Transmission/ Radiator

relco86 · September 10, 2009

I took my 07 sierra to a dealer to check on a stabiltrac problem. Here is the diagnosis I got from them> keep in mind i have 70k miles

no transmission fluid on dipstick

transmission fluid all in radiator

suggest replace radiator and hoses.

The quote I got was off the charts $1900. But I wanted it covered in warranty because the transmission failed (it had no fluid). The dealership said they had to replace the radiator first before they could determine a problem with the transmission. I took the truck to a local "reputable" mechanic and replaced the radiator and hoses $700. But I still have the problems shifting gears. So I have to take it back to the dealer to determine what I already knew in the first place (the trans is shot).

Heres my question> Can the "transmission problem" cause problems with the radiator. I.E> could the problem with my transmission now lead to a new problem with my new radiator???

txab · September 11, 2009

Heres my question> Can the "transmission problem" cause problems with the radiator. I.E> could the problem with my transmission now lead to a new problem with my new radiator???

I've never seen a situation of the cooling tubes in the radiator failing because of the transmission. My money is on a faulty radiator from the start.

2COR517 · September 11, 2009

I agree. Why wasn't the radiator covered under warranty? It wouldn't hurt to check the pressure in the cooler lines. I don't know what the trans pump pressure could get up to if you had a blocked return line.

relco86 · September 11, 2009

So you think that the radiator and transmission problem are two seperate issues and not at all related??

The powertrain warranty only covers the transmission.

So if I keep driving with my new radiator, the faulty transmission (leak) won't get back into the radiator??

I don't understand the logic.

The transmission had "no fluid". It leaked into the radiator. They have to be connected somehow?!!???

2COR517 · September 11, 2009

Yeah, there's a transmission cooler in the transmission. Sorry, I guess we thought you knew that. It ruptured and the force of the trans fluid through the lines pumped the ATF into the radiator/cooling system. I hope they don't tell you the trans is not covered because the radiator failed.

relco86 · September 11, 2009

I see.....so that kinda leads to where I wanted to go with this. They are willing to cover the transmission in warranty but not the radiator.

But since the problem originated in the transmission (trans coolant), and then leaked into the radiator, couldn't you argue that the transmission failed first causing the radiator problem.

And couldn't you also argue that replacing the radiator only alleviates a piece of the problem and that ultimately if the transmission is found faulty, that it would need replacing to avoid a similar problem to the new radiator???

grampadirt · September 11, 2009

Yeah, there's a transmission cooler in the radiator. Sorry, I guess we thought you knew that. It ruptured and the force of the trans fluid through the lines pumped the ATF into the radiator/cooling system. I hope they don't tell you the trans is not covered because the radiator failed.

Apperantly the radiator failed somehow(holes,cracks,whatever,in the cooling tube)allowing the tranny fluid to go into the coolant and then the tranny had no oil...one fail led to another

txab · September 11, 2009

And couldn't you also argue that replacing the radiator only alleviates a piece of the problem and that ultimately if the transmission is found faulty, that it would need replacing to avoid a similar problem to the new radiator???

As we've said a few times. The radiator contains cooling tube(s) inside it specifically for the transmission. This "cooler" is of course surrounded by water, to draw away the heat. You could have failure in this cooler from several things. I've never seen a transmission cause a failure. I've seen old, worn out radiators have a leak in the trans cooler portion. After you lost all your fluid is when your damage occurred. I would also be concerned about coolant getting back to the transmission.

I guess if you could convince GM that the cooler is a part of the drive train system, they should pay for at least the radiator itself. If GM would warranty the transmission cooling lines to and from the trans, (I don't know that they consider them a part of the drive train system. To me they are, since you can't run the trans without the cooler) then they should cover the cooler in the radiator. Something to think about. You could give it a shot. What have you got to lose? You're probably SOL though. I'm sure they have the written warranty inclusions and exclusions down to the minute detail on parts that are covered. I'm not holding my breath.

I'd be interested in seeing what the radiator looked like to see what and how it failed.

2COR517 · September 11, 2009

I see.....so that kinda leads to where I wanted to go with this. They are willing to cover the transmission in warranty but not the radiator.

But since the problem originated in the transmission (trans coolant), and then leaked into the radiator, couldn't you argue that the transmission failed first causing the radiator problem.

And couldn't you also argue that replacing the radiator only alleviates a piece of the problem and that ultimately if the transmission is found faulty, that it would need replacing to avoid a similar problem to the new radiator???

It happened the other way. The cooler failed, ALLOWING the transmission to be pumped dry. I would get them to do the transmission ASAP, before they say you ran it without fluid. THEN I would go after reimbursement for the radiator job. Just keep all your notes and receipts. Take five minutes and jot down everything as it happened.

gmtech4 · September 12, 2009

to get a claim thru the general ,the dealer has a root cause of the cooler ,claim code blah blah,secondary failure is the transmission,and that should be fixed as a straight time repair for the tech,all dealers are getting the pinch to do their paper work correctly ,cause if that R.O. gets audited or kicked back after its claimed ,the general can say "to bad ,we arnt payin" dealer eats it the whole tab..

when you have warranty remaing ,they call in your VIN and a repair code,(radiator in this case)it either gets accepted or not ,or gets "under review".if rejected ,your on the hook ,

but your trans is under warrenty ,even if the rad is the cause ,get them to FIX it.

lesson over