Transmission/Radiator

Hi, my first time here. Got a 1999 Ford Windstar LX 3.8 L. I could feel that my transmission is acting up and that the O/D light comes on when I am on the freeway or over 45 mph. I feel slippage and can smell a burnt ordor from my van. I notice that there is oil in my water/coolant reservior. I checked my trans. oil and it smells burnt and looks brownish with what looks like water mixed. I think it could be from a bad radiator, don't know for sure. If you have any answers or suggestions, please advise me. Thanks and will be on here alot more. :smokin:

If in fact there is coolant in the ATF, I'm very sorry to say the trans is dead. Coolant will dissolve the adhesive holding the clutches inside the transmission togather, and it will just quit one day.

My advice is to take it to a respected local shop or dealer (I know I know.... respected, riiight) and have them check it out. If in fact you do have co-mingling fluids, just replace the trans with a FORD reman unit (they really ARE the best for the money).

Really bad news. Sounds like the tranny cooler built into the left tank of the radiator (if I remember correcty) ruptured. Like ModMech says, your AX4S will eventually slip itself apart due to the coolant contamination :uhoh: :banghead: . You will need a rebuilt tranny and a new radiator. Sorry man!
G/luck
Joel

Thanks, for the input. I was able to talk to my friend who is a certified mechanic and diesel mechanic, he said to flush the transmission and drive, check, reflush drive and so on until my fluid is normal or take it in and have it flushed. He then gave me a name of a friend who is a radiator specialist, well I remember he helped me before on a radiator, so I called him and he said that I should not have coolant going into my transmission but I could have it reversed. He said that there is not enough pressure for that. He will check it out, no charge. I I'm not sure that I got coolant in the transmission. He said if I had trans. fluid in my radiator it would be a pickish color or foaming. Any more answers would help. Thanks