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transmissions and radiators.....?

I am having the transmission in my 2003 Dodge Neon replaced (under warranty) but when I took it in, the dealership said I also needed the radiator replaced because of what it has to do in conjunction with the transmission. I'm still skeptical of the explaination I got, so can someone explain to me what the relationship between the trans and radiator is...I'm not mechanically inclined and have looked on line for explainations to this but to no avail. Any assistance is appreciated

Update:

Further details....the transmission guy said the cooling unit in the trans is plugged up with shrapnel from the pump

which has a 'catastrophic failure' and showed me metal shavings from the trans fluid. I hate to be dumber than a box of rocks, so, is the cooling unit in the trans, speperate from or an intergral part of the radiator? Thanks again, and my apologies for being a moron!!

Update 2:

oh, and this will be the 3rd trans in this car...and I only have 48,000 miles on it...yeah, we got ourselves a lemon!

6 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    With automatic transmissions, The Radiator has a separate Internal tank on the inside of it that the transmission lines run through. This is the transmission oil cooler. Some vehicles have separate ones on the outside of the trans. But if not, The internal cooler in the Radiator can get gummed up and not do its job. Or in other words It will restrict the trans oil from flowing correctly and possibly burn your transmission up. Its probably a factory defect in some way that caused the whole thing if its under warranty. Ask them If they are going to cover the radiator as well. If not, Ask if you can take it to a RADIATOR SHOP and have it cleaned out and repaired..Hope this has helped you.

  • 1 decade ago

    The radiator contains a transmission oil cooler. If you're paying for the radiator and If the car runs cool, then rather than replacing the radiator, buy an aftermarket transmission oil cooler. It installs in front of the radiator and does a better job of cooling transmission oil than the radiator and it's a lot cheaper too.

  • 1 decade ago

    The transmission fluid is cooled by a cooler built into the radiator, but i dont see why they would have to change the radiator unless its leaking, doesn't sound right to me.

  • Ron B
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    Your radiator contains your transmission cooler. It is a seperate radiator inside the engines radiator that cools the transmission fluid.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    theres a transmision cooler built into the radiator, its not removable. dont sweat your getting a new radiator

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