While having an ATF cooler fail makes for a mess it is not a definite tranny killer unless left too long. Still, there are a number of reasons to upgrade this marginal cooling solution. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Stuart MacMillan
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2017 2:51 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: oil to coolant coolers, get rid of the one on the automatic transmission!

While these are pretty reliable, when the A/T cooler goes it takes out the transmission, a $2000-$3000 repair. There are plenty of good oil to air cooler options, and they are easier to install. I have the one German Transaxle assembles and recommends, and it's the same one they make for Go Westy (and included now on all their GT rebuilt automatics), but without the thermostat bypass. That's only needed where the winters are very cold.

At $250 sans T-stat it's one of the cheapest options, and you can order from them directly (it's not on their website).

Stuart