How to Tell if a 2006 Ford Escape has a Factory Installed External Mounted Transmission Cooler
Question:
I just bought and had delivered from etrailer a hitch receiver, Prodigy P3 brake controller, wiring harness, etc for my 2006 Ford Escape XLT. It is the 3L V6 AWD variety. I am wanting to get the Escape up to the max tow rating of 3500 lbs. Of course after everything arrived I realized I totally forgot about the transmission oil cooler. I came across # D13503 and yanked off the front bumper of my Escape in order to get a look at the AC Condenser, brackets, etc to measure and make sure ordering this item would fit. That was when I got a little surprise as shown in the picture attached. I have not done much work on cars before, but based on that picture it appears you can see the A/C condenser in most of the space, but covered over a bit on the bottom. On the bottom of the pic below that cross bracket, there is what appears to me to be an installed transmission oil cooler. The width covers just about the entire width of the condenser and it is about 4 inches tall and 3/4-ish deep. On the right side of that item you can see two in/out lines. The one on top appears to be connected to the base of the radiator. I didnt have the Escape on a lift and had trouble following the other lower line, but I am guessing that went back to the transmission. Is what I am thinking appear to be the case to you? If so, I certainly did not install that and I bought the car a few years back used. Should I trust that cooler? Would I be better served to buy D13503, uninstall the existing aux trans cooler and replace it with D13503 plugging into the two lines already in place from the existing cooler? I guess that would be a pretty easy install since everything is already in place for an in series cooler arrangement. Unfortunately I do not have any temperature reading device in order to test if this existing item is really working well. I certainly dont mind spending the money to buy and install D13503 placing it where the existing item is. I guess I am just looking for a 2nd opinion if etrailer thinks it is worth me doing that or rather if I should just trust what is already there.
asked by: Mike M
Expert Reply:
It is possible that your 2006 Ford Escape has a factory externally mounted transmission cooler. But you usually only see that on larger SUVs and pickup trucks. A Ford dealer may be able to run the VIN and see if it is a model that came with an external cooler.
If you can jack up the Escape enough you can also follow the lines to see if they to go to and from the transmission. That would be a dead giveaway that it is a cooler. It could also be a power steering cooler but considering how large it is that seems unlikely.
If the cooler is not leaking and the fins are not damaged then it is likely just fine and you wouldn't need another cooler. Or you could add another cooler anyway, since transmission fluid cannot be overcooled, to be on the safe side. It is entirely up to you. But if it is a factory cooler, you would not want to replace it with a supplemental cooler.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class III - Efficient
- Transmission Coolers
- Plate-Fin Cooler
- Mid-Size Truck
- SUV
- Van
- Standard Mount
- 11W x 8-3/4T x 7/8D Inch
- With 11/32 Inch Hose Barb Inlets
- Derale
more information >
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on Transmission Coolers
