Which of these transmission coolers is more effective (Odyssey)?

[Bryan L.]

We just bought a used Honda Odyssey and want to install a transmission cooler to pull our 16 foot Scamp. Here is a picture of the factory one from Honda:
http://www.handa-accessories.com/odyssey/odytc.jpg
The one I'm leaning towards is this one:
http://www.etrailer.com/p-HH41020.htm

It seems like the second one has a greater cooling capacity. The other one is just one little loop of tubing. Can that possibly cool anything? Seems ridiculous. The van is not under warranty so I don't have to worry about installing factory parts at all. They also recommend a power steering cooler for heavier loads that looks just like the tranny cooler. Any insight on that? We're not out there pulling our trailer every weekend, just occasionally.

[Frederick L. Simson]

I bought my 2003 Odyssey LX new, and had the dealer install the factory coolers (both of them). I have never had an issue with my transmission and it has 88,000 miles on it now. I had experienced a loss of power assist in the steering of a different vehicle during a collision avoidance maneuver; I'm glad I have the extra cooler for power steering now. I'm quite satisfied with my setup, and plan to keep this minivan close to 200,000 miles or 15 years. (I refi'd my house with a 15 year fixed rate mortgage and took out cash to be able to buy this car, so I consider it a 15 year car loan.)

[Tom Trostel]

I think any good quality stacked plate cooler will do the job. I put a Tru-Cool 4451 in my 2002 Toyota Sienna and never had a problem with it.

[Darwin Maring]

for great prices, check

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Search?...smission+cooler

while u r there, order their rv catalog.

[Bryan L.]

Thanks for the input. I'll probably go with the cheaper cooler. I'm still iffy about that power steering cooler though.

[Bill MacDermod]

you can get a lot of this info on the odyclub forum, as I remember Generation 2 & 3 (thru 2007) Hondas had some issues with transmissions although not all did, In 2005 Honda started putting tranny and P/S coolers on but the after market coolers are much better than the factory installed. Generation 3 has issues with power steering, I have a 2005 EX-L with 86,000 miles and have had no major issues with either altho at times the steering feels iffy in parking lots etc. The dealers buzz sentence is we have not been able to duplicate it. In 08 or 09 they started putting the Ridgerunner tranny in the Ody. The after market coolers are much more efficient than the Honda coolers tho.
http://www.odyclub.com/forums/

[Michael Pupeza]

Thanks for the input. I'll probably go with the cheaper cooler. I'm still iffy about that power steering cooler though.

Bryan;
I pull a Bigfoot 17 with an 03 Odyssey. The PS cooler is mandatory, according to Honda, for the following reason:
when towing, usually, the revs are higher since you are mostly in 4th or 3rd gear - rarely in overdrive lock. The power steering pump vents it's overpressure normally, but the temperature will increase with the rpms. Without extra cooling, the fluid will exceed nominal temps and break down quicker! A bad thing!
On my recent trip to Dayton, I was pushing a severe headwind most of the day getting only 100 km with 25 l of fuel (9.5 mpg US)! The engine revs were sitting at around 3800 rpm for long periods of time! I'll bet that the systems were getting pretty warm! I was glad to know that I did have both extra sized coolers for the tranny and PS.
Return trip gave me 100 km with 18 l (13.3 mpg US, more normal!). Not towing, I get over 22 mpg US!
Good luck.
Mike