OK I'm officially ready to scream. [:@][:@][:@]I found out today that the POS radiator has developed a hole in it allowing the coolant and tranny fluids to mix...yep a whole 69k on the car, sick! So the dealer wants to not only change the radiator but the tranny as well (LMAO) it's slipping slightly but mostly because it's low on fluid. Well after hearing they want $1000 to pull the radiator I want to look into pulling it myself. So I need a little help since there are no FSM's for this thing.
1. how long should it take keeping in mind I've pulled engines and trannies.
2. Is there a trick to separate the AC condenser from the radiator without having to discharge the AC system.
3. can you flush the tranny using the transmission cooling lines?
4. are there any other tricks to get the radiator out?
5. can the radiator be serviced?
6. is there any negative aspects to installing a separate tranny cooler and abandoning the one in the radiator?
this whole thing is blowing my mind when I'm comparing it to my Land Cruiser that has 200,000 miles on it and has never had a major repair more than an alternator.


2003 s60 2.5t automatic FWD
phoenix, az

 

I would say just replace the radiator and do a tranny flush...if the tranny doesn't slip after this then your probably fine. I believe my 97 850 GLT had this similar hole in it and well it wasn't slipping, but then again it had 150k on it. The Land Cruiser is a $65000 ride... have you ever done any kind of coolant flush on the Volvo? I would say it's safe to do it at least once a year.

 

The job will take you some time to do it.
Leave the condenser in the car and drop only the raditor.
It is not common on these cars for it to happen.

Try flushing the tranny from the cooler lines.

 

"drop", is that how it comes out, from the bottom?

 

Yes it comes out the bottom.

 

How did you first notice the tranny oil in the coolant system? Did you notice the tranny shifting poorly first? Just trying to be on the lookout. TIA. Vadis actuallyhas a procedure fortranny fluidchange through the cooler lines so yes it can be done.

 

Any other hints / things to avoid?

You don't happen to have the factory service pages with this?

 

Coolant temp was a little high and noticed slightly rough shifting. Thought tranny fluid was low.

 

Sorry no pages.
If you want a pretty good walk through try to get Vadis off of E-bay.
It is what the Dealer used to use.

 

So, is the tranny fluid low? or is there water in there? If the tranny fluid seeps into the coolant, I guess that is better than in the other direction. Replacing a radiator is a lot easier and cheaper than a tranny. PM me with your address forthe Vadis writeup. As all of Vadis, its pretty basic.