2001 S60 T5 Transmission Oil Color

Greg Sands · Post by **Greg Sands** » 13 Oct 2013, 14:04

Hello everyone!

Well, my heater core gave out on me a week ago, new part is already on its way, but in refilling the coolant with water i noticed oil in the radiator overflow (if thats the name for it). The overflow cap looked white yesterday, now it appears more brown. Checking the engine oil for coolant, i was grateful to see it looking normal ( Last changed the oil roughly 3,000 miles ago ). I then checked the Transmission fluid, it looks bad, I'm not an expert on Tranny colors but it just looks a bit like pepto, so maybe the tranny cooler failed? I'm ready to flush the system and replace the radiator, but i want to be sure before spending the money. Does the tranny oil picture look like the typical oil and water mixture, or just old fluid? Also the engine was off the entire night before taking these pictures, so the transmission is severely overfilled. Thank you to anyone who responds, Have a good day.

IMSITTINGINYOURCHAIR · Post by **IMSITTINGINYOURCHAIR** » 13 Oct 2013, 18:35

I call this a "strawberry milkshake" as in you have coolant in your trans oil. unless you changed it recently that fluid should be a little darker or at least less pink and more red. do not drive it until the radiator is replaced and do a trans oil flush before you do drive it.

Greg Sands · Post by **Greg Sands** » 13 Oct 2013, 20:51

Thanks for the reply!
I just ordered the new radiator from FCP and will do a flush. It does look a bit like a strawberry milkshake lol. I hope that it did not permanently damage my transmission.

IMSITTINGINYOURCHAIR · Post by **IMSITTINGINYOURCHAIR** » 13 Oct 2013, 20:55

as long as you didn't run it too long I wouldn't think so.

Post by **JDS60R** » 13 Oct 2013, 21:27

Make sure to replace the pressure cap as well. They don't do well after oil exposure.