Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2015 19:42:17 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: A/T problems -- fluid level high Removing the ATF cooler.
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When removing the ATF cooler the hoses should be blocked, not connected together. The ATF cooler is actually in a parallel flow with the radiator. Connecting the hoses together just makes a bypass path. Blocking them will make the system the same as the manual transmission vans.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Larry Alofs
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2015 11:58 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: A/T problems -- fluid level high
If the cooler has failed, you can couple the coolant hoses together, but you also should connect the two pipes on the cooler together. Else you may have ATF coming out there.
If you loosen the filler tube to drain the fluid, you can put it in a glass jar or something similar to inspect it. A mixture of ATF and coolant should separate somewhat, with the more dense coolant on the bottom.
Yes a number of cycles of fill and drain will be needed to remove contaminated fluid from the trans. Nearly half of it is in the torque converter and does not drain out. After each refill, run the trans for a short time, using all the gears, to get the mixture to become uniform again.
It is also worth asking if the ATF has gotten into the cooling system.
:-(
Larry A.
On Sun, Feb 22, 2015 at 10:59 AM, Rick Cooper <rickdcooper@gmail.com> wrote:
> After having the auto transmission in my '87 2WD overhauled last
> month, I noticed the ATF fluid level creeping up. I've only driven the
> vehicle three or four times, for a total of maybe 50 miles. When I
> checked today the fluid level was way, way up -- maybe 4 inches up the
> dipstick! I'm guessing the stock cooler has failed, and that I ought
> to have replaced it at the time of overhauling the transmission.
>
> What are the next steps now? Can I resolve the problem (pending
> installing a new cooler) by simply taking the stock cooler out of the
> equation? Is this as simple as connecting the coolant hoses together
> with a coupling or perhaps removing one and connecting the remaining
> hose to both connectors, thus creating a loop?
>
> What about the polluted ATF? Will a drain and refill eliminate the
> problem or do I need a more rigorous flushing procedure? Any and all
> advice much appreciated!
>
> Rick
>
