil cooler as the performance of the water/oil cooler is fine, but some people think differently

the reputation carried on to PX Ranger that had a similar oil/water cooler but a new design from a new supplier. AFAIK no Ranger ever had this issue

imaz · 13-12-2023, 06:07 PM

Yeh mines a 2009 5spd, 210,000. Thinking what else to work on next, I know there is a tiny oil leak on the timing chain cover for the past 10yrs

, but does not lose oil between services.

This week just replaced the lower and upper control arms, radius arms, wheel bearings and stabiliser bushings - shocks absorbers last year, so handles like new again.

Think I'll keep it until EOL.

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