Transmission fluid 82 chevy 4x4 automatic transmission fluid milky color and engine over heats. Is this related or separate. why is the fluid look milky

PS fluid cannot possibly leak into the engine oil. They are completely separate systems isolated from one another.

The only fluid that can leak into the engine oil is radiator coolant via a crack in the engine block or engine head or via a damaged head gasket.

On cars with automatic transmissions, there is normally also a separate circuit for cooling the transmission fluid built into the radiator. The oil from the transmission is pumped by the transmission through a second heat exchanger inside the radiator.
This is a separate system but if there is a crack in the radiator where the transmission fluid is cooled it is possible for auto transmission fluid to get into the radiator coolant via a crack in the right area. If auto transmission fluid has got into the coolant an inspection of the coolant will show it.

Milky colour in the radiator means that the engine has overheated and the head gasket is blown and might need replacement after skimming the cylinder head.The milky colour is oil in the engine mixing with water that cools the engine

The following are the general instructions on the start of diagnosing any electronically controlled engine or transmission problem.

The engine and the automatic transmission (transmission control is only for automatics, engine is still computer controlled no matter the transmission type) in this vehicle are computer controlled and in most cases when a fault occurs a fault code is stored in the memory of the computer control module. There are exception to this, such as the Mass Airflow Meter and fuel pressure problems. What must be done is to have all the basic testing done such as a scan of the system for fault codes as well as a check with a live data scanner tool for engine functions that are not within range of normal, a trained technician is required to know what is correct and what isn't, then based on careful diagnostics done from a factory repair manual the correct part is replaced or the wiring repaired or the computer replaced (known as the PCM), which is very rarely the problem. Other basic checks must be done as well such as mechanical problems with the engine as well as engine state of tune and mileage on the engine. The transmission can have mechanical issues as well such as no gear engagement at all or a failed pump or other pressure related problems. Also engine mechanical problems ca cause many drive-ability related problem such as rough idle and other symptoms

Automatic or standard transmision. If it is a automatic check the dip stick and see if the oil is red or black, and if it smells burnt or not. If it is black and smells burnt, you need to overhaul your transmission, which is not unlikell for a 4x4. If it is a std you are still on the verge of needing a new clutch.

your radiator coolant might be leaking into transmission . big recall on 05 frontier models. check to see if transmission fluid is a milky color.

you have a broken overdrive drum inside the transmission, the only way to repair it is to overhaul or replace the transmission....sorry

If no external leak and the transmission fluid colour looks white, the problem belongs to the automatic gearbox oil cooler. The oil cooler has broke mixing the gearbox oil and coolant causing this milkshake. It's a small radiator core type oil / water heat exchanger. It is cracked inside and transmission oil is mixed with engine coolant. Because the transmission oil pressure is greater than engine coolant pressure, the transmission fluid level drops. See also the coolant colour inside recovery coolant reservoir inder bonnet! It could be like this:



The automatic gearbox oil cooler type oil / water heat exchanger (oil cooler):


(In the picture above the transmission oil pan was removed for oil filter replacement).

your transmission has possibly been rebuilt with stronger springs put in. No worries. have been running mine for along while without any problems. Better this than slipping, but it is a bit annoying.

the transmission is slipping