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        General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> Autobox oil cooler for towing?
        
(Message started by: wudz on Mar 18^th, 2005, 7:40pm)

Title: Autobox oil cooler for towing?
Post by wudz on Mar 18^th, 2005, 7:40pm

Just purchased a 2ltr Auto 96 estate, 87000 mls and being an avid moving road block (caravanner, towing a max of 1000kg) can anybody tell me if a extra cooler is required or is there provision to sqeeze another fan over the autobox cooler radiator as I did on my old car, water radiator (not a Scorpio).

Just another thought, having never towed with an auto, any hints and tips to keep the strain off the box would be appreciated..

The more I read about these boxes it has got me worried. I have only done a couple of hundred miles in her so not really sure if all is well, but in those miles all seemed very smooth. I had a quick look at the box oil and seemed slightly brown, but no bad smells.

If you think I should have an oil and filter change any recommendation of a good auto engineer in the Accrington area would be appreciated.

John,,,, proud owner up to now...

Title: Re: Autobox oil cooler for towing?
Post by Badboytunes on Mar 18^th, 2005, 9:55pm

if the oil is not red then i would rcommend an oil and filter change.........

Cheers Nick

Title: Re: Autobox oil cooler for towing?
Post by wudz on Mar 18^th, 2005, 10:02pm

Thanks Nick
I think that confirms my own thoughts better to keep the box sweet now rather then let potential problems build up..
I have yet to see if the O/D works as it should and all other changes occur as the should now that this excellent site as made me aware of what to look for..

regards

John

Title: Re: Autobox oil cooler for towing?
Post by Snoopy on Mar 18^th, 2005, 11:01pm

Try here for an auto specilaist in your area

http://www.fedauto.co.uk/

Title: Re: Autobox oil cooler for towing?
Post by SaveTheNight on Mar 18^th, 2005, 11:12pm

I have come across a few weird happenings with this ... more on the older Granada ..but occasionally on the Scorpio ..the front gearbox < pump > seal leaks under load when towing which would almost certainly indicate a poor seal or certainly some damage ..but the same cars have never leaked under normal conditions ..and don't even leak again afterwards ..strange ..hmm
so.. although I have never worked out why really ..perhaps it's more to do with the heat and pressure of the fluid than the poor seal ..so I think you're right and any measures you take to improve cooling will prove worth the effort ...... regards ..STN

Title: Re: Autobox oil cooler for towing?
Post by wudz on Mar 19^th, 2005, 7:53am

Ok about the pump seal. Now that the weather has got warmer I think my head will be under the bonnet most of today seeing where all the bits and pieces lie.
I was hopeing things had moved on with regards to autoboxes has I seem to rember most of these comments were relevent when I was thinking of buying a auto Rover SD1 back in 1982 for towing....
Commited now, I am putting the towbar on this Sunday.

STN, if you have towed with an auto have you any do,s and don,t,s using the box....

Cheers

John

Title: Re: Autobox oil cooler for towing?
Post by martin_rowe on Mar 19^th, 2005, 8:42am

as STN mentioned, I too have come accross the front seal leaking on the auto box, particularly when towing, best cure I have come accross is fitting extra cooler, try contacting local radiator / heat exchanger companies close to you or Kenlow, ther produce an auto box cooler kit for diy fitting, very good and it works.
also try towing in sport mode, better performance and engine braking.
Martin

Title: Re: Autobox oil cooler for towing?
Post by wudz on Mar 19^th, 2005, 8:55am

Thanks Martin,
It seems that a cooler is require if only for peace of mind. last thing you want when going on holiday is worrying if all is well with the gearbox.
the good thing about the car is that it has never towed so should only have normal wear and tear..hopefully..
Ok about the Sports mode, does this hold it in each gear longer, if so that would make sense for towing.

Cheers
John

Title: Re: Autobox oil cooler for towing?
Post by SaveTheNight on Mar 19^th, 2005, 9:02pm

worth a peep here John

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?

..perhaps PM Snoops ..and he will send you the TSB ...plenty of companies will make you one much cheaper of course .. try Radtec and speak to Paul for a price ..... STN

Title: Re: Autobox oil cooler for towing?
Post by wudz on Mar 19^th, 2005, 10:09pm

Hi all,
Well I am not adverse to a bit of Heath Robinson because of cost. I have been down to the locall scrappy for a cooler rad that might fit low down at the front. They have one that might fit but is under a couple of cars, but if ok will be cobbled to fit somewhere after my mate pressure test it...I will keep you posted,, hopefully will cost about £20.00 fitted.
I must be a bit paranoid,,,sorry a lot paranoid as I would love to fit a fan on it as well...might think differently after a good nights sleep....could be two fan.s..Hi
I attempted to fit the tow bar this morning...disaster broke three torky things trying to loosen the bolts...ringing the garage Monday for then to loosen them...WHY NOT USE NORMAL HEXAGEN BOLTS there must be a reason that my amateur mechs does not know....please will someone enlighten me..

Cheers

John

Title: Re: Autobox oil cooler for towing?
Post by mikedamitch on Mar 20^th, 2005, 12:29am

Hi All

I have just read this topic and can give you some info.

Last week I crashed my 98 TD Auto N/S front and broke an auto cooling box. 10 lts oil spurting out onto the road.It is fitted just under the bumper. I have been trying for days to find out why I have this rad and no one else seems to have it fitted to their cars. I now know its an extra box. Don't know why mine has it though as it has never had a tow bar fitted.

I have been trying to get a second hand one with no luck yet, but my garage ordered one from Ford without telling me £168.00 + vat and if I cancel it Ford want to charge a 15% handleing fee for cancelation. The FINIS is 6179247 and the TSB is 66/94 - thats from Snoopy.

I am going to contact someone local from the fedauto site and see if I can get one cheeper there.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Mike

Title: Re: Autobox oil cooler for towing?
Post by wudz on Mar 20^th, 2005, 8:37am

Hi Mike,
Sorry to hear your prolem. I hate keep always seeing three digits before the decimal point for these auto bits and pieces could buy a few complete clutches if I had gone down the manual route....
I suppose if you are not towing you could omit the extra cooler, just have a good oil anf filter change, in fact you will already have had to replace your oil...just a thought..
Please do keep me posted if you get a good result, I may have to go down the same path if my arrangement does not come off..

Just a matter of interest my local car spares shop supplies Dexrion TQF is this OK for the Autobox and Steering rack...

Regards

John

Title: Re: Autobox oil cooler for towing?
Post by David_South_West on Mar 20^th, 2005, 10:31am

I had a problem with my 92 scorpio.Blew front oil seal while towing.It seems the older boxes did overheat and resulted in the seal blowing.The seal is the one behind the torque converter,cost about £1 for parts but box has to come out.Remember reading about a water additive that can be purchased from some caravan dealers that improves the cooling efficiency of the water in the radiator thus keeping the gearbox fluid cooler.Managed to find a second hand oil cooler for the old Granny .I haven't heard of so many problems with the Scorpio 95+ ..so may not be so much of a problem.The main problem was the speed at while towing was usualy about the speed that it wanted to go into 4th gear.

Title: Re: Autobox oil cooler for towing?
Post by mikedamitch on Mar 24^th, 2005, 10:07pm

Hi

Did not find a new rad so the garage have by passed the old one. got to say with one less fan going the car does seem quieter.

Mike