Water or Coolant Blended With the Transmission Fluid: Is the Gearbox Ruined?

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A silent killer of automated transmissions or gearboxes is water or coolant mixing with automated transmission fluid (ATF). This drawback was once seen in older autos with uncared for engine cooling methods, however is turning into widespread in later mannequin automobiles and vehicles which have adopted their upkeep schedules. The result’s all the time the identical: the transmission should be fully overhauled or changed.

Can the Contaminated Fluid be Cleaned Out Earlier than Injury Happens?

Nearly each automated transmission on the street at the moment makes use of cellulose primarily based paper lined plates known as clutches or frictions. These clutches act like brakes for transferring and stopping completely different parts contained in the gearbox. When the shifter is positioned into drive or reverse, it is the frictions which can be being utilized.

The paper that traces the clutch plates is a really delicate materials that’s glued to a metal spine. Earlier than the paper is glued to the plate, it has the power and consistency of a graham cracker. As soon as the fabric is bonded, it turns into a lot stronger and might final a really very long time underneath regular working situations.

The clutch materials is Hygroscopic. This implies when the clutches are uncovered to moisture, the paper materials will displace ATF for water. That moisture reaches the metal plates inflicting rust, and breaks down the glue that bonds the paper to the plate. A research finished by Worldwide Lubricants Inc in regards to the results of water uncovered to automated transmission clutches states, “The testing indicated that water added at ranges as little as 600 mg/kg migrated to the floor of untreated paper frictionals and contributed to lack of the paper coating and erratic torque switch properties.” In laymen’s phrases, which means lower than a tablespoon of water or engine coolant in a transmission could cause a failure.

How Did Water Get There?

There are 3 ways water can enter a transmission:

1. By means of the engine’s radiator. From the 1950’s to now, most automated gearboxes are cooled with the identical water primarily based system that retains the engine from overheating. There is a separate tank within the radiator for transmission fluid that enables the coolant to take warmth away from the ATF with out mixing the 2 liquids. When a leak happens between the ATF and engine coolant tanks within the radiator, the fluids will combine with one another. It was extra widespread in older autos that had eroded cooling methods resulting from neglect, however a few of at the moment’s newer autos are utilizing supplies which can be failing due to strain issues within the cooling system.
2. Publicity to deep water. Driving by means of massive puddles throughout rain storms or off street driving can expose the transmission’s respiratory system to moisture. The perfect probability of stopping a failure is to check for water in the ATF after a car has been in the sort of situation.
3. Moisture getting into by means of the dipstick. Most autos have a dipstick the place ATF is checked and added. Moisture can simply enter the transmission if the dipstick was sprayed with water throughout an engine cleansing, or in some instances, water draining from rain or a carwash drips onto the dipstick. GM and Chrysler have bulletins pertaining to this drawback on some fashions of their autos. Certified outlets could have entry to test for most of these bulletins. A inform story signal of this drawback is moisture or rust across the dipstick tube.

Substitute or Rebuild?

It depends upon how a lot water combined with the transmission fluid, how lengthy the car was pushed with the contaminated ATF, and the kind of gearbox your car has. Steel and digital elements contained in the transmission will shortly corrode when uncovered to moisture. If there’s an excessive amount of harm inside the gearbox, the price of the elements to rebuild the trans will exceed the price of changing the unit with a remanufactured product. Some producers like Nissan and Chevy have computer systems inside the gearbox that may fail when uncovered to moisture. These computer systems or mechtronics price as a lot as $2,000 and that doesn’t embody rebuilding the remainder of the unit. When elements price that a lot, it is usually a greater determination to exchange the gearbox solely.

To sum issues up, if water will get in a transmission, there is not any option to get round an costly restore. Flushing the fluid out will solely price you extra cash and might make the inevitable failure occur sooner. Service the engine’s cooling system often and ask knowledgeable transmission mechanic in case your automotive is widespread for the sort of failure. Whether it is, bypass the radiator with an exterior oil cooler.

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Source by Jon Rodriguez