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Strawberry Milkshake Transmission Fluid

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#1 ·
I've got no luck. I just replaced the transmission in my auto 2000 4.0 TJ in June and now I have stupid coolant line failure. I didn't think much of the tranny running extra hot this past week and after a night session of wheelin and getting stuck (see Exhibit A). I heard a whining while driving home; approx: 45 miles. I immediately dropped some mud and cursed because I knew it was transmission related. This morning when I checked the fluid, it was strawberry milkshake.

Could having had the radiator submerged allowed water to enter the transmission?

Also, could it be safe to say that the transmission repair company ensured that the vent on my transmission was properly plumbed?

My coolant levels were low and I didn't have enough time to check the rad for pink slop. I will provide ore picture tomorrow.

I plan on replacing the rad, flush and refill coolant and transmission. Is this the correct course of action?

Exhibit A:
Electronics Reflection Photography Vehicle Car
 
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#3 ·
Could having had the radiator submerged allowed water to enter the transmission?
Maybe. But having the tranny under like that will do it. There's a weep hole where transfer case and tranny meet, water could get in there through the tranny rear seal. I'm sure there's other entry points. Sucks.
 
#6 ·
Newby here, first post but my cents worth. If water hasn't entered through the tranny breather then it's a good bet that the tranny line running through the bottom of the radiator has sprung a leak, a common problem with the older auto's. Normally one of the first things on the improvement list is to put an external cooler in place, I'm surprised the tranny shop didn't recommend this to you, as prevents leak problems and the tranny runs a whole lot cooler especially if towing or low speed. You don't need anything fancy, just get it out of the hot water in the Radiator. It'll run a lot better.
 
#9 · (Edited)
I've got no luck. I just replaced the transmission in my auto 2000 4.0 TJ in June and now I have stupid coolant line failure. I didn't think much of the tranny running extra hot this past week and after a night session of wheelin and getting stuck (see Exhibit A). I heard a whining while driving home; approx: 45 miles. I immediately dropped some mud and cursed because I knew it was transmission related. This morning when I checked the fluid, it was strawberry milkshake.

Could having had the radiator submerged allowed water to enter the transmission?

Also, could it be safe to say that the transmission repair company ensured that the vent on my transmission was properly plumbed?

My coolant levels were low and I didn't have enough time to check the rad for pink slop. I will provide ore picture tomorrow.

I plan on replacing the rad, flush and refill coolant and transmission. Is this the correct course of action?

Exhibit A:
View attachment 2465730
If you don't get it flushed by today, it'll be too late. As said above, there are some water soluble glues used inside an automatic and they won't last long.

Don't just drop the transmission pan, the entire transmission must be flushed and refilled with fresh ATF+4, no other type of ATF will do. Hurry, this job can't wait. I hate to say that it may already be too late.
 
#11 ·
I think we got to it in time. We did 3 flushes. I blow compressed air through the the trans coolant line and didn't see any coolant from the rad. Rad levels were strong and have held up. However, we did find a lot of sludge in the transmission.

Bonus for me: it's no longer running insanely hot. It is comparable to my buddy's 5sp. Before, it was unbearable and painful. I'm thinking the guys at the transmission shop did a poor job.

During the first flush, the pan fell as soon as we loosened the last bolts; I didn't have to pry it off. I mention this because after I tightened the pan back on to do the subsequent flushes, I had to pry it off. At first, i thought the issue was the reusable gasket; however, no issues after I tightened the pan.

Pics are here: StrawberryMilkShake - Album on Imgur
 
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