Coolant and Transmission Oil Not a Good Mix
This weekly feature for Warranty Direct about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America’s Car Show on satellite radio. Below are some recent Q&A from the America’s Car Show email bag.
Dear Tom,
I own a 2004 Dodge Neon that recently broke down because of a ruptured transmission oil cooler tank in the radiator. I took the car to a transmission shop and they told me that both the radiator and the transmission have to be replaced because the antifreeze and the transmission fluid mixed. Is this covered under a recall? Do I have to replace the transmission?
Michael from Williamsburg, VA
Michael,
Yes, the transmission must be replaced due to the failure of the transmission oil cooler in the radiator tank. When coolant mixes with transmission oil and circulates through the system, the transmission suffers severe damage. Rubber seals swell up and hydraulic pressure is lost within the unit. In addition, the coolant dissolves the glue that holds the clutches together inside the transmission. I checked my resources and this condition is NOT covered under a recall from Chrysler. Sorry for the bad news. Best to you.
Tom
Dear Tom,
I am trying to replace the thermostat in my ‘98 Chevy Blazer. However, I can’t locate it! I know it is either in the top or bottom hose, but it is hard to trace the hoses because everything is packed in so tightly and I don’t have a good light source. Do you have a diagram or can you point me in the right direction? Thanks!
Amy from Lowell, GA
Amy,
If you follow the upper radiator hose to the engine you will find the thermostat housing. The housing has two bolts that secure it to the engine. These need to be removed to gain access to the thermostat. When you replace it, make sure to thoroughly clean the housing and gasket mating-surface on the engine. Also, make sure the thermostat is installed right side up (spring down inside the engine). Success to you.
Tom
Dear Tom,
I recently revamped a ‘95 Nissan Pathfinder that had been sitting in a garage for three years. It runs great but the temperature gauge just stopped working. Any ideas what could be wrong?
Bill from Wilmington, DE
Bill,
To isolate the problem, find where the sending unit screws into the engine (usually in a water jacket on the intake manifold). Once you locate the sending unit, disconnect the wire that plugs into it. Then ground the wire while watching the gauge inside the truck. If the gauge goes too hot, the sending unit is defective and must be replaced. If the gauge does not move after grounding the sending unit wire, then there is a problem either with the wiring between the sender and the gauge in the dash, or with the gauge itself (defective). Good luck.
Tom
Dear Tom,
The dome light stays on after locking the doors on my 2000 GMC Jimmy. What’s the problem?
Rocky from Enid, OK
Rocky,
The interior lights in your truck are controlled by an electronic module. Either the module is not powering down the interior lights when the doors are closed, or the module is still sensing a door open from a faulty door-ajar switch in a door latch. Have a tech scan the system with a diagnostic computer in order to track down the problem.
Tom
Dear Tom,
The overhead temperature display on my Ford 150 is always showing 60C. Could you please tell me where the outside air temperature sensor is located so I can replace it? (I am assuming that the problem is with the sensor.)
Cal from Alberta, Canada
Cal,
The Ambient Temperature Sensor on your truck is located behind the grill near the hood latch. It has a round, black two-pin connector with light blue/orange and dark green wires. It could be the sensor, the wiring, or the processor inside the truck causing the malfunction. If the sensor replacement does not solve the problem, then have a diagnostic performed of the circuit that feeds that function. Success to you.
Tom
Dear Tom,
I own a ‘95 Chevy G20 van with 26,000 miles. There is a grinding noise in the passenger’s side of the rear brakes. It was okay for a while after I had new shoes installed. The dealer worked on the brakes and told me they cleaned them. Any solution?
Richard from Las Vegas, NV
Richard,
Were the drums resurfaced when the brake job was done? If not, I would pull them off, resurface them, and sand the brake shoes as well. Also, grind the ends of the shoe braking material at a 45-degree angle. That will take the sharp leading edge off the brake shoe. This procedure should take care of the noise.
Tom
Dear Tom,
I own a 2000 GMC Sonoma, Ext cab, V6, 2WD, automatic transmission. The truck has a 2-piece driveshaft. It vibrates at 35-40 mph and 70-75 mph (I don’t feel it in the steering). The vehicle also has new balanced tires. While checking the U-joints I noticed the carrier-bearing rubber mount seems to be distorted or collapsed toward the bottom, but there’s no free play up and down. Could this be causing the vibration?
Ed from West Seneca, NY
Ed,
I would recommend having the driveshaft checked for proper balance. When a ding or dent damages the shaft, it can get knocked out of balance causing a drivetrain vibration. The condition of the molded rubber mount of the carrier-bearing doesn’t sound too good either. Get the vehicle up on a lift and have it checked. If that bearing is allowed to jump up and down while driving the vehicle, a vibration will ensue. Good luck.
Tom
‘Til next time…Keep Rollin’
For more articles by Tom Torbjornsen, visit AMERICA’S CAR SHOW web site: www.americascarshow.com
Tom Torbjornsen is an automotive expert of 37 years. An automotive journalist in good standing with the IMPA (International Motor Press Association), Torbjornsen is the Repair and Maintenance Editor for AOL Autos, At Home Portals, and many other websites. Hear his radio show AMERICA’S CAR SHOW, on the Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel – Stars Too – Sirius 108 and XM 139; Sunday nights – 10PM – Mid EST. You can hear the live stream of the show at www.americascarshow.com Saturdays at Noon EST. Send your car questions to his website at: www.americascarshow.com.
Rate this article
(No Ratings Yet - Please Vote!)
Loading ...
Filed under: Americas Car Show, Auto News, Car News, Consumer Affairs, Maintenance, Vehicle Maintenance, Vehicle reliability, Vehicle repairs, Warranty Direct
Leave a Reply