Radiator "Popped" on Auto Supra, Does Auto need cooler?

[TomFraser]

My automatic radiator has a giant crack in the top (happened at about 80mph on the highway, had to use windshield wipers after it cracked there was so much steam and coolant).

I have a 5 speed radiator sitting in my basement, can I put a hose on the cooling lines for the tranny, bypassing a cooling system, for about a month while I decided if I need a new auto radiator, or a 5 speed transmission? Or will this cause excessive damage?

I've read threads saying you cannot, but I'm wondering if anyone has done it as a temporary solution, as I would be.


Thanks ahead of time for any replies.

 

[GrimJack]

Pick up an external tranny fluid cooler and zip tie it in. They are only ~$15. It'll hold long enough.

 

[IJ.]

Just get an aftermarket trans cooler and use your 5 speed rad.
<damn beaten by a minute>

 

[TomFraser]

cool

29.99 for This One

Come Summer I'm going with all new cooling system

Haven't decided about the 5 speed swap, I already put too much money into the car

 

[Poodles]

Also, figure out why the radiator popped...

 

[TomFraser]

Also, figure out why the radiator popped...

Because it was old, it was bound to happen, the top was not black anymore, but a brownish yellowish color.

The cooling system is the last real system that I need to completely redo. The last owner had a new waterpump installed and all new hoses, but no radiator change.

 

[Poodles]

I'd still be cautious.

Also, a true tranny cooler is much better than the radiator mounted one and one of the best things you can do to increase the longevity of an auto tranny. Heat is what kills em.

 

[TomFraser]

I'd still be cautious.

What would cause this issue, I just replaced the thermostat and radiator cap (cap is stock pressure).

Other than that I haven't really played around with anything that would affect the radiator (that I know of, in my relatively small knowledge of cars)

What should I check?

 

[GrimJack]

The thing to be afraid of is too much pressure in the system, and the radiator being the weak link.

Too much pressure is caused by the engine running too hot, or the head gasket being toast and cylinder combustion being forced into the cooling jacket.

It's easy to check... a block test, or a compression check, should give you peace of mind.

 

[IJ.]

Heater core is the next weakest link if it's got HG issues

 

[TomFraser]

Heater core is the next weakest link if it's got HG issues

I'll do a compression test Sunday, going away for the next couple days

Thanks for all the replies

 

[IJ.]

I'd grab a combustion gas test kit from Napa as well Tom.