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power steering cooler (food for thought)


ericbphoto

ericbphoto

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Looking for info and opinions. The new radiator I am installing is for a vehicle with auto transmission and has the Trans cooler in the tank. My truck is a 5 speed manual. So I don't need that and plan to cap it off. I have read that OEM Ranger power steering pumps are sensitive to fluid level and temperature and that power steering coolers are a good idea. I am now running 35" tires, which probably puts even more load on the power steering. So my questions are;

Would it be a good idea to use this transmission cooler in the radiator as a power steering cooler? I already paid for it.

How hot does the steering fluid get compared to the radiator?

Would that actually cool the steering fluid or make it hotter?

When the t-stat is closed, there wouldn't be any flow to take the heat away from the oil cooler, right? It would just depend on radiant cooling due to whatever air flow occurs around the radiator. (electric fan controlled by coolant temperature sensor in lower radiator hose, by the way.)

Inquiring minds want to know.
 


RonD

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It wouldn't hurt any thing
power steering fluid runs around 150-250degF so could be passed thru rad cooler with out any problem

Lower rad, when t-stat is open, should run around 180degF

To me it just reads like ANOTHER place to spring a leak, lol :)


Yes, after a vehicle is 10 to 15 years old there will only be automatic style radiators available since they work for either manual or automatic, so manufacturers just make the one style
The coolant area is the same on either style, so one is not "better" than the other
 
adsm08

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I looked into doing just this, but decided against it because the top of the trans cooler tank on my radiator is above the level of my PS pump, and so if I did it I would either have a pertetual bubble at the top, or the fluid is going to over flow from the PS reservoir.
 
ericbphoto

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Ford Ranger
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3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
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Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
I didn't think about the height of the cooler being an issue. Thanks.

I did consider "more points of failure" but feel that is negligible with regular inspections and maintenance.

Thanks, Ron for the ballpark numbers. It seems like a separate air-cooled oil cooler might be more effective if I ever decide I really want or need a steering cooler, as long as it doesn't get packed with mud on the trail.[emoji848]

Eric B
 
adsm08

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ericbphoto said:
It seems like a separate air-cooled oil cooler might be more effective if I ever decide I really want or need a steering cooler, as long as it doesn't get packed with mud on the trail.[emoji848]

Eric B
Click to expand...
Most OEM power steering coolers are air cooled. In fact, quite a few of them have no fins, or the finned section is very short, and they are basically just a 3/8 inch line looped around the engine bay. A lot of FWD cars with the PS pump mounted on the passenger side just have the return line come out of the rack, run around the inside of the of the sub frame, up the one side, across the front, down the other side, then back to the res.
 
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