Total loss of automatic transmission fluid

[geoff_374365721]

After encountering overheating problems I fitted the additional cooling radiator as recommended problem solved !

About 18 months later,while towing I lost all transmission,one of the rubber pipes attached to the additional radiator having fallen off, the contents of the automatic gearbox emptied out onto the road. Upon investigation I could very easily slide the pipe on or off the radiator fitting even though it should have been held in place by a metal collar crimped over the pipe .I replaced both collars with jubilee clips.

If anyone has one of these radiators fitted a quick check on the tightness of the pipes could save a lot of time and trouble later.

I did inform the manufacturer and sent them the fittings but have not heard anymore from them

 

[RogerL]

I had a similar problem back in the '90s on a Cavalier - like many automatics they have a pipe in the radiator acting as a transmission oil cooler and the clip on the pipe wasn't tight enough to prevent it coming off - result was total loss of fluid, no drive, wait 4 hours for the AA.

 

[Carl-GreyhoundsrUs]

This happened to me twice when towing with a brand new 55 plate Kia Sorento. It was the reason that I got rid of it with only 5000 miles on the clock. I lost all confidence in it as there is no worse feeling than towing a caravan on a road like the A14 or A38 and suddenly being aware that you have no drive at all, I still have nightmares about it.

 

[RogerL]

Carl - try driving a car with a cambelt which snaps in lane 3 of a busy motorway at 70mph, losing all power including the steering and brakes.

I doubt that Kia are any worse than any other brand in that respect.

 

[ScouseIan]

Or, as happened to me in my old Rover 800. Try driving across the runcorn bridge in the rain with sudden torrential rail, requiring wipers at full speed. Wipers then 'fell off'. The runcorn bridge is 4 narrow lanes with no central reservation. I could not see a thing. Closing speeds at this point would have been 80-90 mph. I had to stick my head out the window narrowly missing a HGV coming the other way

I don't doubt that Rover ARE worse than any other brand in every respect.