Radiator failing?

[arenal]

Hi I've just rebuilt my spider automatic 2000 1981 and noticed that there is a problem with transmission oil mixing with water in the radiator, (the water is a milky white/pink colour which looks the same as the transmission oil in the dip stick, leading me to think the two are mixing, question is it possible for the rad to fail internally and cause the oil and water to mix? luckly I have not driven the car yet but will this have damaged the tramsmission? I have removed the rad and drained the transmission, any advice on what to do next and advice appreciated guys.

[RRoller123]

Unfortunate problem, but most likely is head gasket failure, allowing engine oil to mix with coolant, which creates the white colored fluid.

[124JOE]

FLUSH IT ALL OUT
the tranz and the rad
dont put the tranz lines on and fill the rad
then watch the tranz cooler for antifreeze or water to leakout
if you see it leaking then you have to ether get a new rad
or have that one re done "acid boiled re seemed with new cooler tank"

[So Cal Mark]

the cooler in the radiator can definitely fail, causing the trouble you're having. You'll have to get a radiator shop to replace the cooler in the lower tank or use an external trans cooler in front of the radiator

[RRoller123]

oops my error, didn't read that you have an auto with a cooler.

[arenal]

Thanks guys I tought that was the problem all right, I guess a seperate cooler for the trans would be the best option just in case the rad fails again. Will this hamper the cooling of the main rad if put in front or is it better to replace both with newer Aluminium ones?

[124JOE]

no it wont hamper the cooling

but you may want to flush and plug the old holes,in the rad.
because if the cooler is cracked it will let the fluid in the cooler into the rad.
and without plugs it may leak coolant.

[arenal]

Thanks Joe, will let you know how I get on.

[arenal]

Hi guys finally got the rad repaired, turned out the joint where the pipe from the transmission joins with the rad had failed which was letting water and coolent mix with the transmission oil. Question I've emptyed out the transmission twice now but the transmission fluid is still turning pink and milky would there still be water in the transmission? how can you completly flush out the transmission. I've checked out the rad and there is no sign of oil entering the transmission (just in case the repair failed) so they are no longer mixing? leading me to believe there is still some water in the transmission. How many times do you need to flush it out? or is there another way to completly flush it out?

[arenal]

Done some research and found out that I need to cleanout the torque converter as it holds another 3 litres of oil, Im assuming you use the cooler line to push out the fluid when the engine is running?

[124cso]

If you have water in your auto trans, the ONLY way to get it all out is to pull the trans and strip it. If you leave it there it will stuff the trans. As well as causing rust and lack of lube factor, when trans gets hot it will turn to steam and stuff the seals and valves, as well as driving like shit !

Even to change the trans oil just for maintainance, you need to have it running with hoses to connections and run about 3 gallons of oil thru to get a full fluid change. Running it with water in it will cause all sorts of problems.