Root Beer Float
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 425
Likes: 72
From: Aroostook County, Maine
Root Beer Float
Truck just got back from shop where transmission was dropped to fix 1st gear synchro and install new clutch. I have only put 6 miles on it and I noticed a layer in the degas bottle. Smelled it and was surprised it was ATF. WTF? I thought - erroneously - that that small heat exchanger up front down low was the cooler, so it was puzzling to me how the ATF wound up in there. I soon learned that the trans cooler is nested within main rad.
Obviously a rad failure. But is this one of those deals where the transmission case and guts were all spiffied up, the lines blown out, and now that internal pump is able to create enough pressure that it exposed the old rad? 2002 truck with 127k, so could be original radiator.
Alternatively, could it be the rad or return line is plugged and the deadhead trans pump pressure is enough to blowout the rad guts?
I will cut/cap the lines, flush both systems, then deal with replacing the rad a little later. I'm pretty sure I don't have to worry about ZF6 overheating this time of year (no towing forecast for several months).
I'm guessing this is closer to one of those coincidence things. Anything else I need to consider here?
Obviously a rad failure. But is this one of those deals where the transmission case and guts were all spiffied up, the lines blown out, and now that internal pump is able to create enough pressure that it exposed the old rad? 2002 truck with 127k, so could be original radiator.
Alternatively, could it be the rad or return line is plugged and the deadhead trans pump pressure is enough to blowout the rad guts?
I will cut/cap the lines, flush both systems, then deal with replacing the rad a little later. I'm pretty sure I don't have to worry about ZF6 overheating this time of year (no towing forecast for several months).
I'm guessing this is closer to one of those coincidence things. Anything else I need to consider here?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2019
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From: Northern California
I curious, how many passes?
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 425
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From: Aroostook County, Maine
The fittings, eh? As in the one for the return has pinched the line? That type of thing?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: N.GA Mountains
One pass. It’s a single tube from fitting to fitting inside the radiator IIRC. I’ve got a few scrap radiators and will confirm later.
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However, a small stacked plate is what I would have expected.
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 425
Likes: 72
From: Aroostook County, Maine
Does anyone know what the flare fitting spec is for the connection into the radiator? 5/8" thread OD is about all I can sort out.
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Tuned
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From: Aroostook County, Maine
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Cross-Country
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Can just the fittings be replaced if the rest of the radiator is good OR does the whole radiator need to be replaced?
I was just under my truck this afternoon and noticed the fittings do not look too healthy.
Timely topic. Thanks.
I was just under my truck this afternoon and noticed the fittings do not look too healthy.
Timely topic. Thanks.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 425
Likes: 72
From: Aroostook County, Maine
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
Did not have a chance to take a radiator apart yesterday. Hopefully the rain will stop by the time I finish Dr appt’s and other errands this AM and I’ll do it then.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
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From: Douglassville, PA
I see that you are up in ME, do you tow heavy? My E99 does not have the trans cooler in the radiator and I have no issues but I do not tow heavy through mountains. I have towed heavy around here with no problems.
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 425
Likes: 72
From: Aroostook County, Maine
Yes in Maine. Towing anything that could cause high trans temps - infrequently. For the time being I'm not too worried about cooling the fluid. I just want to plug the cooler ports on the radiator so I can reuse the lines once a new rad comes in. I can jumper the 2 lines together temporarily to preserve the actual loop.
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 425
Likes: 72
From: Aroostook County, Maine
My 6/98 had the cooler lines to the radiator. Mine was a Lariat, so I don't know if that has anything to do with it. Did yours just never come with one, or has it been removed/capped off?