Hi guys, I picked up a cheap automatic 1990 Magna TP Sedan a couple of months ago.

There was a little bit of work needing done, which I managed with the help of this site. :happy:

However, when I checked the transmission fluid the other day, I noticed it had turned yellow (like golden yellow, with a hint of brown). Last time I checked it (around 3,000km ago, I traveled across the Nullarbor) it was red, going on towards dark red. I dropped what was in the pan a couple of times and replaced with Mitsubishi fluid before I left and planned to get it sorted in Perth.

Is this just a sign of old, worn out transmission fluid? Someone suggested it might be water leaking in from the radiator, but I have no noticeable coolant loss.

Has anyone seen this or have any ideas? I'm not familiar with auto transmissions.

Overall it runs fine, the changes are getting more jerky, which is why I checked it with a view to getting a flush.

water leaking in from the radiator, but I have not noticeable coolant loss..
that would be my guess. take,s sfa water to do that
you may have a weeping cooler pipe in the rad .
just a short term fix. bypass the radiator as the tp have a extra tranny cooler. if it stays clean (red) your rad needs replacing
i WOULDN'T run it bypassed for a long period
if you need a new tranny go manual
or pm me i have a couple auto,s still full of fluid here you can have .
pics off your car please lol

i WOULDN'T run it bypassed for a long period
Had several TP models and only ever had the extra cooler in front of the radiator in use and had ZERO problems even after high Km's travelled.
Lots better on a hot day as you have no warmer water from the bottom tank of the radiator interferring with cooling the trans oil.
Had a friend once had a new radiator put in and two days later noticed the tranny oil had gone milky.........Cooler in the bottom of the radiator had a leak......tranny had to be totally rebuilt at some cost to the radiator company!! Vee

Waheela change the fluid as well as it is now compromised a flush would be a good idea!!

Cheers guys, sounds like it is a water leak. The radiator is the original 1990 one so it was on my to do list anyway!

I noticed there is a second, much smaller radiator in front of the first, but I figured that was something to do with the air-con?


if you need a new tranny go manual

I hope it doesn't come to that, but if it does I will, this is my first auto car and I'm really not a fan. From what I've read they're a lot more delicate, and I don't really like giving up control to a microchip! Especially one that's almost as old as me.

Any ideas what a radiator flush should cost in Perth? I've been quoted around $250 (not including the Mitsibushi fluid) which seems like a lot...

the auto cooler will be on the right hand side it a small square with two hose,s .the mits fluid for a tp is not cheap so you,ll be looking about $350 to $400 all up
if your car is missing the trans cooler pm shaun 92 he has a spare from memory

I noticed there is a second, much smaller radiator in front of the first
There is a condenser if you have aircon in front of the radiator the trans oil cooler is infront of both of those and about the size or a bit smaller than an A4 sheet of paper.
If the radiator is still ok remove and bypass the cooler tank thats in the bottom of the radiator blow out as much as possible of the old fluid and connect a hose back up to both the intlet and outlet with clamps and use it a while longer. You should get a brand new radiator for under $200.
I have used Castrol TQ-M trans fluid and also Penrite make one suitable for Mitsubishi. Had no troubles with either as long as it is serviced regularly as per Mitsi instructions. Vee

Any ideas what a radiator flush should cost in Perth? I've been quoted around $250 Did You mean Trans flush??
You could flush the radiator yourself you can buy some quality stuff at repco or supercheap/autobarn etc to do it then put back in a quality coolant.

this is my first auto car and I'm really not a fan

Well you couldn't have picked an auto gearbox with more problems than a first gen hahaha
Im sorry, i had to say it :D

Well you couldn't have picked an auto gearbox with more problems than a first gen hahaha
Im sorry, i had to say it

Its a TP they had fixed most problems by then and redesigned the tranny it was was then used in 2nd gen early Tr for a while.
I have a TP down the back thats done 275k original trans and then it was transplanted into a TN wagon. Did another 40k before i sold it and still going strong so they aint that bad as long as they are looked after and serviced properly etc. The TM's a whole different kettle of fish though and alot had later trans put in them when they gave up the will to work!! Vee

Hi again, bit of an update. I had a look around for quotes for a trans flush (I meant that, not a radiator flush :happy:) but it was looking around $450. I then went on a tour of 6 different Mitsu dealers trying to find one with trans fluid (including the main service centre and many that had 'Parts' on big signs outside). For future reference, is the TP trans compatible with fluid for different models?

Anyway, got some fluid and did a bit of a flush. It came out very dark black-brown. I think the yellow I was seeing on the dipstick must have been pale brown...

It runs better now, and the colour on the dipstick is ok. Hopefully it'll do til I can afford to replace the radiator (and the hoses, apart from ones I've replaced they're all original) then flush it properly.

The only thing is, while I was parked the level in my coolant overflow went down quite a bit, I hope that's just the 40+ heat the last couple of days.


Well you couldn't have picked an auto gearbox with more problems than a first gen hahaha
Im sorry, i had to say it

Haha, at least it's a learning experience!


magnaman89
the auto cooler will be on the right hand side it a small square with two hose,s

That's what I was looking at, saw it one day, thought 'wonder what that is?', saw Nippondenso written on and thought - condensor - air con.

Thanks for all the input and help on this thread, it helped a lot :happy:

my local mits dealer wonted $22 a lt for type m fluid .tried a local auto shop and they wonted $160 for a flush and service

tried a local auto shop and they wonted $160 for a flush and service
Extremely good value considering at least 8 litres fluid minimum used plus the cost of a filter kit for the tranny!! Vee