2013 Toyota Sienna LE Transmission Oil Cooler

13837 Views 14 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Esams, May 30, 2021

Adamdanaegee

Discussion Starter · Nov 29, 2016

I just purchased a 2013 Toyota Sienna LE and realized that not all of the 2013 models came with towing capacity. The booklet says it can tow up to 3500lbs, but I am hearing that the LE's may not have a Transmission engine Oil cooler. We tow a Popup that weights about 3,000lbs fully loaded and take it out west. Do I need to upgrade/install a transmission engine oil cooler to it?
Thanks for everyone's help here.

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fibber2

· #2 · Nov 29, 2016

The factor in Sienna tow capacity is NOT related to the tranny cooler (all have the basic in-radiator heat exchange), but an oil-to-water Engine Oil Cooler. The 2GR-FE engine reportedly has some oil coking issues if the internals get too hot. Basic as-is towing capacity is 1500 lbs, but with the cooler it jumps to 3500 lbs.

This is a composite I made for the Gen-II vans, but the Gen-III are very similar.

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2014SiennaLE

· #3 · Dec 7, 2016

Well plus he is talking about two different coolers here. "transmission engine oil cooler ".

And you probably should still add an external small transmission cooler if you are going to tow as the stock one just cools flowing through the bottom of the radiator.

Add something like https://www.etrailer.com/tran-2013_Toyota_Sienna.htm?style=3.5L+V6+Engine+-+215+c.i.

billy bee

· #4 · Mar 11, 2017

fibber2 said:
This is a composite I made for the Gen-II vans, but the Gen-III are very similar.

This is very helpful. On our Gen III van it is quite easy to see the two insulated hoses (numbered 7 and 8). You can feel past the exhaust manifold (when the engine is cold, of course) for the heat exchanger, but it is a little harder to see than in your picture.

Thanks for this information.

Bill

fibber2

· #5 · Mar 11, 2017

Agree Bill. It's more tucked under the manifold on our 2015, but the basic hardware is still the same for the engine oil heat exchanger. I tried to take some new pictures, but it's much harder to capture.

billy bee

· #6 · Mar 11, 2017

The irony here is that I bought a 2011 Limited AWD sight unseen from a private party in CO assuming it had the tow package because it has a hitch...and because I heard "they all come with the tow package." I subsequently saw information here that suggested otherwise; there is a chart posted in the GenIII forum that suggests the tow package was not even available on XLE/Limited AWD vans in certain years. So, I am quite pleased to report that mine has the tow package after all, and that I was able to verify using these pictures. Really appreciate getting to the bottom of this...

Bill

twinster2

· #7 · Mar 11, 2017

Its too bad that the 3rd Gen does not come with a second transmission cooler like the Highlanders do. If I ever tow anything with my Sienna I will make sure before I do to add a trans cooler. An extra trans cooler can save you big bucks down the road in repair costs.

odd

· #8 · Feb 4, 2018

3

Hi All, I'm sorry to revive a dead thread, but I'm investigating adding an engine oil cooler to my '13 LE AWD. From what others have said, adding the factory components is probably money and time prohibitive.

The other option would be to add a remote oil cooler. But it sounds like people got hung up on the fact that the Sienna uses a cartridge oil filter and not a spin on one.

Maybe these are new, but has anyone considered a 'Cartridge To Remote Spin On Oil Filter Adapter' by Baxter performance?

http://www.shop.bpadapters.com/TR-101-BK-Cartridge-to-Remote-Adapter-TR-101-BK.htm

Then one could reroute those lines to an add-on engine oil cooler kit like Derale 'Part Number 15451 13 Row Plate & Fin Engine Oil Cooler Kit with Spin On Adapter' kit, replacing the spin on adapter with the cartridge adapter from Baxter:

http://derale.com/products/fluid-co...0-plate-fin/1-pass-12-heat-sink-cooler-detail

http://derale.com/images/stories/virtuemart/product/pdfs/15451.pdf

Then I should only need to add a transmission oil cooler, and perhaps a heavy duty radiation, and then I could tow the full 3500 pounds?

This has probably been thought of before and there's a good reason why it wouldn't work, but I thought I'd check.

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fibber2

· #9 · Feb 5, 2018

Something like the Baxter adapter has been the missing link for the past 10 years, and could be the solution. Nice find! Are you going to do it?

fibber2

· #10 · Feb 5, 2018

Reposting my composite image that our 'friends' at PhotoBucket will no longer host....

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odd

· #11 · Feb 6, 2018

I don't have a need to tow all 3500 just yet, but I may in the future. I'm just trying to get my research done. I wonder how much this setup would complicate oil changes?

kevs117

· #12 · Feb 26, 2020

odd said:
I don't have a need to tow all 3500 just yet, but I may in the future. I'm just trying to get my research done. I wonder how much this setup would complicate oil changes?

Odd, were you able to solve Oil Cooler issue? I am trying to figure out what to do with our 2013 Sienna LE. Thanks!

odd

· #13 · Feb 27, 2020

kevs117 said:
Odd, were you able to solve Oil Cooler issue? I am trying to figure out what to do with our 2013 Sienna LE. Thanks!

I haven't done it. I keep posting the info on the forums hoping somebody else will take the plunge first.

kevs117

· #14 · Feb 27, 2020

odd said:
I haven't done it. I keep posting the info on the forums hoping somebody else will take the plunge first.

Thanks for the update! Man, it is the only component needed to bring the Sienna 2013 LE to 3500. I am hoping to find a solution to avoid having to upgrade to a Sequoia.

Esams

· #15 · May 30, 2021 (Edited)

kevs117 said:
Thanks for the update! Man, it is the only component needed to bring the Sienna 2013 LE to 3500. I am hoping to find a solution to avoid having to upgrade to a Sequoia.

I used these, need to use the side ports due to ground clearance issues. Also some forums say this only cools low/bottom engine oil temperature.
Adapter:

baxterperformanceusa.com

Toyota TR-502-BK Cartridge To Remote Adapter (Multi-Port) - Baxter Performance

New Cartridge to Remote Oil Filter Adapter for Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles. Provides the ability to relocate and convert to spin-on style oil filters utilizing aftermarket remote oil filter mounts. Adapter can be configured ports-end or ports-side. Side porting is especially useful where...

baxterperformanceusa.com

Cooler:

10 Row Series 10000 Stack Plate Universal Engine Oil Cooler Kit, Spin On Adapter

10 Row Series 10000 Stack Plate Universal Engine Oil Cooler Kit, Spin On Adapter Series 10000 Stacked Plate Stack Plate Engine Cooler Kit, Spin-On Adapter 15651

derale.com

Should it be bigger though?

ICT Billet Straight M18-1.5 to 12.7mm Hose Barb Fitting Black Billet Aluminum FM1815M12BA

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WIX 51515XP XP Oil Filter

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Amazon.com: WIX 51515XP XP Oil Filter : Automotive

Buy WIX 51515XP XP Oil Filter: Oil Filters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

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