Transmission Fluid in Antifreeze

[sdavis11b]

I came to the conclusion that I had some sort of tranny fluid leak the other day when I heard my transmission whining due to low fluid. So I did what everyone does, jack the car up, clean the underside with Brake Cleaner, start it up and wait. After about 10 minutes there it was.

Leaking out of what seemed to be the heater core, dripping all the way down the firewall, then onto this Brake line:
WP_000687.jpg

Never seen anything like it. So out of curiosity, I checked the radiator and there it was, strawberry milkshake madness:
WP_000686.jpg

Having never seen this problem before, and after doing some research, it seems that the "transmission cooler" inside the radiator is damaged or broken. What are the next steps I should take to solve this problem?

Thanks

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

New radiator time.

Then flush your coolant and do a trans fluid change, you dont want ANY coolant in the trans fluid, coolant will kill it.

[sdavis11b]

I have an aftermarket Transmission Fluid Cooler as well. Could this have contributed to the problem?

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

Not likely. I good guess would be that the cooler tank cracked on the inside from age or getting bumped really hard.

[sdavis11b]

Ya the cars getting old and has never seen cold temps like these Georgia cold fronts.

[crashman]

New radiator time.

Then flush your coolant and do a trans fluid change, you dont want ANY coolant in the trans fluid, coolant will kill it.

Nope........................the ONLY way transmission fluid gets in there is through the heat exchanger in the radiator.

[sdavis11b]

Any reason why it would be pissing out the Heater Core?

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

Bad hose?

Take a picture where its leaking out the heatcore.

[sdavis11b]

Its pretty hard to get to with the phone, ill see what I can do.

[sdavis11b]

Quick update. Found out that the leak was coming from the top of the coolant overflow tank, which was filled with tranny/antifreeze goodness. Drained the radiator, pulled off the thermostat housing, flushed the motor, this stuff is everywhere. Should i flush the Heater Core as well? And are there any suggestions on a degreaser or chemical I could run through the block just to be sure all the tranny fluid is out of it?

[dsmuts]

I'd be more worried about the coolant in the trans than the trans fluid in the coolant.

[Slappyn]

I had the same thing with my old truck. You should think about pulling out the torque converter since there will be strawberry slush in there even after you change the oil.

[sdavis11b]

Hmm, never pulled a trans on this car. Havent had a chance to crack the tranny pan open. What do yall think about running some degreaser or simple green through the engine components? And whats the best place to buy a radiator online?

[dsmuts]

I would flush the coolant and refill it. Do it a few times if necessary.

[harner]

I wouldn't run degreaser. Just flush your cooling system out with water. I bought a used radiator on ebay for cheap, works very good. Time to upgrade while it needs to be replaced.

[Slappyn]

Hmm, never pulled a trans on this car. Havent had a chance to crack the tranny pan open. What do yall think about running some degreaser or simple green through the engine components? And whats the best place to buy a radiator online?

The trans is not hard. Dont run degreaser in there. Look at the junk yard or rock auto for a cheap radiator. Summit or ZZP for a high performance. Autozone or Advance auto for the cheapest decent/new radiator and if you go this route make sure to search for the forum on how to get the best price at Advance Auto. Swing by your local radiator shop and see what they have to say about the whole thing or give them a call if you dont have time to drop in. Talk to your local transmission shop about the whole ordeal with the trans. Usually they will either tell you to bring it in or give you some free advice.