My car is overheating. i got water in my transmission, and transmission fluid in my water. is it my radiator? can my transmission cooling lines be backwards? my car is not smoking and no water is comming from my tailpipe and im not losing motor oil. plus my compression is holding so im hoping my gasket is still good. my car is a 2000 plymoth neon 2.0 with a/c

Hi Chris:
- Sometimes (make that most of the time) when they ship new radiators there are plastic plugs in the openings where the hoses and lines attach. Double check to make sure these were removed when the new radiator was installed.
- Check the level of the fluid in the transmission. It is possible that a lot drained out when the radiator was being replaced.
Just a question, but if the lines are re-connected and the fluid has been topped up, where is it that you don't think you're getting fluid?
heers

Engine overheated? Which also affects transmission oil temperature - trans fluid is dark and smells burnt? You have probably toasted friction surface (I think it would be a band) that applies reverse. Internal problems requiring repair. About the only thing you could do is change the fluid and filter - add some "Trans-X" as part of the replacement fluid. It may or may not work. Severe overheating of the transmission oil does usually cause internal damage to a transmission.
Let me know if this helps you at all

There are some items to check:

1. Check the transmission fluid level to be sure it isn't too low or too high. The vehicle must be parked on a level surface, be warmed up and be running (idling) to check the fluid. The fluid should be dark red and not have a burned smell. If the transmission fluid is milky colored and way too full, it may mean that there is an internal leak in the transmission cooler tank inside the radiator.
2. When was the last time the transmission fluid was changed? Check your owner's manual if you have one and see what the recommended fluid/filter change intervals are.
3. The transmission cooler lines - look for any kinks, damage or leaks. If there are rubber hose segments in the cooler lines, the hoses can sometimes partially collapse internally and not be visible externally. This usually only occurs on vehicles with high mileage.
4. Check the condition of the engine coolant and antifreeze. The anti-freeze and water mixture should test out to provide freeze protection to about 20 below zero. If the solution it too weak, adequate cooling may not be taking place. Old coolant can be contaminated and dirty, and also cause overheating of the transmission.
5. Check to make sure the engine radiator isn't obstructed by debris or dirty and that the radiator fan is working properly. You didn't say anything about engine overheating, so there probably isn't an issue with the engine thermostat or other engine cooling problem

your transmission fluid lines run thru the radiator's transmission cooling cell. When the radiator springs an internal leak, it contaminates the trans fluid with coolant/water mix, giving it the milky pink appearance. Replace radiator and flush transmission.

The transmission is cooled by the radiator. The transmission cooling lines go into the radiator where Inside the radiator these is a heat exchanger that has sprung a leak. This is where your fluids are mixing. Your radiator is loosing coolant into the transmission ( not a good thing ) . Your transmission fluid is now contaminated and may fail soon unless the problem is fixed quickly,however the damage has already been done. At the very least you will have to replace the radiator, flush the cooling system and flush the transmission and install a new transmission filter.

u need to see a specialist to look at your car, it probably is mixing fluid, give attention to the head and gasket. Make sure your car's themostat/water pump are in good working order. Good luck.

Your transmission is probably overheating. How many miles are on the vehicle, and have you had the transmission fluid flushed, and filter changed lately?

You could 1st start checking the fluid flow thru the radiator cooling lines by removing the lower trans. cooling line, aim the hose into a drain pan then starting the vehicle in park with an assistant. Make sure you are getting good circulating flow from the cooling return hose. The radiator coolers can plug partially with clutch material and cause an obstruction. A cooling line backflush would be needed to clear it.

If fluid flow is good, I would also change the transmission filter to make sure it is not a fluid obstruction there. Make sure you use mercon V fluid and don't overfill the transmission level while replacing the drained out fluid amounts.

The transaxle light blinking will set codes in the computer and you will need a transmission scanner code reader to have them read, usually a good repair shop or dealer can help.

meqst2010, This could be a radiator problem. Look at the side reservoir of the radiator and see if there are lines coming in. This is for the cooling of the transmission fluid and the internal cooler may have sprung a leak. When the vehicle is cold open the radiator cap and see if the fluid if floating on the top. If so then you will have to have the radiator replaced and the whole cooling system should be flushed. I would have the transmission fluid and filter replaced as well as a precaution. Good luck with this.

There is a possibility the transmission is overheating, probably due to clogged cooling lines in the radiator. The transmission fluid is pumped through hoses to the radiator where it goes through cooling lines built into the radiator for this purpose. If the flow of transmission fluid through these lines is restricted, the transmission will overheat, and rough/hard shifting will result. Unless you are experienced at this sort of thing, I would recommend you take the car to a good shop to get this checked out. At the very least, you will have to have the radiator replaced. At worst, you might have to replace or rebuild the transmission.

Likely have a restriction in cooler flow.The radiator has a tank built into it that cools the trans fluid,if it's restricted,the fluid flow will also be restricted.Disconnect cooler RETURN line,after the radiator,and put into a gallon jug.Have a helper start the vehicle with the selector in NEUTRAL,and measure cooler flow after the radiator.It should be minimum 2 quarts (1/2 gallon) in 20 seconds.Good luck.