ATF Cooling Path

sfsvx · #1 04-02-2003, 08:57 AM

It looks like the path for the ATF on my SVX goes from the tranny to the radiator, then to the stock filter, then back to the tranny.

Seems backwards to me. Is this right?

kuoh · #2 04-02-2003, 09:24 AM

No, but that doesn't surprise me. Mine was hooked up by the dealer service department with the flow reversed at the filter. The whole point of the filter is to prevent clogging at the radiator cooler inlet. Having the filter behind the cooler diminishes its usefulness.

KuoH

ensteele · #3 04-02-2003, 09:28 AM

I have some pictures in my locker of a filter install. That might help you determine the proper flow direction. Good luck.

sfsvx · #4 04-02-2003, 10:21 AM

I checked out Earl's pix and the ATF does go to the filter first - the problem was that the filter was hooked up backwards (so the ATF goes in the "Out" and out the "In".

I assume backwards filtering is better than no filtering.

ensteele · #5 04-02-2003, 10:31 AM

I guess so.

I would replace it before fixing the flow direction. It would just flush the filter and put all of the junk back into the fluid. I am sure you know that already. I am glad that the pictures helped.

svx_commuter · #6 04-04-2003, 07:57 AM

My car had the inlet to the radiator backwards. The inlet to the radiator is on driver side.

lee · #7 04-04-2003, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sfsvx
I checked out Earl's pix and the ATF does go to the filter first - the problem was that the filter was hooked up backwards (so the ATF goes in the "Out" and out the "In".

I assume backwards filtering is better than no filtering.

Barely, that means the check valve would not work if the filter loaded up, and if I understand it, that was the whole point of the filter - to prevent load up of the radiator.

mbtoloczko · #8 04-07-2003, 12:56 PM

There are two closely spaced tubes coming from the tranny; which one is for outbound ATF flow? "Passenger" side or "driver" side?

sfsvx · #9 04-07-2003, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mbtoloczko
There are two closely spaced tubes coming from the tranny; which one is for outbound ATF flow? "Passenger" side or "driver" side?

Driver's side is "in", passenger's side is "out".

lee · #10 04-07-2003, 01:21 PM

Not so fast. I "think" it's the exact opposite. Somebody else needs to weigh in here. The service bulletin says to backflush the cooler by putting compressed air into the driver's side (left) which implies that is the "out".

mbtoloczko · #11 04-07-2003, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sfsvx

Driver's side is "in", passenger's side is "out".

I was talking about the tubes from the tranny and not the holes in the radiator. Is this what you were also talking about?

sfsvx · #12 04-07-2003, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sfsvx

Driver's side is "in", passenger's side is "out".

Oops. I had it just a little bit wrong. The flow goes out from the tranny, into the little hole on the passenger side of the radiator, 'round and 'round, and comes out the little hole on the driver's side.

I told you guys I was lysdexic.

mbtoloczko · #13 04-07-2003, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sfsvx

Oops. I had it just a little bit wrong. The flow goes out from the tranny, into the little hole on the passenger side of the radiator, 'round and 'round, and comes out the little hole on the driver's side.

I told you guys I was lysdexic.

ok, but what about the tubes? Which one is in, and which one is out? I'm asking because a few people have mentioned that the radiator outlets where not connected to the correct tubes, and maybe mine is setup like that too.

lee · #14 04-07-2003, 07:58 PM

only sure way I know is to find the tube that dumps into the pan (that's the return line) then trace it back to by the radiator.

svx_commuter · #15 04-08-2003, 06:10 AM

The AFT outlet from the radiator is on the passenger side. If it is connected backwrads the heat transfer is not as effecient and it will be hoter.

To get everything right, you have to see the pictures of the hoses and connections to the metal tubes. I can't scan from the SM right now. Maybe someone else can. The hose attachments at the front of the engine can be reversed, where it attaches to the metal tubes runing under the driver side head. You need to see the picture to get it right.

They can also get switched if the transmission has been removed. There are another set of rubber hoses and metal tube near the steering column that have to be disconnected to remove the trans.