I noticed pinkish gunk inside my coolant bottle stuck all over the top inside surface as well as a layer of bubbly gunk on top of the coolant. I use regular green coolant. Coolant level is good, haven't had to fill it recently. I have been using AC all summer and I have been smelling coolant inside the cabin periodically when I come off the freeway or make a turn. Carpet doesn't seem to be wet anywhere. Any guesses as to the source of the gunk?

 

I should also mention that the last time I added some coolant, I think I used the "compatible with all colors" fluid. I replaced a lot of the fluid when I replaced the coolant bottle. So perhaps the traditional green fluid mixed with the new all-in-one stuff may be the cause of the pinkness?

 

If it looks like a strawberry foam stuck on the bottle the tranny cooler might have split into the cooling system.

 

That is certainly a plausible explanation. Where does the tranny fluid and coolant cross? Don't they have separate sections in the radiator?

 

Yes there is a tank built into the radiator for the transmission. I have seen alot of them split.
Check the tranny fluid and make sure coolant it not working it's way into the tranny.(That is really bad)

 

I'm more convinced about the transmission suggestion now. Did a thorough flush last night but can't completely rinse the pinkness out of the bottle without having to take the bottle out. After a 40 mile freeway drive this morning there's a layer of bubbly pink. Can't tell if it's new or leftover. If it's the transmission fluid, is the repair to change out the radiator? Can I put in some leak additive? At this point it's lesser of evil between additive screwing up friction property or risk coolant getting in. Maybe an external transmission cooler.

 

Best bet would be to replace the radiator. If you just run an external it could cause coolant leaks.

 

Not only replace the rad but take a long hard look at the transmission fluid. Better to catch it now than have the transmission crap out later. Running an external cooler is fine, but the radiator would seem to be compromised and would need to be replaced regardless.

 

Searched and found a write-up for replacing a non-turbo 850 radiator. Is my 99 turbo C70 very much the same except induction hose (ie, radiator come out the bottom)? What else can be easily replaced at the same time, hoses, clips, t-stat?

 

Yep, the tank leaked or split in my 2006 S60 (T5) three weeks ago. Trans. fluid entered the cooling system and water/coolant entered my transmission. The tipoff was continually having to add small amounts of water to the cooling system, never realizing the water was disappearing into the transmission. My mechanic found the problem. Installed a new radiator and flushed the transmission. Even though the transmission performed perfectly before and after the radiator changeout (so far) he said I should SERIOUSLY consider selling the car within the next 6 months. Is he right, or overreacting? What am I looking at long term with the life of this transmission, now that water has entered the transmission? Any idea of what I should expect in regard to problems or signs that the transmission is going out? BTW, the car is out of warranty, but in otherwise great shape with 60K miles.