Transmission Fluid in Cooling system

Replace the trans cooler and flush the cooing system. also make sure your trans fluid is full.

The only way I could see the two fluids mixing is if you had a bad radiator (generally the tranny cooler is built into the rad.) why they didn't replace it is beyond me. Hopefully you have documented this whole mess in case the tranny is permanently damaged.

nate

Make sure you do a flush on your tranny as well (after you fix the radiator). Coolant/water will kill it, not necessarily right away, but will cause the friction surfaces to crumble off until it fails. Then you are in for a big repair bill (full rebuild).

Did you mention which engine you had in your 97 Passat?

I believe that the only way the fluids could mix is if the transmission fluid cooler went bad. This cooler is NOT part of the radiator but it sits on top of the transmission with coolant hoses running to it. I think you will need a new trans. cooler and 4 seals (2 different sizes). IIRC It is held on by 2 bolts and 2 hoses. Easy for you to change, but make sure the area is clean before you remove it. Pinch off the hoses and take them off before you remove the bolts. I think you lube the seals with a little ATF before installation and remember the different sizes of seals.

You might need a rebuilt transmission and definitely some cooling system flushes. I think some of the VW techs say to drain the cooling system and add distilled water and a little dishwasher powder to the cooling system and drive it for awhile. Do this several times until things clean up and then flush with distilled water until you think the soap is all gone. Then do it one more time for good measure. Drain the cooling system again and install your G12 coolant and distilled water and be happy! Now do the flushing AFTER you repair the trans cooler.

What did this "shop" do to fix the problem? AFAIK Only changing the hoses only drained some of your money out of your pocket. It would not have solved the original problem. :-(

Of course you are sure it is not motor oil in the coolant?

later, dave (One out of many Daves)