Transmission fulid in coolant resevoir
 

i put in drive and car not move when it hot.
i found the tranny fluid in coolant resevoir. coolant and fluid mixed
is it possible, the tranny warmer leaked?
or where they could leak?
my is 04 tl
any ideas guys thanks a lot.

Sounds like human error.

If you have trans fluid in your coolant, about the only place that could happen is the the radiator. Get a new radiator.

Unless you suspect someone put trans fluid in your coolant. That sounds like it would be unlikely.

Radiator. Better fix it before your tranny is hosed, if not already.

This seems to be an issue in 03-08 pilots as well, my wife's 05 pilot radiator had a leak last year and I replaced it but if you read their forums http://www.piloteers.org/forums/69-2...ance-100k.html people are replacing them at 100k miles because they have the tendency to split internally and have your trans fluid and coolant mix and kill the transmission

WOW, talk about a step backwards in quality... my 20 year old accord radiator is still good and the 12 year old CL-S one is still good

Yup, happened to my 07 TLS as well. Just replaced the radiator and flushed the transmission many times to remove the coolant from it...

On the 04, the tranny fluid not going to radiator.
What else could be?

I believe that there is a heat exchanger between coolant and transmission up under the air tube?

http://www.acuraoemparts.com/delray/...p401_atm07.png

See #2

Follow the two lines coming off the transmission, they should be below the intake area.

Where do they go? How could you get trans fluid in the coolant if the lines don't go to the radiator?

On my 07 TLS, the line that connects the heat exchanger to the radiator had cracked and thus mixing the coolant with the trans fluid.

no heat exchanger in the rad on 04TL it is on top of the transmission as indicated in the above pix (E15-10). The lines come off of the engine around the TB area

On the '04-'06, the heat exchanger sits on top of the transmission instead of being built into the radiator. Same thing, one brings coolant to the heat exchanger, one brings ATF to the exchanger in the radiator. When they leak you get the same result. ATF gets into the coolant while driving. When the engine is shut off, coolant gets into the transmission.

Coolant is extremely bad for the clutches in the AT. If it's not ruined already it will be shortly. Replace the exchanger, flush the transmission, and flush the cooling system.

I wouldnt replace the radiator just yet....

drain all the coolant...replace with any cheap coolant...run the car for a little bit and let the coolant run through the system....replace the coolant again...

I would do this twice and then finally run Acura Type II coolant....if all runs good, cool, else then I would replace the radiator...

^ why would he replace the rad? it is not possible for coolant to get into the trans fluid or vice versa from the rad. the exchanger on the 04TL is in the exact same place as the 01-03 TL/CL-S right on top of the transmission.

To replace it you have to (in a nut shell):

Remove upper air box

Remove intake tube

Disconnect the cooling lines from the big round circle thing (#1) and point them so that coolant cannot enter the top of the transmission.

Install new heat exchanger (#1) and make sure you place the seals (#2) on correctly and do not over torque

Reconnect cooling lines

Reconnect intake tube

Reconnect upper air box

Bleed system

Done

^^^ do you even read mah man?

all the posts above me (2,3,4,5,7) asked to replace the radiator...again am not sure what ATF does to the seals/etc or it might be stuck in the rad...hence suggested to flush the coolant couple times and if it leaks/etc then replace it...

To flush I would use half distilled water and half of the 50-50 Type II mix. This will give enough protection and lube for the water pump but not waste too much coolant. Only do this if temps stay above freezing. 170-200 degree water will clean the block, heads, and radiator just fine. I would run it for a day and drain it while warm. I would repeat until there's no more visible oil in the coolant. Transmission is top priority though. Drain and fill, start and idle for 5 minutes and drain and fill again and use the usual drain and fill process. Do not drive until a couple drains and refills have been done.

yes I can read

I am trying to tell you guys not to confuse the OP by constantly reminding you that it is an 04 TL and even provided the DIAGRAM showing you what needs to be fixed. (Post #9)

Yes on the 07 or newer TL you gotta do the rad, but he does not have one.

see I didnt ask if you could read but if you DO read...

i think you answered my question very well :)

^never mind you missed it. Flushing the system won't do squat until the op makes the repair as described in post #9. it is The ONLY place for trans fluid to get into the coolant and coolant into the trans on the OP's car.



How many times do I have to tell you that the 04 TL does not have a heat exchanger in the radiator?

DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT?

do I understand what?


:bitelip:

thanks guys
i will order the part e15-10 and try to flush tranny fluid and coolant. before rebuilt tranny.
how to flush all tranny fluid? i know a lot in torque converter

OP,

order part 19430-RCA-A51 (#1) in diagram

http://www.acuraoemparts.com/delray/...All&vinsrch=no

easliest way swap fluid is to

drain, fill and drive 10-15 miles.
repeat above 3x

This is the rare case where you don't want to drive the car between flushes. Drain and fill. Start it up and leave in park. You can bring the rpms up a little, say 1,500rpm if you want. Run for 5 minutes and drain and fill again.

You do not want to attempt to drive the car until you have most of the coolant out of the transmission. I'm usually optimistic but I can't think of a time when a transmission survived coolant contamination but maybe you'll be lucky if you caught it quick enough.

Once you've done at least two drain and refills with it in park, then you can start driving the car between refills.

not sure if this is a good method but it does switch all the fluid....

I have never tried the method either but here it is:

I didn't see the video but it looks like the cooler like method. I usually do it that way depending on how long it's been since the last change. That's a very good idea in his case.

^^^ yeah that is the cooler method...

Have not seen too many Honda transmissions survive for long after radiator or exchanger failure...sorry...might want to prepare yourself for rebuild.