OT GM auto trann cooler

[philcaseinWPA]

I need some help, advice, new truck??

We use a grumann step van on a Chevy chassis for market. On Fri the radiator overheated and there appeared to be oil in the coolant overflow. My mechanic says that the transmission cooler is in the radiator and if it gets a leak or breaks tranny fluid can get into the radiator and does not cool the engine prpoerly. I have several questions

1. Does the tranny fluid flow through the radiator or does coolant flow back to the tranny?

2, How much damage can this do to the tranny?

3. Any one have a good dependable and cheap 10 or 12' box van for sale?

The engine is a 350 if this helps any and the truck is a 1988. We only put about 2000 miles a year on it but we need a way to get to market 3 times a week. I'm renting a 15' box van now and that is too big and too expensive but I'm looking at some other rental offers also.

Thanks for any info

Phil

 

[olddog]

Put a good many mile in just such a setup. Did the trans still pull and shift OK when parked? Did ya do the motor in (damaged) overheated? The 350/400TH setup will stand a fair amount of abuse.
The trans has more pressure, so the oil went into the coolant. Flush the cooling system, plug the integral cooling coils, and install a big aftermarket trans cooler in front of the radiator. They need one anyway, cause of the design of the doghouse related to airflow.
Replace fluids and cross your fingers.

 

[Allan in NE]

Mornin' Phil,

That's a somewhat common occurance, not all that serious and a simple repair. It looks worse than it really is because of all the mess.

I'd just yank the radiator and send it out to a radiator shop for repair; they can clean that radiator and replace the bad cooler along with the tank gaskets.

While the truck is apart, I'd for sure replace the thermostat along with any belts/hoses that it needs and you might as well check that fan clutch hub for oil leakage out the front while you're at it because you can get a good bird's eye view of it with the radiator out.

If the internal transmission cooler oil leak was real bad, you'll want to flush the engine cooling system before refill too.

It hasn't hurt your tranny; doubt if the coolant even got to it. Pull the dipstick and see if the oil is a real faggy pink color instead of red. If it is, just service the transmission and you're on your way.

This breakdown isn't all that bad as ya might think.

Allan

 

[Anonymous-0]

Yes, the trans cools through the radiator. What you need to do is put an external cooler on and by-pass the radiator. You will need to have the radiator cleaned or run some flush through it. The only damage it does to the trans is running it low on fluid. Hope that helps.

 

[Leland]

a new radiator is a cheap fix compared to buying a new van that you really have no reason to replace

 

[philcaseinWPA]

Thanks for the info guys. I sort of suspected the same thing. My problem is that I am back at my real job and don't have time to do much except worry and fret. Just running the vegetable farm I was busy as a one armed paper hanger, now I'm as busy as a one armed paper hanger with an itch. Yeah Allan the tranny fluid is nice and pink and no foam and the engine oil is fine also. I have a radiator shop just out the road about 1 1/2 miles so if I can find the time or get some help I'll try to get the radiator out there. Been thinking about replacing this van before something happened
but reliable and cheap don't seem compatible.... except in the case of me I'm reliable and cheap

Phil

 

[Mike M]

I have a 1987 P30 with the 350 gas it does need some work as the tranny is bad and it won't move. I have been using it as a storage building.
Send me an email it is in Ohio near Wooster.