Hi guys, I need some help and advice from some that have similar problem to mine. I have a 1998 Sienna Van XLE. A little over 282,000 miles on it. I have tranny fluid mixed in with coolant. Found both strawberry milkshake color mixture in radiator, reserve side tank and drained transmission fluid. I got home to find out after parking that pressure caused the reserve tank cap to burst up shooting the up. Please advise for fixes. I plan on doing job myself if easy enough. Thanks in advance.
Transmission fluid mixed with coolant in radiator
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I check my fluids constantly. I did not notice anything unusual. There would have been red flag easily. Only after I parked van yesterday and saw steam and goop coming out of reservoir. I ran water through radiator and all goop stated to come out at bottom release valve after I open it. Then I drain tranny fluid out. But the were more signs of mixture in the reserve tank and radiator. NOT Tranny fluid.
So what is the best way to self flush and what do I need to replace. I plan on doing job myself. BTW, your from So Cal. IE correct? I am from LA area. Nice to see a local guy. Thanks so much for insight.
I think the cooling system will be good with a drain, flush with water until what is coming out appears to be free from oil.
For the trans, a complete fluid change is needed. This is not easy, as the volume of fluid in the TC adds to the complexity.
I would seriously have it done by a good shop.
One of the few shops that I trust is Inglewood Transmission (now located in Fullerton). Mike Loverich runs the place and is a good guy.
For the trans, a complete fluid change is needed. This is not easy, as the volume of fluid in the TC adds to the complexity.
I would seriously have it done by a good shop.
One of the few shops that I trust is Inglewood Transmission (now located in Fullerton). Mike Loverich runs the place and is a good guy.
Hi Rich, I complete drained the tranny fluid as well as the coolant from radiator and reserve tank. I will purchase new radiator, put new tranny fluid and run engine. I will replace with new tranny fluid. That should resolve problem I hope. Any other sound advices? Thanks so much for replies.
There's not much more you can so at home.
Keep in mind that the few quarts that you got out of the trans pan is less than half of the complete volume. The TC is full of fluid.
After you get everything back together, check the fluid and see if it's clean. If so, you may have gotten lucky and the contamination only went from the trans to the cooling system.
But from your initial post with the contamination being in the pan, I would seriously consider taking it to Mike and having him flush it properly.
Keep in mind that the few quarts that you got out of the trans pan is less than half of the complete volume. The TC is full of fluid.
After you get everything back together, check the fluid and see if it's clean. If so, you may have gotten lucky and the contamination only went from the trans to the cooling system.
But from your initial post with the contamination being in the pan, I would seriously consider taking it to Mike and having him flush it properly.
If you flush the trans yourself you need to do it 3 or 4 times to do it completely. Same with the cooling system to make sure the engine is clean.
You may also want to go to a separate trans cooler instead of the one in the radiator, so this won't happen again.
You may also want to go to a separate trans cooler instead of the one in the radiator, so this won't happen again.
good it wasn't a HG leak.
for future reference, you can get pretty good results by filling trans via the fill tube while the car's running in park and the bad stuff is being drained into a 5 gallon bucket from the trans cooler return hose. that way, you can see the exact second the good stuff starts to run out into the bucket and know you've gotten all the old stuff out of everythere.
tony
for future reference, you can get pretty good results by filling trans via the fill tube while the car's running in park and the bad stuff is being drained into a 5 gallon bucket from the trans cooler return hose. that way, you can see the exact second the good stuff starts to run out into the bucket and know you've gotten all the old stuff out of everythere.
tony
Head gasket would have flooded everything correct? Anyway, It might be wise for me to get new car. The Sienna is 300K miles right now. Original engine. Transmission, Suspension, etc.... I do repairs myself. brakes, radiator, alternator, belts, starter, etc.... Anything that requires replacing.
Thanks for info. BTW, I see you are from So Cal. Which part? I am from general area.
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you pinned it way to go going myself that route dual purpose rad suck 1 or the other can leak may as well keep them appart oil with oil and coolant with coolant
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