[BernieReilly]

My 2006 Ridge with 180K miles, suddenly steam from under the hood, stopped moving, antifreeze and tranny oil all over the place. I assumed the tranny cooler leaked into the radiator. Actually the tranny fluid feed line popped out of the radiator, that not only lets the tranny fluid get pumped out, but that fitting also seals the coolant. Good news, should be no damage to the tranny, bad news gotta buy a new radiator, now in the mail.

 

[BernieReilly]

Yes, gave the 2006 Ridge to my son, we just figured out the tranny/coolant leak is the tranny connector bottom of radiator. I have the 2013 Ridge, ready for the new model when it is available.

 

[BernieReilly]

I will try to post a photo. With the radiator out it is very clear that the nipple connection that tightens onto the lower radiator popped from its threads, can't see inside but it appears as though the tranny fluid cooling coil inside the radiator is aluminum and it corroded away, so the threads on the nipple lost any grip. . For curiosity I tried to loosen the other nipple, the one that did not fall off, after about a quarter turn it just popped off. And as I mentioned, it is essential that the nipple is tight to seal off the radiator coolant, a gasket makes that seal. Once the nipple pops, radiator coolant leaks around that connection.

 

[BernieReilly]

One more thing, taking out the radiator not that complex. Gotta take off the plastic air dam, all those little fasteners, the fans come off easily, pop a couple wires, do not need to mess with the air conditioning coils, or whatever that other cooling coil does.