Checking the Condition of a Vehicle's ATF
While checking the condition of a vehicle's ATF: Technician A says that if the fluid has a burnt color or odor, the fluid has been overheated. Technician B says that a milky color indicates that engine coolant has been leaking into the transmission's cooler in the radiator. Who is correct?
Technician A is correct about overheated transmission fluid, and technician B is correct about coolant leaking into the transmission's cooler.
Technician A is correct. If the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) has a burnt color or odor, it is an indication that the fluid has been overheated. Overheating can occur due to high operating temperatures or improper functioning of the cooling system.
Technician B is also correct. If the ATF has a milky color, it suggests that engine coolant has been leaking into the transmission's cooler, which is typically located inside the radiator. This can occur when there is a failure in the radiator, such as a cracked tank or a damaged transmission cooler.
Both the burnt color/odor and the milky color indicate potential problems with the ATF, and it is important to address these issues promptly to prevent further damage to the transmission.