After driving on a dirt road for a short distance in 2 on the automatic transmission, the coolant level in the reservoir almost reaches the top, far past the the hot level. This problem has not been incurred during normal driving conditions in town. Please give me some advice to what is going on and what I can do to solve the problem. Thank you and please let me know if you need any other information from me.
Hard to tell, but high rpm + slow speed…maybe water pump (does fan wiggle)? fan belt slipping (is it tight)? radiator clogged (inside or out, look and see)? bad cap (have it pressure tested)?
Driving in 2nd gear for that distance may be overheating the transmission. An automatic transmission passes it’s fluid through a cooler located inside the radiator. If the transmission begins to run hot, this heat is transfered into the engine coolant which can result in overheating of the engine. It works like this. If an engine overheats with an automatic transmission, very likely the transmission is going to run hot. If an automatic transmission begins to overheat, very likely the engine is going to run hot.
Just leave the thing in drive, and let the automatic transmission decide when to shift.
Tester
The other posts are probably right on target, but I had a problem with my 1993 Oldmobile 88 with the recovery tank filling to the brim. It turned out that the hose from the radiator to the recovery tank was collapsing and acting as a check valve. Coolant would be forced into the overflow tank but wouldn’t return to the radiator. This was a simple 5 minute do-it-yourself repair. For a few coins, I would replace that hose.
I just want to say thank you to everybody that has posted thus far. Thanks.
what is your reasoning for driving in 2 for so long?
I only drive in 2 for about 1 mile during which time I am probably moving at about 10 mph. Its on a dirt road that leads to a trail.