Hi I have a jinny 2015 auto, and out on The trip last weekend with the club I found the aircon cutting off and on, hill climbs and 40 degrees didn't help.
After talking with dealer they confirmed it was an over heat switch turning it off. Sounds like the transmission oil is getting to hot, I'm thinking about fitting an pwr 11" by 11" oil cooler kit and doing a trans oil service and change. Cars done 26,000k
Do you guys think this is a good idea to prolong the life of the auto ? Cost quoted for the lot $900. Do you guys think its worth the money?
Over heating transmission, Oil cooler? jinny auto 2015
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Ashley Balfour
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gwagensteve
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Re: Over heating transmission, Oil cooler? jinny auto 2015
The very short version - YES. 100% yes. But this is a complex issue.
Please don't be alarmed, but
There is much debate about whether to retain the stock in-radiator cooler when you add an additional liquid to air cooler. I wouldn't, others would. Regardless of your decision in that regard.... definitely get an auto trans temperature gauge fitted. There is no point having a cooler and trusting it to be enough - you need to be monitoring temperature. In fact in my car the only aftermarket gauge I have is a transmission temperature gauge.
Anecdotally, I have heard that it's possible to monitor transmission temperature using a blutooth OBDII dongle and/or an android device, but this is unconfirmed. Additionally, you need to know where the factory is measuring its temperature vs the quoted "safe" temperatures for auto trans life. If the temp sensor is in the pan, you'd expect much lower temperatures than where we normally measure them, which is on the outlet barb to the trans cooler.
I believe Suzuki quote 70˚-90˚ for normal operating temperature for the Jimny auto. If that's measured with the factory sensor (and you can access that with a dongle) then there's a good guide.
There are some other factors though. I'm not familiar with your car, but looking at the photos from the Fryers Ranges trip, here are some other things to consider.
You have a lot of stuff blocking free airflow to the radiator. The winch, the design of the bumper you have, the plate closing out the area under the bumper, and even the driving lights will all reduce free air flow to the radiator and A/C condenser. Additionally, if you've already driven through any standing muddy water, you might be shocked at how much of your radiator and/or A/C condenser is already blocked.
I think you also have 215 75 15 tyres (Yes?) These are around 8% taller than standard. That's 8% more load on the automatic, which will increase heat generated through converter slip.
Driving style can contribute quite a lot. Leaving the car in D on steeper climbs will see the auto trying to shuffle into taller gears as terrain varies. Taller gears increase converter slip which adds heat. Keeping revs up will help, also, this increases engine cooling fan speed and therefore efficiency, and increases fluid flow though the auto.
Lastly, the elephant in the room - kerb weight. Jimny's don't have much payload, and the heavier the car gets the more load you're putting on the auto.
Whilst the fix might well be a separate cooler ( if you can work out where to put it and ensure it has air drawn through it via the engine fan) it's important to understand all the contributing factors.
The other elephant is the auto suzuki chose for the Jimny. It's a very small auto that was designed for the 660cc turbo JDM Jimny. Whilst the 660 car makes the same power and torque as the M13 engine, the 660 cars are MUCH lighter. The auto is right on the limit of its torque handling capacity in the Jimny. By comparison, the autos used in the vitara (trimatic and AW-4) are at under 50% of their torque handling capacity in those cars and therefore run much cooler in the same service. Theres not much you can do about that however.
Anyway, there's plenty for food for thought.
As to the pricing, $900 is a fair whack of money. the cooler kit is about a quarter of that, so I guess it's all bout the quality of the install and what is involved in the "service"
Steve.
Please don't be alarmed, but
There is much debate about whether to retain the stock in-radiator cooler when you add an additional liquid to air cooler. I wouldn't, others would. Regardless of your decision in that regard.... definitely get an auto trans temperature gauge fitted. There is no point having a cooler and trusting it to be enough - you need to be monitoring temperature. In fact in my car the only aftermarket gauge I have is a transmission temperature gauge.
Anecdotally, I have heard that it's possible to monitor transmission temperature using a blutooth OBDII dongle and/or an android device, but this is unconfirmed. Additionally, you need to know where the factory is measuring its temperature vs the quoted "safe" temperatures for auto trans life. If the temp sensor is in the pan, you'd expect much lower temperatures than where we normally measure them, which is on the outlet barb to the trans cooler.
I believe Suzuki quote 70˚-90˚ for normal operating temperature for the Jimny auto. If that's measured with the factory sensor (and you can access that with a dongle) then there's a good guide.
There are some other factors though. I'm not familiar with your car, but looking at the photos from the Fryers Ranges trip, here are some other things to consider.
You have a lot of stuff blocking free airflow to the radiator. The winch, the design of the bumper you have, the plate closing out the area under the bumper, and even the driving lights will all reduce free air flow to the radiator and A/C condenser. Additionally, if you've already driven through any standing muddy water, you might be shocked at how much of your radiator and/or A/C condenser is already blocked.
I think you also have 215 75 15 tyres (Yes?) These are around 8% taller than standard. That's 8% more load on the automatic, which will increase heat generated through converter slip.
Driving style can contribute quite a lot. Leaving the car in D on steeper climbs will see the auto trying to shuffle into taller gears as terrain varies. Taller gears increase converter slip which adds heat. Keeping revs up will help, also, this increases engine cooling fan speed and therefore efficiency, and increases fluid flow though the auto.
Lastly, the elephant in the room - kerb weight. Jimny's don't have much payload, and the heavier the car gets the more load you're putting on the auto.
Whilst the fix might well be a separate cooler ( if you can work out where to put it and ensure it has air drawn through it via the engine fan) it's important to understand all the contributing factors.
The other elephant is the auto suzuki chose for the Jimny. It's a very small auto that was designed for the 660cc turbo JDM Jimny. Whilst the 660 car makes the same power and torque as the M13 engine, the 660 cars are MUCH lighter. The auto is right on the limit of its torque handling capacity in the Jimny. By comparison, the autos used in the vitara (trimatic and AW-4) are at under 50% of their torque handling capacity in those cars and therefore run much cooler in the same service. Theres not much you can do about that however.
Anyway, there's plenty for food for thought.
As to the pricing, $900 is a fair whack of money. the cooler kit is about a quarter of that, so I guess it's all bout the quality of the install and what is involved in the "service"
Steve.
michaelpiranha2000 wrote: The rear is in great condition. but has a broken crown wheel and pinon
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Ashley Balfour
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Re: Over heating transmission, Oil cooler? jinny auto 2015
Hi Steve thanks for you feedback Wayne led a really fun and interesting trip on the weekend will defenetly be back, all good points about air flow, there is a lot of crap in front, I Did the track over Christmas beachport to robe on the Sand, absolutely gave the auto box a flogging any places I should be worried Sand got in to, or salt?
Also lots fun getting stuck in the mud up at lakes enterance, what do you think about high pressure hose on radiator and ac fan area? 215,75 r15s bfs good eye,
As for the service I'm not sure exactly but they are replacing all the fluid. Getting it done at wholesale Automatic transmissions, or unless you just can recomend anyone or want to make some cash?
With low range then going up hills should I just be selecting Correct gear and going with it rather then using the auto?
Also lots fun getting stuck in the mud up at lakes enterance, what do you think about high pressure hose on radiator and ac fan area? 215,75 r15s bfs good eye,
As for the service I'm not sure exactly but they are replacing all the fluid. Getting it done at wholesale Automatic transmissions, or unless you just can recomend anyone or want to make some cash?
With low range then going up hills should I just be selecting Correct gear and going with it rather then using the auto?
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gwagensteve
- Financial Member
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- Joined: Mon 13 Aug, 2007 5:20 pm
Re: Over heating transmission, Oil cooler? jinny auto 2015
Wholesale is a great workshop- probably the best in Melbourne. They'd happily fit a gauge for you.
Yes, broadly, I'd be choosing the gear for the job when climbing offroad. Aim for lower gears and lighter throttle openings to reduce slip. With a temp gauge you'll see the immediate effect of converter slip on trans temp. If I stall my auto up I can literally watch the temp gauge climb.
If you've had mud up around bumper height is reckon there will be mud blocking the bottom 20% of the radiator, even with the car clean. No, I don't recommend a high pressure washer on aluminium radiators or condensers. It's too easy to damage the fins. Best to use a low pressure/high volume and soak. Bumper off to gain access.
I hate deep mud and try to avoid it. The amount of maintenance it causes is crazy. I spent the weekend rebuilding rear brake calipers due to mud ingress.
Yes, broadly, I'd be choosing the gear for the job when climbing offroad. Aim for lower gears and lighter throttle openings to reduce slip. With a temp gauge you'll see the immediate effect of converter slip on trans temp. If I stall my auto up I can literally watch the temp gauge climb.
If you've had mud up around bumper height is reckon there will be mud blocking the bottom 20% of the radiator, even with the car clean. No, I don't recommend a high pressure washer on aluminium radiators or condensers. It's too easy to damage the fins. Best to use a low pressure/high volume and soak. Bumper off to gain access.
I hate deep mud and try to avoid it. The amount of maintenance it causes is crazy. I spent the weekend rebuilding rear brake calipers due to mud ingress.
michaelpiranha2000 wrote: The rear is in great condition. but has a broken crown wheel and pinon
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jonfromhamilton
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Re: Over heating transmission, Oil cooler? jinny auto 2015
Steve where do you get your caliper rebuild kits and how much docthey cost? I have to do a sierra front set in the near future
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gwagensteve
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Re: Over heating transmission, Oil cooler? jinny auto 2015
I'm too tight/disorganised to buy new kits. I just cannibalise my stock of spare calipers for the bits I need.
Fully aware the rebuilds would last longer with fresh seals etc but still..
Steve.
Fully aware the rebuilds would last longer with fresh seals etc but still..
Steve.
michaelpiranha2000 wrote: The rear is in great condition. but has a broken crown wheel and pinon
Re: Over heating transmission, Oil cooler? jinny auto 2015
Ashley
I would be
a) getting the transmission oil changed,
b) fitting a temperature gauge,
c) checking that there is no mud blocking the cooler and
d) selecting 1st gear or 2nd when climbing hills.
Then with the benefit of the temperature gauge work out if you need an extra cooler or not. As Steve says you really need to monitor the temperature offroad and you can then modify the driving to cool it down. My mate with a land-cruiser had a gauge fitted and was shocked at how much cooler it ran when he selected a gear rather than leaving it in drive.
If the auto is still shifting OK then don't get too stressed about having done any damage.
I drove my auto Disco over the Simpson in manual mode for that reason.
Mike
I would be
a) getting the transmission oil changed,
b) fitting a temperature gauge,
c) checking that there is no mud blocking the cooler and
d) selecting 1st gear or 2nd when climbing hills.
Then with the benefit of the temperature gauge work out if you need an extra cooler or not. As Steve says you really need to monitor the temperature offroad and you can then modify the driving to cool it down. My mate with a land-cruiser had a gauge fitted and was shocked at how much cooler it ran when he selected a gear rather than leaving it in drive.
If the auto is still shifting OK then don't get too stressed about having done any damage.
I drove my auto Disco over the Simpson in manual mode for that reason.
Mike
2009 Manual Jimny