Transmission problem

[vieirajoseph]

I was looking under my hood trying to solve one problem and found another BIG one. I have transmission fluid in the coolant reservoir and in the radiator!! I need to know where to start the process of fixing this....

 

[my98nnj]

Your radiator has failed. Replace it and have the tranny flushed.

Not such a big problem...

 

[vieirajoseph]

Transmission Flush

I have ordered a new radiator, but I have been warned in the past about flushing a transmission. I was told that flushing the tranny could wash away helpful buildup and cause it to start slipping. How true is that??

 

[imp]

I have ordered a new radiator, but I have been warned in the past about flushing a transmission. I was told that flushing the tranny could wash away helpful buildup and cause it to start slipping. How true is that??

Helpful build-up? Hmm.......The concern here is that radiator pressure is still present after the engine is off (no fluid pressure in trans.), may allow coolant to back-up through trans. cooler line into trans. Antifreeze/water bad in trans. imp

 

[vieirajoseph]

fingers crossed

I got a new radiator and successfully installed it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will solve my problem. I am curious though, when I was changing the radiator out, I only disconnected 2 hard lines and changed the 2 hoses. I still dont understand how transmission fluid gets into the radiator. Does the tranny fluid go through the radiator through one of those hard lines?
I ran out of daylight, but I plan on flushing the transmission tomorrow. Thanks for the advice and help guys...

 

[muhl5443]

yes the trans. fluid goes into the radiator.. its what helps keep the trans. fluid as cool as possible.

 

[imp]

I still dont understand how transmission fluid gets into the radiator. Does the tranny fluid go through the radiator through one of those hard lines?.....

The radiator end tank contains a tubular capsule, a heat exchanger, through which the trans. fluid flows, entering from one tube from the trans. and returning to it through the other.

The effectiveness of this set-up is only good when the trans. fluid temperature is higher than the coolant temperature in the radiator, so the trans. fluid temp. is usually at least 195` or so, depending on how hard the torque converter is working.

When trans. fluid is found in the engine coolant, it means the in-tank heat exchanger has sprung a leak, which requires replacement of the radiator.

Later model Explorers, I think beginning with Gen. 3, not sure on that, do not use the in-radiator cooling method for the trans. fluid, but rather a little "radiator" of their own, stuck in front of the main engine radiator. This means the in-coming air does the cooling, and it's never as hot as the normal running engine coolant temp.! imp

 

[safn1949]

Flush the tranny,if it fails from a proper flush it was junk to begin with.I have done my 94 at 120,000 then took it for a week at Moab.That was over a year and 20,000 miles ago.I also did the 2000 with 175,000 on it and it works fine.

Don't believe that nonsense about not flushing,just make sure it gets done at a reputable shop.