yes i searched, but long story short; I need to know whether or not it is safe to run the transmission line that normally goes to radiator back into the transmission. Basically what I'm saying here is that the transmission fluid does NOT go to the radiator at all and it just gets routed back to the transmission.

I am doing this as a fix because the tip of the radiator to where it connects broke off.

Will my transmission overheat without the line going to the radiator?

Automatic transmission btw.

 

No big deal unless you have harsh driving conditions ahead of you.
TBH, I'm not sure how much that built in cooler really helps, but I'm sure it helps a little.

Temporary fix, I say ok.

 

yeah winter is up ahead so i should be fine hopefully.

 

That depends where you live... if you max will see 32 or less you should fix it. That is to heat the fluid when its too cold as well as cool when its hot.

 

tranny issues ahead if you jerry-rig the trans like that.

 

Mount an after market cooler ahead of the radiator.

 

The line carries the ATF to the radiator to be cooled. The ATF is hotter than the engine coolant, so it transfers the excess heat to the coolant.

As someone else suggested, get an after-market ATF cooler and mount it in front of the radiator.

On the other hand, a brand new radiator is only about 100 dollars. Look for the Koyo radiator in the group deals. The radiator you have might fail soon anyway.

You might be able to run the while with the by-pass, especially if you live in a cooler area.

You will fry your transmission eventually if you do not fix this. Transmissions cost a lot more than a new radiator. They are not fun to install.

 

Hmmmm... this almost sounds like experience speaking.

 

DennisMik,

In my youth (1972) I had a 1964 Dodge Dart. It liked to overheat. I was in high school. I had limited funds. I knew nobody that could work on cars. There was no internet. So no wonderful websites like this one.

The transmission was cooled through the radiator, just like our Maximas. The overheating cooked the fluid, it turned brownish black. Then the transmission died.

So in a way, I know that not cooling an automatic transmission properly is the kiss of death.

Rayrobot, do yourself and your budget a huge favor and buy a new radiator. Please do not be pennywise and dollar dumb.

 

If you dont have 100bucks for a new radiator buy a big cheap hayden tranny cooler..i bought the 403(pretty sure) thats the model number from rockauto...i think it was 25 bucks or so..throw one of them on..its better than nothing!!and buy the way i mounted mine after the fluid comes outta the radiator in between the radiator and the return to tranny, and i would bet my fluid is 65 to 80 degrees cooler than without the hayden(although thats an estimate of course)but ive heard of similar results with the 403 haydens!

 

Just a general question since we are talking about auto transmissions and coolers. Is it wise to buy the 403 hayden cooler in the fall and winter time as temps are a little cooler, with the risk of possibly over cooling the fluid? Basically is there a change running the added cooler in the cold or cool temps? To the op, salvage yard radiators will run you about $50 or if you find someone selling their car for parts you.prob can get One for Less than that, I got One for my 3rd gen máx for about $20 from a guy selling his car for parts