Ford Explorer Can A Radiator Leak Destroy A New Transmission

FORD EXPLORER
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SA12NIGHT
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I just bought a transmission on a 1996 Ford Explorer and 4 months later I start having problems with it. :oops: I bring it in and the mechanic says the warranty doesn't cover it and it is destroyed because the radiator went bad and flooded the trans. Is this possible, and is it a common occurence? Thanks so much, I just don't want to get ripped off...
SadUCFKnight.
Jan 18, 2006 at 9:06 AM
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LOVESCARS
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Yup! Fords are also equipped with transmission coolers placed in front of the radiator hence they need extra cooling
Jan 18, 2006 at 9:31 AM
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SA12NIGHT
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[quote:1853987504="Pud"]Yup! Fords are also equipped with transmission coolers placed in front of the radiator hence they need extra cooling[/quote:1853987504]

Pud, could you tell me briefly how this is possible? Also, how frequently does problem happen? Thanks for the help....
Jan 18, 2006 at 9:44 AM
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LOVESCARS
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No coolant no cooling of transmission no cooling of transmission causes heat heat destroys the fluid bad fluid does not lubricate properly destroys the transmission
Jan 18, 2006 at 10:53 AM
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DARRYL
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Hello: Lots of auto transmission coolers are located right in the radiator. The fluid goes through these coolers and is cooled by the coolant in the radiator. If the cooler inside the radiator springs a leak then water can get into the transmission, and transmission fluid can get into the engine coolant. If the radiator coolant had transmission fluid in it, that would be a dead give away that the trans cooler sprung a leak inside the radiator
good luck
Darryl...
Jan 18, 2006 at 12:05 PM
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Suggested Repair

Check the radiator and its internal transmission cooler for a leak. Coolant in the transmission, or transmission fluid in the coolant, indicates the cooler failed and contaminated the transmission. Replace the leaking radiator/cooler and repair or replace the damaged transmission so the failure is not repeated.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1996 Ford Explorer asked whether a failed radiator could destroy a transmission installed four months earlier after a mechanic denied warranty coverage, saying the radiator flooded the transmission. Experts confirmed this can happen. One explained that loss of transmission cooling overheats and ruins the fluid and transmission. Another explained that many transmission coolers are inside the radiator, so a leak can send coolant into the transmission and transmission fluid into the coolant, destroying the transmission. Transmission fluid in the coolant was identified as a clear sign of an internal cooler leak.

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