Rep Power: 0

I'm new to this forum, though I've come here searching for many answers, but have yet to find a thread touching on this topic.

Let me start by saying, I have a 2002 Honda Civic HX -thats with the continuously variable transmission.

I discovered that my coolant overflow tank was.. well overflowing, but with what's called a "Strawberry milkshake" color. Which happens when the coolant and transmission fluid leak into one another. My problem is that i'm not sure how to solve it.

Is there a possibility of saving the transmission after i replace the radiator or will it be too far gone by then?

Any answers or thoughts on this would be great, and thank you.

-Nik

 
Rep Power: 210

I don't think anybody can answer if the transmission can be saved. My guess is the leak is inside the radiator in the transmission cooler and replacing the radiator should fix it. After that I would drain and refill the transmission multiple times until the fluid shows no signs of coolant.

I would think that if the transmission is not showing any signs of damage already, you should be fine once there is fresh fluid.

 
Rep Power: 812

same with the engine. gonna have to do a flush for that as well. just replace radiator and see what happens. the trans will be harder to get the coolant out since you have to do multiple drain and fills. not sure what honda was thinking putting two fluids in the same radiator.

 
Rep Power: 201

Ease of doing it. They sure aren't the only one. Virtually anything with an automatic has the transmission cooler mounted in one of the radiator side tanks. Some manuals do too. The ZF 6 speeds behind Powertrokes I know have a cooler for the transmissions. A few have external transmission coolers, but not many.

Working on cars at a GM dealer for a while that was actually pretty common. Usually doesn't hurt the transmissions. If they quit driving its because they ran low on fluid. The coolant is pink because that is the way it is going. The cooling system is 15 or 16 psi, the transmission cooler lines are a lot higher, so coolant in the transmission is almost impossible. Fix the radiator, flush the cooling system out and refill the transmission. Fingers crossed it should be fine. The autos in the 7th gens don't hold up to any abuse well, but haven't heard of problems with the cvt's. I do realize there aren't nearly as many out there though....