Does My 1996 PathFinder XE Has Transmission Old Cooler?

JayChan · Oct 5th, 2005, 09:20 PM

I bought a used 1996 PathFinder XE many years ago. It "seems" to have a transmission oil cooler. But I am not sure. I would like someone to confirm this.

I would like to use the PathFinder to tow a boat (around 2700-lb). I am under the impression that my PathFinder doesn't have any factory installed towing package because it doesn't have any towing hitch or wiring for trailer. I have already had the dealer to install towing hitch and wiring. But the dealer don't do transmission oil cooler. Therefore, I asked a transmission shop to look at the PathFinder and gave me a quote. To my surprise, the transmission mechanic told me that my PathFinder already has a transmission oil cooler. Now, I am a bit confused.

Do I really have a transmission oil cooler? The "transmission oil cooler" is mounted in front of the lower left corner of the radiator. It is around 12"x4" with two hoses connecting to it, and those two hoses are connecting to somewhere under the engine. It looks like a small radiator. It has this marking:
Calsonic
61 3
Made in Japan
PAT APP 48-86457
I have tried to contact Calsonic to see if they can identify their product. But I kept getting errors when I tried to send them an email.

If it is really a transmission oil cooler, I would like to know if it is good enough for towing a boat. Do I need something called an "auxiliary cooler" mentioned somewhere in some past posts?

Thanks in advance for any info.

Jay Chan

Animal · Oct 5th, 2005, 11:00 PM

All automatic transmissions (at least all that I am aware of) have transmission coolers. Factory coolers are built in to the bottom of the engine coolant radiator. These are normally adequate (except as expressed elsewhere in this forum) for normal driving. For towing, you may be wise to get an aftermarket cooler. I'm not certain if all model years are the same, but at least on some years it is advisable to disconnect the lines to the factory cooler and run them straight to the aftermarket one.

no1see2me · Oct 5th, 2005, 11:12 PM

That is correct, mine has the same one installed. The line goes from the transmission to the cooler in the front, then down to the bottom of the radiator then from the radiator back to the transmission.

deathtorice · Oct 5th, 2005, 11:15 PM

It's a Nissan man...not a POS Ford, GM, or Chrysler. Unlike the big 3, quality is still top priority at Nissan. That small radiator is your trans cooler.

lewisnc100 · Oct 6th, 2005, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no1see2me

The line goes from the transmission to the cooler in the front, then down to the bottom of the radiator then from the radiator back to the transmission.

The factory setup goes from tranny, to radiator, to small air cooler, back to tranny.

JayChan · Oct 6th, 2005, 07:45 AM

Seem like the one that I have is indeed a transmission oil cooler. This is good. Before I own this PathFinder, it used to be in Texas that is a lot warmer than in where I live (northern New Jersey). That may have explained the reason why the ex-owner had a transmission oil cooler installed but without towing hitch.

Now, the question is whether this small cooler (12"x5") is good enough for a PathFinder that I will use to tow a boat that is around 2700-lb for 40 miles once a week. If it will do the job, I would rather to leave good enough alone. If it will not do the job, I am wondering how big a cooler that I should use to replace the small cooler, and any specific model that people recommend.

Thanks in advance for any following up info.

Jay Chan

deathtorice · Oct 6th, 2005, 06:51 PM

That size cooler should be fine for a trailor that light.

JayChan · Oct 7th, 2005, 09:21 AM

Thanks for telling me that the small 12"x5" transmission oil cooler is good enough for towing a 2700-lb boat. This is good.

By the way. Where can I find a list of transmission oil cooler size and the towing capacity that the cooler can support? Just in case the boat that I bought is actually heavier than I think, I will look it up to make sure I will not hurt the transmission when I drive the boat back home.

Jay Chan

lewisnc100 · Oct 7th, 2005, 09:28 AM

Keep in mind that you have two coolers for your ATF, one in the radiator and the additional cooler that you are talking about. The combination of the two give the Pathfinder with an auto tranny a 5,000lb towing capacity.

deathtorice · Oct 8th, 2005, 01:29 PM

^ what he said. But you can never have too much cooling capacity. If you are still worried you can buy a big ass cooler from somewhere like summit racing or jegs...of auto zone maybe.

smassey321 · Oct 8th, 2005, 06:32 PM

I think 96 was the only year the factory put the aux trans cooler in front of the radiator. I was looking for some pictures to see if the parts could be added to a later model. There is plenty of room on my 01 to mount the cooler. There is just no great way to get the lines up front (without drilling). Seeing how the factory plumbed the lines would give me confidence in my drilling

JayChan · Oct 10th, 2005, 11:19 AM

The dealership confirmed what most people here had told me. They identified the device as a factory-installed transmission oil cooler and it should allow the PathFinder to tow 5000-lb. In other words, I am all set.

Thanks for all the replies; they set me at ease with a comforting thought that my car has enough transmission oil cooling to deal with towing a boat.

Jay Chan

lewisnc100 · Oct 10th, 2005, 11:42 AM

The transmission coolers came on many 96-98 Pathfinders, not sure about after 98. I've got the same setup on my 97 and have towed a boat for years without trouble.