trans pan leak

I have a trans pan leak that I discovered the other day while underneath the truck. I saw a wet area in the pan. Fluid looked darkish red. I’m having the dealer replace the pan, gasket and replenish fluid. Should I also get the strainer/screen replaced?

 

Not necessary. It should last a lifetime in an aisin trans. I would however examine what is in the bottom of the pan . If there is a lot of debris, then I would change the filter. However, at that point the trans probably won’t live very long.

 

Are you sure it's from the pan and not running down the side of trans cooler? It's just 2 little o rings in there sealing.

 

Could also be one of the two crush washers. The moving air distributes the mess over the whole pan. Best to clean it well and let it sit overnight and then follow the trail

 

Where would the trans cooler be located? I thought it was near the front where the radiator would be?? I noticed that the pan area was wet and couldn’t tell where it came from.

 

Sorry I meant the thermostat for the trans. It's on passenger side of tranny right behind the round puck thing.

 

Upon further investigation, they’re saying that there is a leak from the front pump seal. They traced the leak and said they saw red fluid where the trans meets the engine. They’re recommending whole trans replacement rather than replacing the seal. It’s not actively leaking on the ground but the pan remains wet looking.

 

They kept my truck for a few days and it took them this long to tell me this.

 

Also mentioned that if I drive the truck as is, it will start having shifting issues and all.

 

Sounds like utter bs. Keep the fluid topped off if necessary.

 

Yes. In 50 years.

 

Exactly why I have a reputable mobile mechanic coming to look at it tomorrow.

 

I was driving my non-Toyota car with Aisin transmission like that for many years, until fully seasoned for dropping transmission for seal replacement. Not an easy job. Wiping the excess every couple of months worked pretty well

 

You could also give AT-205 a try.

$15 ATP Automotive AT-205 Re-Seal Stops Leaks, 8 Ounce Bottle

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NVW1LM Scotty is all about that stuff for jobs where there are rubber O-rings or seals and it would take a lot of $ and labor to fix it.

 

That will swell the seals and O-rings, then degrade, all the rubber shrinks back and even cracks, and now you've got a bigger problem.

 

And only if you let it get low on fluid.

 

I was hoping that I can keep this trans lasting much longer. Already have 297k on it now. I’ll see what the guy says once he looks at it. I don’t 100% understand the check and fill procedure with this sealed system. I’ve read the TSB thing that explains it but I just don’t feel confident doing it myself.

 

ATF expands when it heats up. Pan has an overrun tube basically, which length is calibrated for certain volume of ATF at certain temperature. At this temperature the excess will flow through the overrun. You just start the engine, remove the plug, check the temperature in one or another way and wait till steady flow reduces to trickle. Screw the plug back, done. There can be only trickle if the amount of ATF was already correct. You may get nothing out of the tube at the needed temperature if ATF was low.

 

One thing I can say for sure is those people at my local dealership are liars!!! The leak is actually coming from the output shaft seal and I also would need a seal for rear differential (which the dealer was suppose to have fixed months ago but apparently didn’t). This mobile mechanic will charge just $400 and that includes all the parts and fluid (he’s making sure to get WS fluid). Never will I ever take my truck to the dealership again! They had me thinking that I would have to get another trans soon. Front pump seal is not leaking…thank god.