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ATF in COOLANT???? HELLPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Old 06-05-2009, 09:46 AM
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ATF in COOLANT???? HELLPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After a 2000 mile trip pulling my 3 car, I checked my trans fluid. It was very low! I then noticed that my coolant has a red tint to it????

Is the engine oil cooler/transmission block on the drivers side of the motor the issue with this??? Can I bypass it to get home???

Thanks,
Chelsea
Old 06-05-2009, 09:57 AM
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Your transmission fluid might be a bit dark to. It happens as coolant mixes with the ATF over time. I have seen it happen before. Call Cummins and get the TCC cooler from them. It will run you about 300-350 dollars depending where your at. The dealer will charge you 550 plus so beware. The cooler is a pain to replace since it is in a very uncomfortable posion. Take care if that soon to prevent transmission failure.

Richard
Old 06-05-2009, 05:45 PM
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The coolant is supposed to be orange on your truck I think. If there was ATF in there it would look like a chocolate milkshake.
Old 06-05-2009, 06:31 PM
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Originally Posted by wannadiesel
The coolant is supposed to be orange on your truck I think. If there was ATF in there it would look like a chocolate milkshake.
Every blown cooler I've seen that mixed with coolant looks like strawberry milk.
Old 06-05-2009, 06:45 PM
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coolant is orange in a cr motor. if ts leaking from one to another then would both fluids be contaminated?
Old 06-05-2009, 06:46 PM
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Generally. If the coolant is clear then there is no oil in it.
Old 06-05-2009, 07:37 PM
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Your tranny cooler is in your radiator.. The tranny pressure is higher than coolant pressure. Two choice's, have the cooler in the factory radiator fixed. OR go with an aftermarket tranny cooler. Your still going to have to flush your cooling system.
Old 06-05-2009, 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by rich
coolant is orange in a cr motor. if ts leaking from one to another then would both fluids be contaminated?
You are correct. On the one part. Color. Tranny has higher PSI so the fluid gets dumped into the cooling system...
Old 06-05-2009, 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Riflemanusmc
Your tranny cooler is in your radiator.. The tranny pressure is higher than coolant pressure. Two choice's, have the cooler in the factory radiator fixed. OR go with an aftermarket tranny cooler. Your still going to have to flush your cooling system.
You are correct sir! The trans pressure is much, much higher than the cooling system. Are you pushing coolant out of the overflow?
Old 06-05-2009, 08:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Riflemanusmc
Your tranny cooler is in your radiator.. The tranny pressure is higher than coolant pressure. Two choice's, have the cooler in the factory radiator fixed. OR go with an aftermarket tranny cooler. Your still going to have to flush your cooling system.
The tranny cooler is NOT in the radiator. It is on the side of the block, drivers side behind the fuel filter assembly. These trucks have 2 coolers. One oil to air and another water to oil.

So that people know, If coolant mixes SLOWLY with AFT. I will turn black. It does not matter if the coolant is green or orange; the chemical composition of the coolant mixing with AFT causes it to black. I have seen it before. If the ATF and coolant mix suddenly, then you will see the milky discoloration.

Richard
Old 06-06-2009, 01:16 AM
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The truck has atf in the coolant. It is brownish and milky. Also, the coolant level is very low now too...

I have to find this part asap or Ill be stuck in Wisconsin.

This sandwich plate sucks! Sounds like I may just run an external oil cooler below the transcooler...
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