New Radiator can cause Transmission leak? Inhibiter instead of coolant?

[VS Omega]

Car came back from the mechanic with a new radiator (took it because it needed one BAD) on Monday. Took it for a 20 minute each way trip just yesterday and today noticed a puddle of transmission fluid (car's too low to see where it's coming from exactly but the puddle is under the tranny) under the car.

Are these components in any way related to each other, is it a coincidence or did the mechanic break the gearbox to get more business?

Also the mechanic said not to use coolant (apparently why mine rusted through), he said instead to just use inhibitor and water. The owners manual doesn't say that, it says coolant and those coolant tablets.

Is the car in need of a new mechanic or does this guy know his stuff?

Thanks

[Reaper]

The radiator may have a transmission cooler integrated into it. This may be leaking tranny fluid but will probably be from the front. It may be a co-incidence. Crawl under the car and see where it is coming from.

Reaper

[ImAHoon!]

the trans fluid could be running back along the transmission cooler lines from the radiator.

coolant IS an inhibitor.

you should be running 33% ethylene glycol, which is about $18 for 5 litres, not the $4 a bottle stuff (which is still better than nothing, but not what should be used)

[DannyboyDS]

$4 = green water, nothing more.

[VS Omega]

Thanks for the ideas guys, decided to try the ramps, had to do it off the driveway or else the bumper would have been ripped off... took some photos though I'm not sure where the leak is, just where it looks like fluid has gone. Is it possible the new radiator could have caused excess pressure making the trans gasket blow out?

I got my radiator done at the exact same time from the same guy (though a few hours later), and noticed the day after at work (was raining in the morning) a small rainbow trail (like bleeding) leading to my car, with a small bit under the car - does trans fluid make rainbows in water? I really should check my levels to see what was leaking/how they're going but right now a bit too busy (Christmas in 3h17m)

If he didn't relieve the pressure and the trans gaskets are gone (if it's possible) I'm going to take the cars back there when he opens up again and demand he fixes them... just need to know if it's a possibility.

Oh, and it leaks on the exhaust causing it to make thick white smoke

Thanks heaps guys

[hako]

Thats the power steering rack leaking - it has the same oil as the transmission - red.....and will make rainbows. Probably coincidental that it leaks now,,,,mine leaks in the same area.

[Harvs82]

I reckon thats leaking from the transmission pan gasket, and possibly the selector shaft seal too, its almost identical to what happened on the parent's VS.

As for the mechanic saying to only use old school inhibitor and water, what a load of crap. Use the genuine holden coolant concentrate, 50% concentrate and 50% water mix, and you can't go wrong. I ran that recommended mix for 12 years in my VS Berlina, religiously changing it every 2 years, and when I sold the car it had 200,000km on it, and the only part of the cooling system that had been touched was a new water pump at 180,000km. There was absolutely NO rust or anything in the radiator etc at all. Proof is in the pudding there for me, use the genuine product at the correct dosage and change when recommended, and you can't go wrong. I'd be dumping and flushing whatever is in your cooling system now, and replace with the genuine equivalent, which is stronger than 33%. The holden stuff is about $45 for 4 litres, but there are a couple of manufacturers that make coolant specifically for the c'dore V6 engine. You'll need 6 litres btw.

[dufus]

you should be running 33% ethylene glycol,

Recommended 50/50 ethylene glycol coolant and water.

[VS Omega]

Thats the power steering rack leaking - it has the same oil as the transmission - red.....and will make rainbows. Probably coincidental that it leaks now,,,,mine leaks in the same area.

I thought it could be a possibility in the wifes car because her car does have heavy power steering (really heavy - but always has), but upon checking the transmission fluid and seeing it nearly empty I'm 99% certain it has to be from the transmission. Interestingly my car is also empty - I did a trans service including new filter, gasket and fluid just over a month ago. Both cars had no leaks what so ever, especially not my transmission.

I reckon thats leaking from the transmission pan gasket, and possibly the selector shaft seal too, its almost identical to what happened on the parent's VS.

As for the mechanic saying to only use old school inhibitor and water, what a load of crap. Use the genuine holden coolant concentrate, 50% concentrate and 50% water mix, and you can't go wrong. I ran that recommended mix for 12 years in my VS Berlina, religiously changing it every 2 years, and when I sold the car it had 200,000km on it, and the only part of the cooling system that had been touched was a new water pump at 180,000km. There was absolutely NO rust or anything in the radiator etc at all. Proof is in the pudding there for me, use the genuine product at the correct dosage and change when recommended, and you can't go wrong. I'd be dumping and flushing whatever is in your cooling system now, and replace with the genuine equivalent, which is stronger than 33%. The holden stuff is about $45 for 4 litres, but there are a couple of manufacturers that make coolant specifically for the c'dore V6 engine. You'll need 6 litres btw.

Very informative read, will definitely be using a mixture the same as is recommended (not going to buy Holden brand). He said I had air in my system (explains the bubbling noise I heard sometimes), probably happened because the last time I did my own coolant change (though using what the owners manual says). He told me to come back in a couple of months to flush it out and get rid of the air. He did both cars in about 2 hours.

I'm getting a new damned mechanic, this has to be his fault. Because it's the holiday season now (no one's open) and both cars shouldn't be driven like this we're in a very bad position.

[Harvs82]

I thought it could be a possibility in the wifes car because her car does have heavy power steering (really heavy - but always has), but upon checking the transmission fluid and seeing it nearly empty I'm 99% certain it has to be from the transmission. Interestingly my car is also empty - I did a trans service including new filter, gasket and fluid just over a month ago. Both cars had no leaks what so ever, especially not my transmission.



Very informative read, will definitely be using a mixture the same as is recommended (not going to buy Holden brand). He said I had air in my system (explains the bubbling noise I heard sometimes), probably happened because the last time I did my own coolant change (though using what the owners manual says). He told me to come back in a couple of months to flush it out and get rid of the air. He did both cars in about 2 hours.

I'm getting a new damned mechanic, this has to be his fault. Because it's the holiday season now (no one's open) and both cars shouldn't be driven like this we're in a very bad position.

Whereabouts are you? If you are in Melbourne I can recommend the workshop where I used to go when I had my Berlina. Regarding the coolant, they are all around about the same price, whether or not you get the Holden stuff or the other stuff. I used to get one of the 5L Holden bottles and one of their 1L bottles. From memory it was about $55 or so for both. It really is a far superior quality coolant compared to some of the other stuff out in the market. I also replaced the thermostat last time I did my coolant too, makes it MUCH easier to flush out the block properly and stick the new stuff in. PM me if you need some more info.

[VS Omega]

Whereabouts are you? If you are in Melbourne I can recommend the workshop where I used to go when I had my Berlina. Regarding the coolant, they are all around about the same price, whether or not you get the Holden stuff or the other stuff. I used to get one of the 5L Holden bottles and one of their 1L bottles. From memory it was about $55 or so for both. It really is a far superior quality coolant compared to some of the other stuff out in the market. I also replaced the thermostat last time I did my coolant too, makes it MUCH easier to flush out the block properly and stick the new stuff in. PM me if you need some more info.

I'm in the northern suburbs (Epping), guess it really depends on price at the time for me, Holdens won't have a special on but for example tomorrow Autobarn has 20% off storewide. Though I'm starting to get sick of doing work myself, would rather leave it to a reputable workshop willing to have their sticker on the car (as they wouldn't want people to see it broken on the side of road), though I guess they would have their own coolants

[Tree cutter]

I think you will find that he has left a trans cooler hose loose where it goes into the radiator. The trans fluid will blow back onto your steering rack and exhaust when you are driving. You should only need a screwdriver to tighten the hose clamp.

[VS Omega]

I think you will find that he has left a trans cooler hose loose where it goes into the radiator. The trans fluid will blow back onto your steering rack and exhaust when you are driving. You should only need a screwdriver to tighten the hose clamp.

Definitely going to look at this tomorrow, thanks Tree!

[Harvs82]

I'm in the northern suburbs (Epping), guess it really depends on price at the time for me, Holdens won't have a special on but for example tomorrow Autobarn has 20% off storewide. Though I'm starting to get sick of doing work myself, would rather leave it to a reputable workshop willing to have their sticker on the car (as they wouldn't want people to see it broken on the side of road), though I guess they would have their own coolants

The other option is that you can buy your own coolant and tell the workshop to use that in your car... I've even done that at the stealership with engine oil, particularly when I had the Berlina, as they would put 10w-30 or something ridiculously light like that in it, instead of the recommended 20w-50 grade. If you do go to Autobarn or Supercheap (I think they both have sales on tomorrow and Saturday) have a look for the Tectaloy stuff, they have a pretty good name, and I know that they make one specifically for the commodore V6 engine, its printed on the labelling, so maybe check that out, but I don't know if they do it in a bigger sized container though.

[Harvs82]

The other thing you can do is degrease the whole engine and transmission, check all your levels and top up if necessary, as well as checking those trans cooler line hose clamps.... if your car went in for the recall back in the day it should have TWO clamps at each end of each trans cooler line hose.

Once everything has dried off etc, it should give you an indication over the next day or two where the leak is coming from. Remember that the trans fluid has to be checked when hot, and preferably after driving atleast 24km.

[VS Omega]

The other option is that you can buy your own coolant and tell the workshop to use that in your car... I've even done that at the stealership with engine oil, particularly when I had the Berlina, as they would put 10w-30 or something ridiculously light like that in it, instead of the recommended 20w-50 grade. If you do go to Autobarn or Supercheap (I think they both have sales on tomorrow and Saturday) have a look for the Tectaloy stuff, they have a pretty good name, and I know that they make one specifically for the commodore V6 engine, its printed on the labelling, so maybe check that out, but I don't know if they do it in a bigger sized container though.

Tectaloy is the one I used when I did the coolant myself last time, though I didn't put the cooling tablets in (will never make that mistake again). Thanks for your help Harvs

[dufus]

Tectaloy is the one I used when I did the coolant myself last time, though I didn't put the cooling tablets in (will never make that mistake again). Thanks for your help Harvs

Those tablets are just crushed walnut shells and fill any tiny leaks, not that big of a deal if you forget them.

[Harvs82]

Tectaloy is the one I used when I did the coolant myself last time, though I didn't put the cooling tablets in (will never make that mistake again). Thanks for your help Harvs

Yeah don't worry about the coolant tablets... not needed these days. I think they were a carryover from the VN days... but I only used them once, and never again, and never had any troubles.

[VS Omega]

Crushed walnut shells?! :|

I want to tighten up those hoses, only I can't actually find them - attached a pic of where I think they are but absolutely no idea (if further down why would the mechanic disconnect them?). I want to tighten those before degreasing because I don't want to fill the cars up with coolant to loose them all for no reason because it did end up being the hose mentioned earlier.

Also, wifes car has this thing in front of the radiator where as mine doesn't - is this a trans cooler or something else? Thought they all had trans coolers?

Finally, I took the radiator cap off 20 mins after a drive and "coolant" was coming out of the cap, not heaps but a bit, is this normal and is the colour? He did say I needed to take it back later on to get flushed because the rust got into the block or something

All comments and suggestions welcome - thanks for the patience so far guys

[HARVZ-6]

in your wifes car thats another oil cooler for the trans...
a good idea if you tow anything to reduce the risk of frying your trans..

yes those lines are the trans lines make sure they are nice and tight

and id say your mechanic just wacked a new radiator in and didnt flush the system properly..

trick is using the hose blast water the opposite way it would normaly flow through the radiator and engine you do have to remove the thermostat to do so!

and always use coolant concentrate not premix! remember the block holds alot of water which you will never get all out so using concentrate add the correct amount to how much the system holds and top up with water that way the mixture will be correct

[VS Omega]

Thanks for your reply harvy1, interesting about that trans cooler - person must have ticked a lot of boxes when ordering that executive (it has no towbar!). He didn't flush it properly because it was a rush job, I might have to flush it out myself later on after the car stops losing trans fluids

In this photo:


is where I circled the only place where the person fitting the new radiator would need to connect/disconnect the transmission line? (the two hoses over the metals with the clamps) because I had a look and all connections are pretty tight, plus I can't figure out how if it's coming out of there it could be on the exhaust next to the transmission sump because the engine's in the way, and also on the transmission sump itself? Is it possible mechanic could have disconnected it further up, say near the gearbox?

If not then my leak is 90% not those hoses being lose because it's impossible for the trans fluid to be on top of the exhaust next to the gearbox, in which case I need a definite answer on if it's possible for the trans gasket to somehow blow from a radiator change? Will degrease it soon but really don't want to drive it with no trans fluid lol

In this photo of the gearbox note the fluid on the exhaust on the left of the image, and dripping off the sump at the front (those triangle things): http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/...4122008429.jpg

Thanks all

[ImAHoon!]

lol, even if all the mechanic did was remove and replace the radiator, and refill it, without flushing anything, it should NOT be that colour, EVER!

[Harvs82]

Crushed walnut shells?! :|

I want to tighten up those hoses, only I can't actually find them - attached a pic of where I think they are but absolutely no idea (if further down why would the mechanic disconnect them?). I want to tighten those before degreasing because I don't want to fill the cars up with coolant to loose them all for no reason because it did end up being the hose mentioned earlier.

Also, wifes car has this thing in front of the radiator where as mine doesn't - is this a trans cooler or something else? Thought they all had trans coolers?

Finally, I took the radiator cap off 20 mins after a drive and "coolant" was coming out of the cap, not heaps but a bit, is this normal and is the colour? He did say I needed to take it back later on to get flushed because the rust got into the block or something

All comments and suggestions welcome - thanks for the patience so far guys

Righto.... a few things here...

Firstly, your radiator cap shouldn't be leaking at all, full stop. So you need to replace that first off. The coolant looks like rusty old water and scale, which is definately NOT right. It should be a really bright green colour. So you really need to completely flush the entire cooling system asap.

Regarding the transmission coolers, is your wife's car a series II VS? If so, she has the auxilliary transmission cooler which was fitted as standard on series II VS cars. Series I cars didn't have this extra cooler unless you optioned up the tow pack, I think it came with the 1600 and 2100kg kits, and also included a power steering cooler and bracing in the boot.

The trans coolers that are on the series I VS are integrated with the radiator side tanks, and thats what the two red/brown hoses are connected to in your photos. These don't look like proper oil hoses either, and you don't have the two clips at each end by the looks of things either. I'd HIGHLY recommend that you replace these two hoses with the proper oil cooler hose (you can buy it by the metre at most auto shops) and also get the correct clamps too.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news... but hopefully you can get this all sorted out asap.

[Harvs82]

Thanks for your reply harvy1, interesting about that trans cooler - person must have ticked a lot of boxes when ordering that executive (it has no towbar!). He didn't flush it properly because it was a rush job, I might have to flush it out myself later on after the car stops losing trans fluids

In this photo:


is where I circled the only place where the person fitting the new radiator would need to connect/disconnect the transmission line? (the two hoses over the metals with the clamps) because I had a look and all connections are pretty tight, plus I can't figure out how if it's coming out of there it could be on the exhaust next to the transmission sump because the engine's in the way, and also on the transmission sump itself? Is it possible mechanic could have disconnected it further up, say near the gearbox?

If not then my leak is 90% not those hoses being lose because it's impossible for the trans fluid to be on top of the exhaust next to the gearbox, in which case I need a definite answer on if it's possible for the trans gasket to somehow blow from a radiator change? Will degrease it soon but really don't want to drive it with no trans fluid lol

In this photo of the gearbox note the fluid on the exhaust on the left of the image, and dripping off the sump at the front (those triangle things): http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/...4122008429.jpg

Thanks all

Just looking at your latest post, they are definately the trans cooler hoses, but you can see that its leaking quite heavily on the bar below... so I'd be replacing both hoses and all clamps and then topping up with trans fluid.

[PSYKO PHOENIX]

gutted about your leakin trans! i think i might have a similer problem but not as majior as yours!! how ever next weekend im putting a new radiator in my VS now youve got me all worried that im gunna **** it up and do more damage than good, im not sure how to fix the problem that your having but i will be watching your thread closely, thanks for bring it up so i know what to look for, and over all good luck in getting it sorted!

as for the mecanic, ive herd a cresant wrench or wheel brace to the head fixes most problems with that paticular model, hahahaha

seriously tho good luck bro