Transmission fluid in radiator

Tiny
WILLIAMC9952
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
I am getting transmission fluid In my radiator. I changed the radiator and put in a new one, but I am still getting transmission fluid in the radiator. I flushed it ten times with dawn, thinking it was just left over, but no, and my transmission fluid keeps going low do to said problem. Is there something I am missing on this SUV? Is there another source that can cause fluid to get in the radiator? I checked the transmission and there is no water in there just fluid.
(Thank God) Please help!
Monday, June 3rd, 2019 AT 10:57 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

Did you use a new or used radiator?

The radiator is the only connection to the transmission fluid in the coolant.

Roy
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Tuesday, June 4th, 2019 AT 3:12 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Just to jump in. I suspect what you did was get the heater core plugged with this contaminated fluid now when it is running, it is just slowly releasing the transmission fluid contamination back into the system. Unfortunately you cannot flush this out of the heater core because it is multi passage. That means the fluid will just find the path of least resistance and will not get clean. Then once this is contaminated, it grows like a cancer.

Here is a guide on how to replace the heater core:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-heater-core

Plus I attached the process from the manual. If you would like to prove this out, bypass the heater core and then flush the system again and run the vehicle with the bypass still in place. If the fluid does not get contaminated again, then the cooler is the issue.

Let us know if there are questions. Thanks
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Wednesday, December 16th, 2020 AT 3:05 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Hello again.

Did you use a new or used radiator? If you used either, the cooler inside is the only way fluid can get from the transmission to the radiator itself.

As far as flushing, you need to have it pressure flushed. That will require removal of the thermostat, and using a pressure based machine that uses acid to break down the fluid particles.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

Roy

Thermostat

Removal and Installation

1. Drain the engine cooling system.

2. Remove the air cleaner outlet tube.

3. Remove the generator wiring harness bracket nut and position the wiring harness aside.

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4. Disconnect the upper radiator hose.

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5. Remove the bolts water outlet adapter and thermostat.
Inspect the O-ring seal, install a new O-ring seal if necessary.

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6. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
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Wednesday, December 16th, 2020 AT 5:32 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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I attached the radiator replacement procedure for you as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-radiator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

Roy

Radiator

Removal and Installation
1. Drain the cooling system.
2. Remove the air cleaner outlet tube.

imageOpen In New TabZoom/Print

3. Disconnect and remove the overflow hose.
4. Remove the cooling fan shroud.

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5. Disconnect the upper radiator hose from the radiator.

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6. Disconnect the lower radiator hose from the radiator.

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7. NOTE: To avoid disturbing the transmission oil cooler fittings, use a backup wrench.

Disconnect the two transmission cooling lines.

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8. Remove the two bolts and the radiator.

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9. Position aside EVAP test port.
10. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 3:09 PM

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