Symptoms of bad automatic transmission cooler?

[Thoragaverung]

Hi,

I may be going to look at a 1985 vanagon with the auomatic transmision later this week.

I am aware of the pressing need to install a standalone transmission cooler before the integrated unit fails. What I'm wondering is, how can I check the bus to ensure it hasn't already failed? Would I see water on the AT dipstick (is there one?), or AT fluid in the radiator? What shuld I look for so I don't buy a problem?

Thanks.
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Happy to help, but my advice comes with no guarantees. Use at own risk.

[mikemtnbike]

Strawberry milkshake.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[MarkWard]

Depending on how it failed internally, you'd find strawberry milkshake in the main coolant tank or the ATF would be pink in color after it's run. If it's been sitting the water will separate out of the ATF and be in the bottom of the trans pan. Same is true but in reverse, the ATF will collect at the top of the main coolant tank.

In other words, you need the blender going to get the milkshake.

[Thoragaverung]

[kourt]

Here's some actual ATF/coolant "strawberry milkshake" photos.

Report back and tell us what you find!

kourt

[Thoragaverung]

That doesn't look like a strawberry milkshake. More like an infected wound... ugh
_________________
Happy to help, but my advice comes with no guarantees. Use at own risk.

[SCM]

[Abscate]

The fact that it’s installed is the problem

I’m not a fan of ersatz engineering followed by bush league implementation, with apologies to those who know what they are doing
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[Wildthings]

You also need to check that the ATF and gear oil have not mixed, if one or the other is higher than it should be this might be the case.