condensation in the 4+3 overdrive

[Bill Riggs]

I talked to the previous owner of my 85 and he was telling me about what he described as a condensation problem in the overdrive unit. He said the o/d fluid would frequently get "frothy" and then the o/d wouldn't work properly till he changed it again. He had the unit completely rebuilt and still had the problem.
Has anyone else had that type of problem?
Thanks in advance,
Bill

 

[Ken]

I've not heard of that symptom before.

 

[G Winter]

I am not familiar with the overdrives but would assume they are cooled? If so is the cooler in the radiator? assuming that is the way it is you could have a leak in the cooler getting coolent into the overdrive unit . You would most likely have some oil in the radiator. Just a thought .

 

[Ken]

Just a thought .

Good thought! The overdrive unit does have coolant flow; that would be the only way for moisture to enter the gearbox/overdrive unit. Good catch Scav!

 

[rrubel]

Well, the oil flows from the OD through a separate section of the radiator; there's no coolant itself going to the OD unit. I guess there could be a leak in the radiator which could cause it...
[RICHR]

 

[Bill Riggs]

I talked to the previous owner again and he said he had owned the car a little over nine years. He replaced the radiator about three years ago and still had the problem. The o/d has not worked since I picked it up in August. But the previous told me when I bought it that the fluid was probably low and that would need to be corrected before it would work. I have not had time to have fluids checked yet. After I crank out a paper for grad school I'll get under it and check it out.