Spilled Transmission Fluid

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Clubber_Lang

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About 3 weeks ago, I was doing an ATF drain and refill on an '01 Avalon. While, I was *slowly filling the transmission dipstick tube with a 4 qt container of ATF, I managed to drizzle ATF in an area around the radiator fan and the radiator. I tried to clean it up asap but unfortunately it got into places which are not accessable without major disassembly.

So, as of now, anytime the car idles in traffic, the radiator fan sucks in the smell of ATF and fills the cabin with it. I would really like to pressure wash the area, however I'm warry of doing that around the radiator fan and shorting out an electrical component, ect.

Just wondering if anyone has ideas. I wish this minor spill was on the exhaust where it could just burn off but unfortunately it is not.
 
Did someone say VW 502 00?

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Hose it down with simple green then rinse with water.

I'd look at how your radiator and condenser are mounted, typically you can take off a big plasticy rubbery thing then a couple 10mm bolts and lift the rad up and out. In your example you can leave the hoses all connected but just shift it a couple inches so you can wash it better.
 
Originally Posted by eljefino
Hose it down with simple green then rinse with water.

I'd look at how your radiator and condenser are mounted, typically you can take off a big plasticy rubbery thing then a couple 10mm bolts and lift the rad up and out. In your example you can leave the hoses all connected but just shift it a couple inches so you can wash it better.




+1. Maybe use the hose mixing attachment nozzle they sell for weed killer, or just a spray bottle. With the engine cold get in there and soak as much of the area in simple green as you can. Let sit for 10-20 minutes and flush thoroughly before it dries. the Simple Green shouldn't cause any problems with aluminum or plastic/rubber and works pretty well.
 
Simple green, or any other degreaser and the hose. I only wash under the hood when the engine is cold and I drive it until it's dry, immediately afterwards.

You won't hurt anything, everything under the hood is designed to tolerate some water.
 
Use Simple Green HD only. You can buy this at Home Depot. It comes in a gallon I think? So it has to be diluted accordingly.
 
Originally Posted by JamesBond
You won't hurt anything, everything under the hood is designed to tolerate some water.


This.

I also use a leaf blower to completely dry the engine bay. I wash and detail my engines on a regular basis. Never once have a had a problem.
 
Originally Posted by eljefino
Hose it down with simple green then rinse with water.

I'd look at how your radiator and condenser are mounted, typically you can take off a big plasticy rubbery thing then a couple 10mm bolts and lift the rad up and out. In your example you can leave the hoses all connected but just shift it a couple inches so you can wash it better.

+2 Just don't go soaking things like your alternator with water while you are under there.
 
I think you have your answer. However, I just wanted to tell you that Maxlife ain't so bad. It ain't nothin'. This is your round, you gone take it to town. You have one word for Maxliife.....PAIN.
 
Trash talking a transmission fluid spill??? we've come to that.

Just in case it comes up, Purple Power is the same family of product (eco friendly, soluble household / automotive cleaners) as Simple Green and works well on car stuff.

I bought some when the oil pressure sensor in our car sprung a leak. It cleaned things up well.
 
Originally Posted by TheLawnRanger
I think you have your answer. However, I just wanted to tell you that Maxlife ain't so bad. It ain't nothin'. This is your round, you gone take it to town. You have one word for Maxliife.....PAIN.

Lol
 
Just to add to the topic......Check the vacuum lines going to the front engine mount/mount vacuum solenoid, ATF will kill these hoses in quick order!
They were probably deteriorated before the ATF spill, The metal shield between the subframe & core support can be remove for better access to the vacuum hoses. The mount can be checked with a hand held vacuum pump to see if the bladder is holding. The mount is pretty cheap from Toyota ($100) considering how complex it is!
 
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