justYnG

just found out i have a radiator leak. replacing the radiator myself isnt an issue, the question i have is with regards of the transmission fluid that flows though the radiator itself. im fully aware of the sealed system of the transmission fluid i do not want to mess with it. when i install the new radiator can i just simply add transmission fluid to the new radiator to avoid a trip to the dealership or does it really matter?

tcr101

iTrader: (2)

You can add fluid, but will want it to be at the right level. Depending on your mileage, I would swap the radiator and have a drain/fill or have the tranny fluid serviced. If your radiator and valve covers are going, I would assume your 130K+ and would suggest a tranny fluid service if one has not been done already. There is a DIY drain and fill thread here with directions. I was lazy and had the dealership do a flush. I think it cost ~$300 a few years back.

justYnG

sadly im at 72k but the car sits...a lot. i only put 5k on it last year from starting from last week. i had the cam seal changed out due to a leak that seems to be an issue with this block type because its a common issue on the tundra as well. since i had the water pump replaced when the new cam seal was installed i can only assume since its a new pump its performing slightly better than the last which could have created the leak. as for refilling the radiator with trans fluid i should be ok for a bit until i have it redone to the right level.

tcr101

iTrader: (2)

It is a 10+year old car. The common spot is the top right of the radiator. I would check the radiator cap too to make sure that still works.

I would take care of the tranny fluid sooner than later. Car should shift smoother and drive better.

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

Ive had the top seal of my radiator leak, at the top rubber seal/plastic. The radiator doesn't have transmission fluid through, so you dont have to deal with transmission fluids at all.

You will need to take off the top radiator support, hood latch, and radiator fans. Other then that it slips right in!

justYnG

i havent had a good chance to take a look at my car, not driving it currently, but from what dealership had told me at my last oil change that the radiator is leaking from the bottom. im going to put my car on some drive ramps because i need to remove the underbody covers, i dropped a socket that fell in there the other day, and take a look for myself.

justYnG

how is that so when hoses from teh trans run into the lower portion of the radiator for cooling?

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

Thats so weird! I just looked it up, and youre correct in that you have a trans cooler in your radiator. I was under the impression all GS's (06 gs300,gs350, and gs460) use the same exact radiator, and they do except your 2006 GS430 which has the cooler.

justYnG

a lot of automatic vehicles use a portion of the radiator to help cool the transmission fluid.

MrsWatts

why the hell does the transmission fluid go through the radiator? Do special precautions have to be taken when flushing the cooling system?

ESh

Why you guy try to complicate this simple process?
There is a drain on the radiator and 2 drain bolts on both sides of the engine block, just under the exhaust manifold.
After you drain all the coolant you open the bleed valve which is on top
of the engine and just fill the system normally, you need no funnel. After the coolant starts dripping through the bleed valve you close it and drive the car for about 10 minutes with the heater on.
Let the engine cool down and check the coolant level.

ESh

Because it will prevent the transmission from overheating.
No special precautions.