Transmission problem
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 89
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From: Northwest Houston
Transmission problem
changed my transmission fluid at 100000 miles. Follwed the article by Ken on the tech articles page. We flushed it and put in the Mobil 1 synthetic. Here's my dilemna. Since we changed it out, it seems to be leaking. I doubt it's the pan gasket leaking, but I'm not 100%. It will form about 4 or 5 beads on the cross member directly under the tranny, and seem to drip down the sides at the back of the transmission. Is there some sort of vent that will let it drain if it's overfilled?? We both seemed to think we didn't flush enough out at the time of doing the job, but didn't know for sure. I checked the level yesterday and it showed above full...fyi, I have a 2000 4x4 automatic. If there is a drain or vent, do you guys know where it's located so I can see if that's the source of the leak. Thanks!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 10,600
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From: Carhenge
There is a vent on top of the transmission towards the rear with a vent tube that runs towards the front on top of the transmission about 2 feet before it ends. In an overfill situation that is the most likely place it would blow the ATF out. On my 2000 4X4 you can see the vent and tube with a mirror. I am having a leak similar to the one you described (drips off the crossmember) except no ATF has been added for about 20,000 miles and it doesn't show overfilled on the dipstick. Also on mine there is no ATF at the end of the vent tube, only around where the vent actually goes into the transmission. Perhaps you can help me diagnose the source of my leak. Is the ATF only running down the left (driver's) side on about the rear 1/3 of your transmission? I am trying to figure out where my leak is coming from, and ATF has a way of getting all over making it hard to find the source.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: NW
Definitely sounds like vent on top of tranny.
Also keep in mind that an overfull tranny that is full enough to blow fluid out the vent, is probably also full enough to contact the planetary gearset, and whip up a foam of the fluid, causing loss of pressure, and possibly slippage and damage to the clutch packs. The sooner the better to correct the overfull condition.
You may have to waste some fluid to get it out, by either momentarily removing the drain plug from the pan if you have one, or loosening the pan bolts and let some run out, or a third option might be to disconnect the cooling return line to the tranny, start it up for a few seconds and run some out into a container beneath the cooling line. I would try and start at removing at least 3 quarts, and then SLOWLY refill back to full mark with motor idling and tranny in park.
Also keep in mind that an overfull tranny that is full enough to blow fluid out the vent, is probably also full enough to contact the planetary gearset, and whip up a foam of the fluid, causing loss of pressure, and possibly slippage and damage to the clutch packs. The sooner the better to correct the overfull condition.
You may have to waste some fluid to get it out, by either momentarily removing the drain plug from the pan if you have one, or loosening the pan bolts and let some run out, or a third option might be to disconnect the cooling return line to the tranny, start it up for a few seconds and run some out into a container beneath the cooling line. I would try and start at removing at least 3 quarts, and then SLOWLY refill back to full mark with motor idling and tranny in park.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Northwest Houston
THanks for the input guys. I will look for the vent and see if that may be the cause of my leak. clux, it is about the rear 1/3 but it's not specific to either side of the tranny, seems to be actually coming more from the rear. And if it is the vent, then I will def. work on draining and refilling, thanks TJC
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Phx, AZ
Well I have a bit of a different problem but this is a good forum to write in. I was pull ing my fifth wheel yesterday loaded up. (12,000 lbs) up a very long 13 mile 7% grade. My tranny got up to 210 degrees and the stock gauge finally moved to just below the yellow mark. Any way the pull was so hard I had to down shift into 2nd and pull up it at about 20 mph. I didn't think I could find a hill so ugly. But it is about a 4000 ft ele change in 23 miles. Any way the tranny fluid doesn't look or smell burnt but I definetly will be getting a bigger trans cooler. Any suggestions? And how hard are they to put in? Will this solve my problem?
Fire Rooster
Fire Rooster
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Penn Valley
The stock gauge was telling you the truth. 210 is a fine temperature for short term ugly hill pulling. 200 is typical continuous temperature and 250 is maximum continuous. Keep an eye on it but no action necessary.
Birken
Birken
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Phx, AZ
Cool thanks for the info. I am going to put a bigger cooler on it too. I still have the stock cooler and I would just like the peace of mind to avoid any problems in the future. I was pulling the hill at 50mph no problem till I saw the tranny temps going up then I down shifted into 2nd and pulled the last 5 miles at 20 mph.
Fire rooster
Fire rooster
