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2002 Chevy Malibu - Leaking Trans Fluid / Trans Fluid in Radiator
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varactor
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Feb 23, 2012, 7:46 AM
Post #1 of 13
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2002 Chevy Malibu - Leaking Trans Fluid / Trans Fluid in Radiator
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2002
Chevy
Malibu
V6 3.1
119,000
Wife and I went on a trip last week and found a nice looking 2002 malibu for a 600 bucks. We weren't even looking but it seemed like a deal, I knew something might be wrong, but took a chance. I drove it home, 3 hours straight, no overheating, no gears slipping, it ran really well.
I got home and noticed a trail of liquid/fluid going up my driveway and into the garage. First thing I did was check the coolant, it was pinkish and oily, sort of sweet smelling, but none of the hoses were dripping or leaking.
I started the car back up and took another look, at the bottom of the radiator, more towards the passenger side, there was a line running in that had been secured with a zip tie, and there was fluid misting out of the line. I'm pretty sure its tranny fluid, its reddish.
Checked the oil, that is still fine.
My question is... would the lack of that clamp allow tranny fluid to enter the cooling system, or is that a seperate problem all together? What would be the best coarse of action to fix this problem?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 23, 2012, 7:51 AM
Post #2 of 13
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Re: 2002 Chevy Malibu - Leaking Trans Fluid / Trans Fluid in Radiator
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Probably a bad radiator with a leaking trans cooler. Easy fix but the damage it did may not be. Check the trans fluid and if it has any contamination at all, don't drive the car. Have it towed to a shop that will flush all the fluid and pray it's not too late. As for the oil in the cooling system, flushing with water and dishwashing liquid will get that clean.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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varactor
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Feb 23, 2012, 8:05 AM
Post #3 of 13
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Re: 2002 Chevy Malibu - Leaking Trans Fluid / Trans Fluid in Radiator
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Thanks for your help, so when I check the trans fluid, if it looks normal then I shouldn't have any worries other than getting the two radiators replaced?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 23, 2012, 8:35 AM
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Re: 2002 Chevy Malibu - Leaking Trans Fluid / Trans Fluid in Radiator
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Two radiators? Never saw that - you may be looking at the A/C condenser which looks like a radiator but not involved.
Just to add to Hammer's suggestion that are on target it's probably the radiator itself and fix the wire tied line just because it should be better than that.
Also, keep a sharp eye on condition of cooling system hoses as most don't like an oil in or on them and could get real soft depending on how long they were exposed to how much ATF. If you just feel them or observed any bloating all of them should be replaced IMO so you don't add that to future troubles. Just pray that coolant never got into trans and you'll survive this without hysterical expense,
T
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varactor
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Feb 23, 2012, 8:51 AM
Post #5 of 13
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Re: 2002 Chevy Malibu - Leaking Trans Fluid / Trans Fluid in Radiator
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I'm just calling the trans cooler a radiator. I'll just take it to midas for something like this. Thank you all for your help.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 23, 2012, 9:03 AM
Post #6 of 13
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Re: 2002 Chevy Malibu - Leaking Trans Fluid / Trans Fluid in Radiator
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It is and comes with a new radiator hidden inside the end tank that trans lines go to. Whatever the reason for the wire tie thing may have stressed it or they can do that nasty trick with no provocation and really can't be fixed except for a new radiator,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 23, 2012, 9:08 AM
Post #7 of 13
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Re: 2002 Chevy Malibu - Leaking Trans Fluid / Trans Fluid in Radiator
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The trans cooler is internal to the radiator.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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varactor
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Feb 23, 2012, 9:12 AM
Post #8 of 13
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Re: 2002 Chevy Malibu - Leaking Trans Fluid / Trans Fluid in Radiator
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Alright, I was not aware of that... Even if a flush and new radiator is a few hundred, I'm pretty happy with the find.
Many thanks
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varactor
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Feb 23, 2012, 9:16 AM
Post #9 of 13
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Re: 2002 Chevy Malibu - Leaking Trans Fluid / Trans Fluid in Radiator
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I'm mechanically inclined just not to interested in cars, do you think replacing the radiator myself and getting a tow to the shop for the flush and all will work out?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 23, 2012, 9:26 AM
Post #10 of 13
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Re: 2002 Chevy Malibu - Leaking Trans Fluid / Trans Fluid in Radiator
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I'm not there to see the condition of your system so I can't answer that. The cooling system can be flushed without any permanent damage. It's the transmission that is at great risk if it got contaminated.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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varactor
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Feb 23, 2012, 1:19 PM
Post #11 of 13
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Re: 2002 Chevy Malibu - Leaking Trans Fluid / Trans Fluid in Radiator
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Alright, one last post.... I've decided to do most of this on my own.
I bought a new radiator from amazon, since the radiator I have now is busted I'd image I'll be flushing the system once the new one is installed, correct?
second, tow the car to have the tranny flushed, and see what happens after that.
Could anything else be done to help the process, or would that be about it?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 23, 2012, 1:29 PM
Post #12 of 13
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Re: 2002 Chevy Malibu - Leaking Trans Fluid / Trans Fluid in Radiator
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Your call on anything of course. Do flush out the cooling system of all ATF even soap they get that out too. Trans if zero evidence is just not wasting $$ and if just a tad of coolant/antifreeze got in might be fine but should be good for it no matter.........
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 23, 2012, 4:20 PM
Post #13 of 13
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Re: 2002 Chevy Malibu - Leaking Trans Fluid / Trans Fluid in Radiator
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No, that won't work. The engine has to be run continuously with the thermostat removed to flush it and if the trans is going to be flushed, it can't be run before that. That's the whole reason for towing it. They pretty much have to be done simultaneously.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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