Catastrophic radiator failure
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 253
Likes: 24
From: Oklahoma
Catastrophic radiator failure
The transmission cooler tank ruptured in the radiator cross contaminating both the cooling system on the engine and into my turbo 350 transmission. I pulled the radiator flushed out the engine cooling system and replaced all the hoses and I’m putting in a new radiator. I removed the trans. Pan and filter which looked like a strawberry milkshake and used a hand pump to force as much fluid through return line as I could. I know I can’t empty the converter and am planning to button up and fill with new fluid and repeat . Before I invest in a new transmission I want to try this since it is not a daily driver no big loss. Thoughts? Thanks
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
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From: Palm Springs, CA.
It's certainly worth a try Steve.
I would do it exactly the way you describe and I would expect it to work. You have nothing to lose but the cost of some ATF. If it works out, it saves you the big expense of a trans R & R and overhaul.
Good luck brother.
Greg
I would do it exactly the way you describe and I would expect it to work. You have nothing to lose but the cost of some ATF. If it works out, it saves you the big expense of a trans R & R and overhaul.
Good luck brother.
Greg
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to go the cheep way,
I would at least replace the torque converter, (you do not want whats in the torque converter to go thru the trans), drop the pan, change filter and wipe "sluge" you will find in the pan, and then have your system flushed.
I would be really surprised if the trans was not hurt too though
I would at least replace the torque converter, (you do not want whats in the torque converter to go thru the trans), drop the pan, change filter and wipe "sluge" you will find in the pan, and then have your system flushed.
I would be really surprised if the trans was not hurt too though
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2,466
From: Indiana
happened all the time on honda ridgeline forum and happened to me..the strawberry milkshake of death.. look up honda ridgeline SMOD
if caught soon enough (like it stopped driving) and you pumped most into cooling as opposed to other way...
find exit to radiator from transmission... fill fluid.. start up and let pump into bucket.. a few fill ups.. obviously for not too long, repeat until clean... reconnect and go!!! (filter change)..
mine has been fine...for 10000 miles after..
good luck!!
if caught soon enough (like it stopped driving) and you pumped most into cooling as opposed to other way...
find exit to radiator from transmission... fill fluid.. start up and let pump into bucket.. a few fill ups.. obviously for not too long, repeat until clean... reconnect and go!!! (filter change)..
mine has been fine...for 10000 miles after..
good luck!!
Last edited by interpon; Aug 13, 2020 at 04:00 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 881
Likes: 113
a little water in motor oil is one thing; water in auto trans fluid quite another.
Friction disks' linings are glued onto disks with a water-based glue (that what's called for when operating in a petro bath). But when water is introduced, the glue softens and linings get shucked off. If you get the water out very quickly you might save it.
Friction disks' linings are glued onto disks with a water-based glue (that what's called for when operating in a petro bath). But when water is introduced, the glue softens and linings get shucked off. If you get the water out very quickly you might save it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,192
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From: If your not the lead dog the view never changes Boise, Id
Some of the oil change places here have a transmission flush machine. They say it flushes and replaces all the old transmission fluid including the fluid in the torque converter. Might try to tow it to one of those places.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 225
I would run it at idle, and not drive it until the fluid is clear. What you can do is disconnect the trans cooler outlet line that goes to the radiator, put a rubber hose on it into a bucket.
Start the car in park, and let the fluid come out into the bucket. while pouring fresh ATF into the fill tube. When the fluid looks clear, I would stop. It might cost you 2 or 3 gallons, but it's better than pulling the trans. After that, then pull the pan to replace the filter.
Start the car in park, and let the fluid come out into the bucket. while pouring fresh ATF into the fill tube. When the fluid looks clear, I would stop. It might cost you 2 or 3 gallons, but it's better than pulling the trans. After that, then pull the pan to replace the filter.
Last edited by Mrvettenick; Aug 13, 2020 at 07:04 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
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From: Indiana
I would run it at idle, and not drive it until the fluid is clear. What you can do is disconnect the trans cooler outlet line that goes to the radiator, put a rubber hose on it into a bucket.
Start the car in park, and let the fluid come out into the bucket. while pouring fresh ATF into the fill tube. When the fluid looks clear, I would stop. It might cost you 2 or 3 gallons, but it's better than pulling the trans. After that, then pull the pan to replace the filter.
Start the car in park, and let the fluid come out into the bucket. while pouring fresh ATF into the fill tube. When the fluid looks clear, I would stop. It might cost you 2 or 3 gallons, but it's better than pulling the trans. After that, then pull the pan to replace the filter.
then change filter..buy cheap fluid til clear
Last edited by interpon; Aug 13, 2020 at 10:35 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 492
Likes: 40
From: SE Ohio
St. Jude Donor '16-'17-'18,'19
I was the service mgr. at a GM garage in the mid 70's when GM had that problem. The factory required that we pull, disassemble, clean,reassemble and reinstall the trans.
Good luck
Bob
Good luck
Bob
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Seattle Washington
I used to go to a Trans Shop that drilled and taped every Converter that came into the shop when they did an Oil change. Yes this was before the Fluid changing machines of today. Never did figure out how they Taped the Threads or sealed the Plug but it worked for them. I work in the marine industry and sooner or later we get water ( sometimes salt water) in just about everything that has Oil in it. Very rarely does it require more than fresh Oil. I would do the above mentioned undo the Oil Line trick. You have nothing to loose.