ATF in Radiator in XC70??

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 23 Aug 2005, 16:42

Received message on OBC to stop immediately and check fluid. Was only a half mile from dealership so I stopped there. Fluid in reservior did not look right. Tech said that I had ATF in radiator from broken cooler. Said I needed to have a new radiator and have my cooling system flushed. The puzzling part was that he said that I didn't need to flush the transmission. Wouldn't it figure that if I had ATF in the cooling system that I also had water in the transmission?? Insight appreciated. Alan

Post by **kelvin6** » 23 Aug 2005, 18:09

How odd... I just got back from working on my uncle's S70 and it has the same problem. The coolant is black and sludged. I was going to post, but I guess the problem is the same.

The ATF cooler is inside the radiator (which in my opinion is a very bad thing, always best if you use an external cooler). When I checked the tranny fluid on the S70 it had no signs of water, but the S70 needed new fluid, it was black/brown (possibly burnt) anyhow. My best guess is to install a external cooler (bypass the radiator type configuration) to keep them seperate and MAYBE replace the radiator. On the plus side, more cooling equals longer life of tranny fluid (and the tranny). Just remember to plug up the holes on the tranny connectors on the radiator.

Jot · Post by **Jot** » 23 Aug 2005, 18:58

If I'm not mistaken there is a ATF cooler located under the car near the firewall. It is a small rectangular box.

Post by **kelvin6** » 23 Aug 2005, 19:10

Then why do the transmission lines go in to and out of the radiator? It is POSSIBLE that some models have external coolers, but I have yet to see one.

dpauto.com · Post by **dpauto.com** » 23 Aug 2005, 22:15

Most all the Volvo passenger vehicles that I have worked on all these years have transmission's cooler in built in with radiator. Some have an addon cooler but still runs in serie along with the radiator. At anytime you see ATF in coolant, flush cooling system and transmission as well. ATF is more visible in coolant than coolant in ATF.

Regards,
Dave

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 05 Sep 2005, 10:21

Here is an update on my 2002 V70XC. I still don't have the car back from the dealer. They stated that they had not run across this problem before and wanted to get confirmation from Volvo USA as to the correct procedure.

Word came from Volvo that they needed to replace the radiator AND the transmission!?! I freaked considering the fact that I was 750 miles past the expiry of my manufacturers warranty.

But, I have nothing but kudos for the dealership. They put me in a free loaner after two days, AND they are having the whole repair covered under the warranty!!! I am supposed to get the car back this Wednesday, and the only $$'s out of my pocket is the two days of rental car. How is that for service? I knew I bought from them for a reason.

Alan