Tranmission and Radiator

Since you mentioned a valve body, I'll assume you're talking about an automatic transmission since you didn't specify whether you were inquiring about a manual or automatic.

The radiator has a transmission cooler in it, and will be connected to lines from your transmission. Fluid from your transmission will flow through that part of the radiator. You'd best check a Haynes or Chilton manual (available at any auto parts store for around $10, or even your local public library) for more info. I only have experience with manual Saturn transmissions myself.

Good luck,Lane [ lane (at) evilplastic.com ]

Ditto what you say Lane, however, I cant seem to find detailed info pertaining to this in my Haynes, perhaps Chilton covers it.

marx404

Transaxle Oil Cooler.

There isnt detailed info in the GM ESI program either. You have a radiator inside a radiator and two lines connecting the transaxle and the radiator together. What else is there to know besides leak checking and flushing? I dont really understand the question.

Sorry I didn't give more detail.

This is an automatic transmission. A Saturn Service center put in a rebuilt tranmission. Shortly thereafter, the coolant level light came on because it was low on fluid. When we go to replace the fluid, the overflow tank starts to fill and then the fluid starts spilling out from under the car from somewhere.

We thought that perhaps the transmission was linked to the radiator by a hose, and that somehow that hose was not properly connected when the transmission work was done. Is this even a possibility?

It sounds like the transmission cooler that is inside the radiator is bad. The transmission and radiator are connected by steel lines, but the transmission fluid and the engine coolant are supposed to be isolated from each other. Likely that a new radiator is in order. Hopefully, you haven't had coolant get into the transmission.

Ken

Uh... I'm pretty sure that the saturn automatic tranny actually has engine coolant going through it. Well, not directly - but through a heat exchange unit somewhere in the transmission. The 'cooler inside the radiator' sounds kindof far-fetched to me since the difference between the manual and auto trans radiator is only a couple of fittings attached to the "tank ends".

Huhhhhhhh? Behold a heat exchanger inside the "radiator" tank.

Uh... I'm pretty sure you don't know what you're talking about. The fittings are what connect the transmission fluid lines to the radiator, where a heat exchanger is located that is bathed in radiator fluid . There may be a system like you describe, but not on anything I've ever worked on.

And exactly why are you "pretty sure" of this nonsense?

The transmission cooler is inside the radiator on almost every modern vehicle made. The lines run to/from the trans and enter and leave through the tank end.

Bob

I stand corrected... (with only ONE out off 14 cars and trucks I've ever owned that has an automatic transmission).