Additional Gearbox Oil Cooler

[okedave]

Has anyone fitted a Volvo additional Gearbox Oil Cooler? I have a MY2011 XC90 D5 and I have asked about having it done at my local main dealer and they had the response below:

"Your car actually has a cooler inbuilt already within the radiator, probably not as robust as an additional one. VCUK parts have just confirmed no additional cooler available to order for that engine type. I could order one for a similar engine and see if its possible to fit but it would have to come with a disclaimer as it is not advised by VCUK."

[S60D5-185]

Hi, yes, I fitted a second hand one a few months ago to my 2007 XC90 D5 mainly because I tow a caravan. I paid £30 for it complete with pipes.

It was very easy to fit once I removed the steel bash guard and I am certain that the gearbox is actually smoother in all circumstances now whether solo or towing.


https://accessories.volvocars.com/en...CC-482588/2010

[okedave]

Originally Posted by S60D5-185

Hi, yes, I fitted a second hand one a few months ago to my 2007 XC90 D5 mainly because I tow a caravan. I paid £30 for it complete with pipes.

It was very easy to fit once I removed the steel bash guard and I am certain that the gearbox is actually smoother in all circumstances now whether solo or towing.

Is that an actual Volvo one? The dealer is saying that there isnt one for my engine, but can try fitting a different one for a similar engine.

[S60D5-185]

Yes, exactly the same as the one in the link.

They are about £350 new but you can find them used now and again.

This is a video showing a n identical one being fitted to a V8.

The cooler and mountings seem to be identical irrespective of which power unit is installed.

+ YouTube Video

[Danielpsmith]

Hi I have fitted one to my 56 reg d5, I couldn’t find a Volvo one with the pipes so I fitted a Davis Craig 30 row cooler using the method in the video as posted.

Made a difference to mine especially in the hot weather and after along run, mines on 178000 miles and the outlet pipe from the original cooler was nearly as hot as the inlet but now nice and cool.

A picture attached of mine during fitting had to make a metal bracket for it to sit on but works perfectly and plenty of space, I painted the bracket after so it’s nice and neat but plumbed in the same as the Volvo one hope it helps.

Daniel

[jtaw45]

Yes, I've done mine also. Again mainly for the fact I tow a twin axle caravan a lot. As S60-D5 says, it seems far smoother all round since I did it. I'd highly recommend it. I paid about £120 for mine with the pipes but worth every penny in my opinion. I also changed the fluid at the same time.

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by Danielpsmith

Hi I have fitted one to my 56 reg d5, I couldn’t find a Volvo one with the pipes so I fitted a Davis Craig 30 row cooler using the method in the video as posted.

Made a difference to mine especially in the hot weather and after along run, mines on 178000 miles and the outlet pipe from the original cooler was nearly as hot as the inlet but now nice and cool.

A picture attached of mine during fitting had to make a metal bracket for it to sit on but works perfectly and plenty of space, I painted the bracket after so it’s nice and neat but plumbed in the same as the Volvo one hope it helps.

Daniel

You've made a cracking job of that Daniel. Top man. What was your total cost because I've seen similar generic kits for the £40-£50 mark which is a massive saving over the Volvo unit and should be equally as efficient.

Darryl 👍

[Danielpsmith]

Thank you, the cooler was £135, minus 10% as I bought it over the phone instead of through eBay so they passed the saving onto me which was nice.

It came with the pipe work and clips, I just needed to buy some metal which was a few pounds from wickes and 20 litres of gearbox oil to flush it out again.

The kit cost abit more than others on eBay but I liked it as it is pressure tested to 150 psi so I know it is well made and is upto the job, they are on eBay they say these cool 33% better than the tube and fin ones and also the pipe work is the same diameter as the Volvo pipes so the flow isn’t interrupted.

Total cost just under £200 for everything including the 20 litres of jws3309 pemco oil.

Daniel

[S60D5-185]

Bargain, bearing in mind you bought a large good quality cooler. That combined with fresh fluid makes a job of it.

My gearbox is definitely smoother and it's not my imagination. It's well documented that heat kills auto boxes . Preventative maintenance every time. 😊

[galloot633]

I can't praise fitting a cooler enough ! Mines been trouble free since I fitted one ( a brand new boxed volvo one on eBay for about £60 ) as before fitting, the gearbox was going into limp mode , yes the car comes with a fluid cooler as part of the radiator , but as the car ages it's effiency reduces , in hot weather the engine dumps it's heat into the radiator which in my case was actually heating up the gearbox fluid !
Dave