Just had the dealer put an aftermarket trans cooler on my truck while it was in the shop for some other work. Glad to have the cooler but not thrilled about the mounting method. Had to use the nylon/plastic retainer system with the cooler mounted up against the condenser.

Any thoughts on how this will work over the long haul? Will the heat from the trans cooler have any affect on the condenser's operation?

 

It will be okay.

Years ago, I put a transmission cooler on my 1986 Ford truck. I went to a salvage yard and bought one that came off a Ford truck. My truck had the mounting holes predrilled ready for the installation. It looked like a factory installation when I finished, except for the rubber hoses used to hook it up.

 

My two concerns are:

1. Will the set up that I have make the ac system have to work harder since the trans cooler is right up against the condenser and the heat will transfer from the cooler to the condenser?

2. Will there be any potential wear points on the cooler or condenser over time even with the spacer material between the two?

 

I think your AC is large enough that it will not be affected that much. Transmissions don't develop that much heat compared to ACs and engines. The trans coolers are always put in front of the condensers on every vehicle I have ever seen, whether it is a factory installation or aftermarket.

It may be a good idea to take a look at the material between the cooler and condenser once in a while. But, almost all aftermarket tranny coolers are mounted this way. I wouldn't worry about it. I had a cooler mounted this way on a Ford car for many years and it never caused any problems with the AC or wear on the condenser.