Transmission Help

I have an 02 Tundra base model. I had it at mechanic, and he showed me that ATF was coming out if the top of the transmission. There is a bit of clutch and bearing glitter in the pan, so I know there isn't a ton I can do, but I only got the truck in May, so don't really want to kill it yet.

Has anyone had this happen? Mechanic said it just needs a new transmission or rebuild. I'm not going to sink that kinda money into it. Is there a plug that could have popped loose? I am open to suggestions.

 

Our 2002 had the transmission go at around 80K miles due to a manufacturing defect. (From what I was told. I was young when this actually happened.)

We replaced it with a jasper transmission. It just rolled over 345,000 miles.

Cost savings option would be a junkyard transmission if you can find one. Odds are better for you if you are 2WD as ours is.

A340E is the 2WD transmission designation code.
A340F is the 4WD transmission designation code.

If buying new, I reccomend jasper transmission. They make OEM spec parts.

 

Why does it need to be replaced? What is it doing? How many miles? Do you tow with it?

 

Why was the truck taken to the mechanic? Was it related to the transmission or not? A bit of glitter in the pan may not be a bad thing depending on how many miles in the fluid. Transmission fluid seepage may be something simple like a loose connection or bad oring.

Please give us more hints. We like puzzles here.

 

Sorry, 237000, it's a V6, so no towing. I took it to the mechanic because it was dripping ATF. Thought it was from bell housing, but it was coming out the top of trans once we had it in the air. The glitter from bearings and clutch, and the mechanic said it's over heating the fluid and its coming out the relief valve. The cost of a replacement, will be more than what I paid for the truck, so that really isn't feasible.

 

I have a shop in town that'll inspect and install any junkyard transmission for $400 or less on many 2WD vehicles. I can pick up used transmissions for half that all day long. $600-$1000 is a very attainable ballpark for a tranny replacement.

 

No such thing unless they mean the breather. Transmission service is pretty easy on 02's, you might want to give that a try if the fluid is burnt. Should run you under $20.

Edit: You mention glitter/clutch material in the pan, make sure they didn't overfill the trans. Check in park or neutral at operating temp on level ground.

 

So if it's the breather, is that something that could fixed or replaced without dropping the transmission? I haven't tried getting up and in there yet.

 

If fluid is coming out of the breather it's likely overfilled since you mention no towing or other conditions that would cause excessive heat of the transmission. The fix would be to remove the excess fluid if it is indeed overfilled. How does the transmission feel during shifting? Anything feel weird or different lately?

 

I just had fluid and filter changed, and it had spit out a bit. Honestly I was so ticked after the service to see a puddle under the truck I haven't even driven much more. If the levels are correct should it still overflow, or could something be clogged? Nothing feels different during shifting that i could tell.

 

Did you have any leaks/problems with the transmission before having the fluid and filter changed? Have you verified the correct fluid level after the fluid/filter change?

 

I had a leak prior to going, that is why I took it in in the first place. Basically was told to not put anymore into the truck because transmission needs work/replacement. It was a local mechanic, so I will probably try to talk with a transmission shop before doing anything too drastic. Just trying to gather as much info as I can. With the truck being 19 years old, and having had issues with rusted bolts for timing belt, I don't want to chance breaking a bolt trying to remove trans myself, that and I don't have the lift to do it.