Trans fluid in my radiator! :(

[Ducki3]

Hello everyone!

 

Yesterday was a very sad day. I have a very well maintained 2009 Legacy 3.0R that suddenly was having trouble putting power through the drive line and temp started rising shortly after. I was able to limp it a few blocks to work and popped the hood when I got there to find my coolant reservoir blown open with coolant/trans fluid everywhere. I was extremely confused to how this could happen and then realized the trans cooler is in the radiator. My question for you guys is what are the chances the transmission has water in it? Because I feel like it almost certain that it does. Also what are the chances if it does, replacing the radiator and flushing both systems actually returns it back to 100%? I think I’m willing to pay for the flushes and radiation but a new trans I think would be where I would have to draw the line on this car. The car has over 300k and is in pretty amazing shape for the mileage and is in perfect mechanical condition otherwise and I just can’t bring myself to scrap it. Has anyone had a similar experience? What was your outcome?

 

Thanks I’m advance for your help in advance everyone!

[whitexc]

Not Subaru related but Nissan had an issue with the Xterra's having similar fate with the radiator. I think if caught and addressed soon enough and a full fluid change was done you should be back in business. 100%? It likely wasn't that prior due to mileage, fluid condition, etc.

 

 

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

[Pleides]

I'd also second that water in the trans won't instantly blow it up, but I'd tow it to a shop where you can do a transmission flush to get anything out of there that isn't trans fluid. Trans fluid in the coolant is more worrisome to me, but that's a bit easier to change out. Best of luck. I think you'll probably be fine.

[darthqwo]

wouldnt lose power unless ur majorly overheating from coolant loss; vbvut u still have coolant, so suggests the atf line got mixed with cool in trans doesnt have hydraulic pressure

 

reservoir usually overflows into from the rad top and is not pressurised--not even the radiator-- so unusual to blow open; got a pic?

 

if ur near sams club buy a 12qt of sam's atf for $22 and flush coolant through until no more coolant comes out lol; then buy idemitsu atf-hp and flush through by the amount of sams that went in; hope that helps. well maintained lol

[whitexc]

Good call on the cheap fluid flush followed by the Idemitsu.

 

He said the car has over 300k so I would say he did ok on maintenance......maybe not?

 

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

[darthqwo]

jess helpin out a brokie lol

[MoleMan]

Curious how many miles your 3 liter has on it?

 

Mine is currently sitting at 149,000 with zero issues. But I parked it a few years ago and stopped driving it daily and maybe drive it a few times a month or so.

[whitexc]

First post says he has just over 300k on it.....

 

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

[MoleMan]

First post says he has just over 300k on it.....

 

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

 

TY I missed that little tidbit. Well at least I made my stupid mistake of the day here and not a company wide email at work!

[whitexc]

Lol......good call!

 

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

[darthqwo]

she hasnt posted back about how it blew in the first place but ez30 are also prone to head gasket failure albeit generally not in timeframe of first owner. overheating can be symptom of imminent fail, but it is def driveable for a block or two; if radiator is pressurised enough from exhast gauses then it cracks, and hereby atf line can be damaged.

 

this can be remedied with an aluminum radiator, which will hold through that pressure, and a separate cooler for the atf line; however, the drawback is that you may be filling coolant by the block as coolant blows through the exhaust, but it is manageable if you are driving limited distances, and these parts carry over if you service or replace the motor

 

in this contingency HG repair costs can essentially total the vehicle. the alternative is to replace motor outright; if you source it from lkq the pricing on anything over 100k makes it very affordable, but in comparison 100k almost seems brand new. i def want to help her out the most i can so just wanted to mention

Edited November 17, 2021 by darthqwo

[Ducki3]

I probably worded that poorly. The engine runs perfectly fine. The trans was slipping on acceleration like it didn’t have fluid. I’m guessing that’s because it was low on trans fluid lol. I’d say I’m 95% sure it’s not the HGs, it was definitely overheating because the cooling system was full of trans fluid instead of water and antifreeze. What i know for sure is there isn’t fluid in the trans and the coolant is red. My mechanic told me the trans cooler blew up in the radiator so Im just going off of what my said. If I had somewhere to do a flush and replace the radiator I definitely would but I don’t. Thanks for the help though everyone.

[whitexc]

Is the car fixed or being fixed?

 

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

[Ducki3]

Nah, I actually just sold it today. If I would have done a transmission in it I would have been way over it’s worth with what I’ve put into already. Even if he has to do a trans he should still be into it for less than it’s worth so everyone is happy. Thanks everyone for the input!