1996 Jeep Wagoneer trans fluid into radiator

1996 JEEP WAGONEER
200,000 MILES • AUTOMATIC
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CHARLIEMICHELLE
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My sister ( who knows NOTHING about cars ) called me this morning freaking out because she accidentally dped a sizeable amount of transmission fluid directly into the radiator of her and her husbands jeep. I told her as a precaution not to start it and to have it towed to a mechanic to have a chemical flush of the radiator done ... Well apparently she does not listen and her husband ( who is employed as a pizza delivery driver in a very busy pizza place ) is driving it all around town right now . what damage ( if any ) is this liable to cause and what should be done to fix it or can it be fixed now that it is all through the engine , water pump and all other mechanics of the jeep?
Thank you , sincerely , the little sister of a pain in the butt
Oct 3, 2015 at 5:06 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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The oil will coat and can restrict the water flow through the radiator, that will be the biggest concern, it will also affect heater core and in general make a big mess, you will have to get the radiator out and get it core cleaned and remove the thermostat and flush the cooling system, trans oil is not as bad as engine oil, but you do need to clean the system sooner rather than later.
Oct 3, 2015 at 5:14 PM
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CHARLIEMICHELLE
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Thank you so much this is all as I figured it would be though I did think that their would possibly be some damage ( jellying ) of rubber components such as hoses and gaskets . just worried because her jeep is certainly already on its last leg and the mechanic already told her it won't last through winter
Oct 3, 2015 at 5:20 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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If you leave it for to long it may start reacting with the coolant being used, but if you get it flushed it should not be an issue.
Oct 3, 2015 at 5:54 PM