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Hello, i recently had my trans rebuilt because it failed on me. (2003 6.0 f350 5r110w) My question is, which side is the inlet and outlet on the radiator transmission cooler. I need to back flush it to get all the gunk out. I replaced the external trans cooler but i was told to just flush the radiator with trans cooler flush and compressed air. Thank you
 

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The forward line on the transmission is the outlet to the filter and coolers. Proper effective flushing requires a heated flusher that can be reversed and should be done before replacing the external cooler if required. When replacing the cooler I simply install a jumper hose in place of the cooler, perform the flush and then install and connect the new external cooler. The external filter housing is supposed to be disconnected and the applicable lines and coolers flushed separately. Don't forget to replace the external fluid filter.
 

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Here is my simple method: Remove the external cooler. Scrap it. Install new external cooler.

I do not believe that the cooler can be effectively flushed, especially as a DIY project. You're risking destroying the new trans with the old cooler.
 

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Discussion Starter · #4 · (Edited)
Thank you guys for the replies. Let me clarify a couple things. The trans is rebuilt but i have yet to start the truck since i installed it. I have a new external transmission cooler installed already. I just need to flush the transmission cooler portion of the radiator. My question is, which is the outlet on the radiator so i know which to back flush from? All the lines are disconnected so i can just flush the radiator and not the new external cooler.
 

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Here is my simple method: Remove the external cooler. Scrap it. Install new external cooler.

I do not believe that the cooler can be effectively flushed, especially as a DIY project. You're risking destroying the new trans with the old cooler.
X1000! Just not worth the risk for a relatively cheap part. It would be like rebuilding an engine and wanting to strain and put back the oil that was in it before it blew up because it was still 2k away from needing an oil change when it blew.
 

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I think you are referring to the trans cooler that is inside the engine radiator. I thought only the OBS had this and that the Superduty's had only a standalone trans cooler.

My truck is an OBS, when i rebuilt my trans and installed a trans cooloer i just bypassed the existing one in the radiator.
 

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Discussion Starter · #7 ·
I have replaced the external trans cooler already as stated above! My question is about the trans cooler in the bottom of the radiator! The fluid goes through both. Which is the fluid outlet on the bottom of the radiator so i can effectively back- flush it before starting the truck? The lines are all disconnected so i can just flush the radiator portion.
 

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It doesn't matter. The cooler in the radiator is just a small tank that runs between the two fittings. That you should be able to clean effectively, because it lacks all the twists and turns of an external cooler.
 

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I think you are referring to the trans cooler that is inside the engine radiator. I thought only the OBS had this and that the Superduty's had only a standalone trans cooler.
The '99 and early '00 Superduty didn't have an in tank cooler. It was added back into production mid year 2000. And many of the older trucks were updated with new radiators to install the in tank cooler because not having one proved to be a monumental disaster for many people.

My truck is an OBS, when i rebuilt my trans and installed a trans cooloer i just bypassed the existing one in the radiator.
Not a good plan at all, unless you never have a load. The radiator cooler does at least half of the cooling of the trans. Bypassing it leaves you vulnerable to overheating the transmission.
 

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pull 4k worth of boat nearly every other weekend and and pulled 9k of tractor on 3 occasions in the past year with no problems thus far. I will temper that by saying that i live in the flatter South East US thus i do not encounter any aggressive grades when pulling. I haven't seen anything over 190 since install.
 
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