Seems like oil in the radiator overflow canister?

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 11 Jun 2011, 21:41

Hi
I opened the canister and the overflow of fluid was oily and brown, light caramel ( like trans fluid with water in it)
checked the trans fluid and looks like it has water in it, although it could be condensation ( it happens to Harleys all the time)

What could be the culprit and how to fix it??
I opened the radiator and it was mostly clean fluid, will try a flushing.
Are there any lines from trans thru the radiator??

The car is a 1994 850 non turbo
Thanks for the help

Post by **erikv11** » 11 Jun 2011, 21:57

Yes, the trans cooler is integrated into the radiator. It sounds like the radiator may be bad, leaking trans fluid into the collant. Don't let that go very long.

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 11 Jun 2011, 22:17

So, can it be repaired or its a new radiator??. Is there anyway to bypass it?
Im not driving the car since I parked it to repair a bunch of little things..
Could that be also screwing up with the flashing arrow and trans, while moving it around today, felt a couple thumps on the trans..
Thanks

Post by **mikealder** » 12 Jun 2011, 02:39

New radiator, drain and flush the engine oil, drain and flush out the auto fluid using th eengine running method to make sure you get all the engine coolant out of the box, you might just get away with it but if th ebox is already unhappy (flashing arrow etc) its probably shot - They really don't like water in them - Mike

Wharf Rat McLean · Post by **Wharf Rat McLean** » 12 Jun 2011, 10:36

I just had this happen and it was engine oil my 98 XC has both engine and tranny coolers in the radiator, ck my post "oil in my coolant" I'm going to install a oil cooler in front of ac condenser and plug the ports in the radiator. Do a flush after. Sounds like yours is tranny fluid try a service on it ASAP also, mine will probly do that one next. Note to self: buy two coolers.

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 12 Jun 2011, 11:02

So at least I will have to flush the trans and engine oil as soon as possible, remove the radiator until I get one.
Is a 98 s70 radiator the same?
Now that I as almost finished with the car...
Oh well...

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 30 Jul 2011, 22:40

Update on this.

Up to now I have used 5 gallons to flush the trans, today the color was a darker pink, kinda magenta, far from the milk chocolate.
I will get another 12 qts and redo the flush. The trans is working fine, shifting well, theres no lag not thumps, still got to drive the car a bit further and see.
Flushed the radiator and passages to remove as much oil as possible, have recircled water more times that I care to count or remember. The canister looks fairly clean after warming up the car.
The arrow has not lit, but i have not driven the car any significant distance.

Is there anything else I will have to do in order to flush the trans better??

Post by **keepersboy** » 30 Jul 2011, 23:13

You can get a new radaitor for a littlle over $100 , so the time and effort to bypass, etc really seems like a waste of time. Without doing a power flush on the transmission, your best to just keep flushing untill the oil is clean.

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 30 Jul 2011, 23:19

Thanks.
I do have a radiator that I can use..for now Im opting for the external cooler.
What do you mean with power flush?.
Thanks