Tranny/Radiator Question.

[LadyDivinitie]

Hi! I am not sure if this is the right place to post this. I have a 1995 Explorer Eddie Bauer 4WD Automatic. I just had my Tcase replaced and she drove great for about a week. Then she began to gush pink, greasy, foamy liquid from around he radiator cap and overfill tank after my hubby added some coolant (she was a little low). I noticed it a bit when I parked her when this symptom started, then the next time I went to drive her she went into reverse then fell out...I coaxed her back into drive to get her into the garage and checked the tranny. The fluid was not even touching the dipstick. I thought maybe since we just had work done and they only added 8 quarts of fluid after the repair she just needed a little more. I put in 1 quart while she was off and she read full, then when I started her the dipstick wasn't touching fluid again. We put in 3 more quarts of fluid and she read full again (while idling). I took her around the block and by the time we got back she began falling out of gear again and was really gushing the funny liquid I described from the radiator. Hubby thinks the tranny fluid is leaking into the radiator and wants to replace it. Can this be right? Can aything else cause this? You guys hae been such a big help during my recent Tcase fiasco, that I need assurance. Hubby knows quite a bit but he drives a Saturn (LOL) and this is the first SUV 4x4 we've owned.

Thanks for your time

 

[gijoecam]

The only place where both transmission fluid and coolant are in the same area is in the radiator itself. There is an oil-to-water transmission cooler built into nearly all vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission in the last 25 years or so. When the engine is running, the crack between the two fluids results in higher pressure on the trans fluid side of things. That pumps the trans fluid into the radiator, and trans fluid does not make a good coolant for the engine. The thing to worry about is that once the engine is warm, when you shut the key off, the pressure in the transmission line goes to nothing, and the residual pressure in the cooling system can force coolant back into the transmission, and that's a death sentence for the transmission.

So, what to do? IMHO, DO NOT drive the vehicle until the radiator has been replaced. It's a relatively simple job, and IIRC, a new radiator runs around $100. You'll need a flare nut wrench to break the transmission lines loose, remove the hose clamps on the radiator hoses, remove the shroud mounting screws and position the shroud out of the way, and remove the two brackets that hold it in place. It'll be a messy job, but it's not tough. Any halfway competent shade-tree mechanic can handle it.

As for the other potential issue, I'd suggest a trans fluid change ASAP!! Do not pass go, do not collect $200, do not even drive it. Drain the pan and torque converter, then fill with fresh fluid. It's a hassle, but you do NOT want coolant churning around in the trans fluid, and the only way to know for sure there's nothing in there is to drain and change it.

Good luck!

-Joe

 

[LadyDivinitie]

Thanks For the Info

I feel much better having someone with Ford experience's feedback. Are there any tricks or words of wisdom about draining and/or refilling the tranny? You all on this site are so awesome!! I thank God all the time that I found this place.

You Rock!!
Div

 

[gijoecam]

Please visit the transmissions and transfer cases forum for those answers. A quick search will turn up a weekend's worth of valuable reading.

-Joe

 

[BrooklynBay]

You could flush the transmission by disconnecting one of the lines going to the front cooler, start the engine, add one quart, drain a quart, etc. Replace the filter inside of the tranmssion too.