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Transmission Fluid in The Coolant ( KPLlease someone give me some ad

Yahoo Message Number: 88983
We are getting ready for our three month trip, and I always have my mechanic check everything out. He discovered Transmission fluid in the coolant. Can the radiator be rebuilt or need I buy a new one and from where.
He is suggesting that I replace the cooling/trans radiator. From what he has explained the transmission radiator is inside the coolant radiator.

Flush out the Transmission and replace all oil and filters He indicated that this is big money.
Can anybody give me some advice. The Inspire is a 2005 with 99,000 miles.

I also have a call into Kevin Wait, who I have comp;lete trust.

Stan Canaris

2005 Inaspire -- 51406
99,000 miles

Re: Transmission Fluid in The Coolant ( KPLlease someone give me som

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 88984
You could also have coolant in your transmission fluid, not a good thing for the tranny.

Lee

Re: Transmission Fluid in The Coolant ( KPLlease someone give me som

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 88985
Major bummer Stan. Yeah it could get expensive, but if it impacts the trip - that is double the hurt!
While networking with John and Kevin, also post to the Allison section and perhaps the CAT section too for input. (Pretty sure the 05 Inspire has the C9 and Allison combo?
You know from my earlier PM that I'm a new fan of Temecula Valley RV. A call to the owner, Erik, might also provide another source of informed opinion on the options you have.

So sorry for you, and fingers crossed it is a lesser problem.
Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Transmission Fluid in The Coolant ( KPLlease someone give me som

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 88986
Stan,

Most likely their is a internal cooling loop for the trans fluid inside the engine radiator.
This internal loop probably sprang a leak.... It happens.
If it was me, I would immediately get it to a shop.
Have Radiator replaced, flush cooling system, and, flush the trans. Hell of a lot cheaper than a tranny..
Hopefully you caught it early before any harm is done.
I have been told by mechanics that the trans fluid pressure is higher than the coolant, so as fluid dynamics, you may be OK.
I was just thru this with my son's Xterra.
Best of luck.

Kirbo

SOB (Country Coach soon ...)

Re: Transmission Fluid in The Coolant ( KPLlease someone give me som

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 88992
Yes and you may have to flush the transmission a number of times. If the contamination is to bad the transmission will have to be rebuilt. Allison recommends you flush the transmission with standard fluid until the no sign of coolant and then flush out the standard transmission fluid with transynd once and then refill again with transynd. Then drive the coach for a trip and replace it again. At over $50 a gallon for the transynd and 3500 for the radiator and 10 to 16 hours of labor you can see how the costs can easily approach $5000 or higher. And while your at it make sure the charge air cooler isn't leaking, my bet, it is. And you might as well replace the hydraulic hoses to the cooling fan as they will fail soon, too. If your luck is like mine just because the fan controller is working today, will probably mean it won't after you start your trip.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Transmission Fluid in The Coolant ( KPLlease someone give me som

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 88989
This happened to us on our trip to Alaska. Lost the radiator and the tranny. Replaced both. Had to since by the time we did the tranny had been destroyed because the friction plates in the Allison are made with a water based glue. The coolant is a water based material and dissolved the glue that binds the transmission's friction plate material. You do need the radiator replaced with a copper/steel one and then mounted in rubber cushioned mounts before re-attaching it to the frame. You might get away without rebuilding the tranny if flushed and found to be okay - - but that's doubtful. Additionally, the tranny is very large; at the Freightliner shop we were in, in Anchorage, the only way they could get the tranny out required the removal of the (side) radiators - there are three of them. I only mention that because if you just replaced the engine radiator, and flushed the tranny and then discovered that the tranny still needed rebuilding you might once again need the radiators removed - just to get the tranny out and back in - an expensive affair. Something to discuss with your shop.


Good luck with the process. By the way, if CC had still been a viable business at the time of our failure I would have sued them. They knew this to be a problem but did not inform owners so that at the very least the radiator could have been replaced before failure and the resulting destruction of the transmission. Additionally, when we attempted to purchase a new radiator, CC tried to pawn-off on us another aluminum one!

Cheers,

Mel Shapiro '03 LEXA (Had 40,000 miles at the time of radiator/tranny failure).
Cheers
 

Transmission Fluid in The Coolant ( KPLlease someone give me som

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109373
Good morning, Mel.

I am considering the purchase of a late production build Lexa Odyssey #6254.

I know you had some lousy experiences during your Alaska trip, however other than that event, how would you rate your overall experience with the Lexa? I would greatly appreciate your insights. The coach we are looking at has 72,000 miles on it and appears to be in good condition. I fly out to see it next Tuesday.

Best regards,
David