Automatic Radiator

[2bclutch]

I've got an aftermarket Radiator and it has the 2 ports on the bottom for the Automatic Cooler Lines. Since my car is a manual I won't be using these. I researched this and saw that the radiator would work on the car and I should block those ports off, but only to keep dirt and things from getting in there. My question is if they aren't blocked off in some way will coolant run out of these ports?

 

[VelocitàPaola]

Nope... the transmission cooler and engine cooler are two separate systems. As long as nothing goes in one of those ports, nothing will come out.

 

[2bclutch]

Nope... the transmission cooler and engine cooler are two separate systems. As long as nothing goes in one of those ports, nothing will come out.

Awesome that's what I was hoping. Thanks for the info.

 

[Defiant]

I'm not sure "manual" radiators are even available for DSMs. They sure don't seem to be in the aftermarket.

 

[blackbyrd]

I was under the impression that all automatics have a seperate radiator for there transmission oil/air cooler. Fluidyne and Koyo, don't have the second core.. Sounds to me like the radiator they're selling was built to specs for another car..

 

[2bclutch]

The radiator that was on the car when I bought wasn't even designed like an OEM radiator it had bumps all the way along the top instead of just the one in the middle. It did have the 2 tubes to hook up the automatic cooler stuff at the bottom and it didn't leak so I should be good.

 

[blackbyrd]

Yeah you should be good. I still wonder though with the AT lines running through it, wont it take out from the coolant surface exposure to air .. Who counts those small of numbers anyways, haha.

 

[Defiant]

The AT fluid cooler's surface area is trivial to the radiator. It only matters to the AT, when present.

 

[AWDPetmitsu]

I had to replace my radiator in my manual transmission, 1G GSX. I got the OEM one from a dealer. Apparently, they gave me one for an automatic transmission car with the two tranny fluid fittings on the bottom. I checked part numbers online for auto and manual radiators and they're both the same part number, so I'm guessing that both transmission types use the same radiator. The two tranny fluid fittings have rubber tube caps on them.

So my question is, can I use this auto tranny radiator in my manual tranny car?

and,

Just to confirm, coolant won't leak out of the fittings, right? The two caps are just coverings and are not water tight.

 

[steve]

Yes.

Those fittings should be for the trans oil cooler and shouldn't leak coolant. If it did would mix oil and water into the trans and that would be bad.

 

[blackbyrd]

When you said you checked the parts number, was this through CAPS? I always thought that they were both the same radiator, and automatics came with a separate fluid cooler. Did only some come with it for some reason?
And It's good to bolt up as steve said. Most aftermarket radiators have the A/T fittings. Although big ones like fluidyne don't..

 

[AWDPetmitsu]

I checked part numbers on the trademotion online catalog sites. I'll call the dealer later today to verify, as it was late yesterday. I don't have the part number on me now; everything is at my workplace. I'll have to check CAPS later, also.

 

[AWDPetmitsu]

Ok, I called the dealer and they said that they sent me the right one. There is only one radiator version available and it applies to both auto and manual transmissions. The part number is MB538506.

I also checked CAPS and for my VIN, it lists MB538507 and that it's superceded by MB538506. So apparently, they used to make a two versions but now they only make the automatic version.

 

[blackbyrd]

Ah, that helps clear things up.