WTF and why is it leaking?

curdog14 · 01-07-08, 04:48 PM

Ok boys, hope I'm not playing dumb on this one. After our first big cold spell in Sunny-Gunny (-25 F) Louie (88 FJ62) started to leak tranny fluid. I didn't think much of it as I thought that the tranny oil pan gasket cracked. Well, that is not the case. After crawling underneath in the blowing snow I noticed fluid pumping out of a hole in the front of the tranny. I had never noticed this hole before. It resides in what I assume is some sort of access plate to the flywheel. I have honestly never noticed it before. Over the years I've spent plenty of time on my back down there as have the rest of you. There was no gasket on the back of the plate so again I'm assuming that there should be no fluid in this area. Tranny was rebuilt in '04 (before I'd heard of Rodney) and other than high load temps, have had no issues turning the big tires. Here is the best pic I could get and I took some video that shows it pumping out. I'm looking for any reason to install a H55 but I need this rig reliable as it has inherited the title of daily driver. I can deal with the quirks that seem to follow this rig, but need the power-train to perform.

curdog14 · 01-07-08, 05:08 PM

maybe the pic will work this time.

3_puppies · 01-07-08, 06:02 PM

torque convertor seal? or front seal on trans input?

remove the 2 bolts and see if you can diagnos better

Skybill · 01-07-08, 06:10 PM

Yeah, could be the seal on the pump.

When mine went TU the fluid came out in a 1/2" stream!

You probably won't be able to see it thru access plate as it is where the bell housing and tranny meet and behind the torque converter.

Cheap part from Toyota >$15, but you have to pull the tranny out to replace it!

Mine had 287,000+ miles on it so I rebuilt the transmission and transfer case while it was out.

Good luck!

curdog14 · 01-07-08, 06:25 PM

I pulled the plate while cold so obviously not dumping fluid. I'm no fool, but whats the banana scale for this gasket replacement? My garage is tiny and it gets damn cold here. It seems straight forward, pull bolts, jack stand tranny, replace gasket, rinse, repeat. Sound about right?

Randy88FJ62 · 06-13-08, 06:54 PM

I have the same leak on my 288,000 mile 1988 FJ62... It looks like a lot of work. I'm hoping it's just the oil pan gasket.

Joshua993 · 06-16-08, 03:38 PM

Looks familiar - I will be watching this one closely... Sorry I can't offer anything in the way of help.

01-07-08, 04:48 PM	#1
curdog14 IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Gunnison, Colorado Posts: 28	WTF and why is it leaking? Ok boys, hope I'm not playing dumb on this one. After our first big cold spell in Sunny-Gunny (-25 F) Louie (88 FJ62) started to leak tranny fluid. I didn't think much of it as I thought that the tranny oil pan gasket cracked. Well, that is not the case. After crawling underneath in the blowing snow I noticed fluid pumping out of a hole in the front of the tranny. I had never noticed this hole before. It resides in what I assume is some sort of access plate to the flywheel. I have honestly never noticed it before. Over the years I've spent plenty of time on my back down there as have the rest of you. There was no gasket on the back of the plate so again I'm assuming that there should be no fluid in this area. Tranny was rebuilt in '04 (before I'd heard of Rodney) and other than high load temps, have had no issues turning the big tires. Here is the best pic I could get and I took some video that shows it pumping out. I'm looking for any reason to install a H55 but I need this rig reliable as it has inherited the title of daily driver. I can deal with the quirks that seem to follow this rig, but need the power-train to perform. __________________ 88 FJ62 the original "Louie", +-210K miles 3" SOR Heavy lift, 33X12.5 Cooper's on black American Racing wheels, Wilderness rack, XM SkyFi, primer, algae, and rust... send the lawyers, guns, and money... quick!

01-07-08, 05:08 PM	#2
curdog14 IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Gunnison, Colorado Posts: 28	maybe the pic will work this time. __________________ 88 FJ62 the original "Louie", +-210K miles 3" SOR Heavy lift, 33X12.5 Cooper's on black American Racing wheels, Wilderness rack, XM SkyFi, primer, algae, and rust... send the lawyers, guns, and money... quick!

01-07-08, 06:02 PM	#3
3_puppies IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Helena MT Posts: 2,603	torque convertor seal? or front seal on trans input? remove the 2 bolts and see if you can diagnos better __________________ those that fail to prepare are preparing to fail....Benjamin Franklin 1965 FJ45 LWB 2nd owner, 2F, 4speed, sprung over, 35"BFG Mud terrains 1965/67 FJ45 SWB combining 2 into 1 under construction 1970 FJ55 all stock 1980 FJ40 all stock, factory air and power steering, 82,000 miles

01-07-08, 06:10 PM	#4
Skybill IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vancouver (USA, Not Canada) WA (State, Not D.C.) TLCA# 15387 Posts: 88	Yeah, could be the seal on the pump. When mine went TU the fluid came out in a 1/2" stream! You probably won't be able to see it thru access plate as it is where the bell housing and tranny meet and behind the torque converter. Cheap part from Toyota >$15, but you have to pull the tranny out to replace it! Mine had 287,000+ miles on it so I rebuilt the transmission and transfer case while it was out. Good luck! __________________ '89 FJ62 - SOA - 35" Toyo MT's - Rancho 9000X's - 287,000 miles 8 MPG! '04 Tundra Double Cab - 2.5" lift 33" TXR's '87 Tercel Wagon '91 Celica GT

01-07-08, 06:25 PM	#5
curdog14 IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Gunnison, Colorado Posts: 28	I pulled the plate while cold so obviously not dumping fluid. I'm no fool, but whats the banana scale for this gasket replacement? My garage is tiny and it gets damn cold here. It seems straight forward, pull bolts, jack stand tranny, replace gasket, rinse, repeat. Sound about right? __________________ 88 FJ62 the original "Louie", +-210K miles 3" SOR Heavy lift, 33X12.5 Cooper's on black American Racing wheels, Wilderness rack, XM SkyFi, primer, algae, and rust... send the lawyers, guns, and money... quick!

06-13-08, 06:54 PM	#6
Randy88FJ62 IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North of LA California Posts: 590	I have the same leak on my 288,000 mile 1988 FJ62... It looks like a lot of work. I'm hoping it's just the oil pan gasket.

06-16-08, 03:38 PM	#7
Joshua993 IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kansas TLCA# 18761 Posts: 94	Looks familiar - I will be watching this one closely... Sorry I can't offer anything in the way of help.

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