9000 L4-1985cc 2.0L DOHC (1986)
Coolant: All Technical Service Bulletins
A/T - Leakage of Oil In Radiator
FILE IN
VOL.
S.I. Man
I
SEC.
PG.
B-4
16
Issued:
07/88-1062
SUBJECT:
CHECKING FOR TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE RADIATOR
APPLICATION: 9000 MODELS WITH ZF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FIGURE 1 - 9000 RADIATOR DATE CODE
A manufacturing quality problem in some water-cooled oil coolers mounted within the engine radiator of 9000 models equipped with automatic
transmissions may result in leakage. This leakage will contaminate the antifreeze with ATF and/or the ATF with antifreeze.
Radiators with a date code of "JC" or higher are not affected. The date code signifies the, year, (J=1988) and the month (C-March of production and is
stamped on the right side of the top plate next to the part number. (See Figure 1).
Inspection:
Many times the leakage can be detected before the transmission develops symptoms which can be related to contamination. The antifreeze in the coolant
reservoir should be inspected for traces of ATF whenever a car is in for an oil change or service.
If the leakage goes undetected for a period of time, the transmission may develop symptoms that can indicate a radiator oil cooler failure. These
symptoms include:
1.
Erratic or hard shifts
2.
Noise when shifting, particularly on the 2-3 upshift
3.
Clutch slipping tendencies
When diagnosing transmissions with any of the above symptoms, check for contamination as follows:
1.
Inspect the antifreeze in the coolant reservoir for ATF contamination
2.
Drain and inspect the transmission fluid. A pink or milky appearance indicates that contamination has taken place.