AC/ATF cooler question

greiswig · **Posted:** Fri Aug 29, 2014 11:57 am

I'm working on my cylinder head, and would like to clear up the leaky ATF fittings on that cooler while I'm at it. That cooler is just sitting there so VERY much in the way.

How difficult/expensive is it likely to be to recharge the AC if I just go ahead and disconnect it from the AC lines?

flman · **Posted:** Fri Aug 29, 2014 2:09 pm

If you have a vacuum pump and gauges it will not cost that much, if not you had better call a shop that can do it.

dgeist · **Posted:** Sat Aug 30, 2014 9:19 pm

Harbor Freight has a pro-style kit that will fill/evacuate the system. All you need is the refrigerant (which is actually pretty cheap), and the aforementioned pump. Also, I don't know how neurotic your area is, but technically, you're not supposed to open the refrigerant to air without using a "recapturing" system.

I have a leak at the cooler, too, but I don't know if it's the A/C or the ATF. One of the AC fill valves is ALSO leaking so without putting some more in there with UV dye, I don't know which system has the leak. If it's the AC, I'll replace the whole unit, but if it's the AT, I'll just put in an aftermarket cooler. The problem is that in order to fix the leaky valve, I almost have to expose it to atmosphere (no loaner AC valve stem tools to be found around here). I think the overall capacity of the AC is on the core support if you want to use that for your cost/benefit.

Dan

greiswig · **Posted:** Sun Aug 31, 2014 1:14 am

I decided to leave it sealed at this point: as a friend pointed out, the desiccant and such would likely need to be replaced, too. It works for now, so why mess with it.

For those of you doing aftermarket ATF coolers, though, I'm having a hard time picturing how it would work? There's already a sandwich of three coolers there; how would you add a fourth and keep the sandwich a uniform thickness?

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:58 am

For aux. tranny cooler options see http://liberty.eurekaboy.com/transcooler.htm and http://colorado4wheel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=45 and viewtopic.php?f=5&t=62013&p=686385&hilit=cooler#p686385 and viewtopic.php?f=5&t=69453&p=742547#p742547

gmctd · **Posted:** Mon Sep 01, 2014 4:28 pm

Solution: cut the ATF cooler off the a\c condenser, mount the new one in the now-available position.......................

greiswig · **Posted:** Mon Sep 01, 2014 8:07 pm

gmctd wrote:

Solution: cut the ATF cooler off the a\c condenser, mount the new one in the now-available position.......................

I thought about that, but it isn't clear where one cooler ends and the other cooler begins on that combination exchanger.

The fittings look like they thread in, so I am wondering about getting barb fittings and just bypassing the stupid leaky O-rings. I may try to disconnect them, but not today. Just got the head off, and I'm tired. Holy cow what a pain. Too much stuff to disconnect!

gmctd · **Posted:** Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:56 pm

It would behoove you to try new o'rings as first solution, now the head and associated peripherals is out of the way, eh...........................

greiswig · **Posted:** Tue Sep 02, 2014 12:23 am

gmctd wrote:

It would behoove you to try new o'rings as first solution, now the head and associated peripherals is out of the way, eh...........................

Shop that flushed the tranny tried twice. Why do you think I would fare better?

gmctd · **Posted:** Tue Sep 02, 2014 1:21 am

It's not their KJ..................

AC/ATF cooler question

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