I recently took my hdj81 for a daytrip around some local backroads consisting of steep climbs on good logging roads. I was in D (high range) for the whole time. After climbing and decending 26 k's, halfway up a steep section (18% for 14k's) my A/T OIL TEMP warning light came on. I immediately stopped and noticed A/T fluid on the road for 50 feet behind me. Not like it had poured out, rather spurted (there may have been 1/2 litre on the road, although it was hard to tell with the drip/splash on the road)
I took a look and noticed the source of the leak was the observation plate on the bottom of the bell housing. The fluid was now just slightly dripping out, and i noticed steam comming from behind the plate also with a good pressure (like the steam from a boiling kettle). The steam stopped almost instantly, as did the leak.
I checked the A/T fluid level, it was low, but by no means empty and the warning light had gone off between the time i stopped and restarted the vehicle (maybe 3-5 mins). I let it cool for 15-20 mins and limped the 3-4 ks back downhill into town to buy some tranny fluid. She took about 1/2 lt - more or less, and the leak had stopped.
To get home I had to travel 26k's along roads with similar grades so i stocked up on fluid and went for it. I drove this time in L or 2 (still High range) with revs at 2000-2300 for all the uphill sections. I had no more problems - the warning light never came back on and the leak had stopped.
During this whole saga I never noticed any slipping of gears or clunking of transmission. Nor did I notice any engine oil in the tranny fluid or vice versa, the A/T fluid was still red, not too dirty and had a slight odour to it (not a strong burnt smell, rather a slightly hot fluid smell) and the engine temp didn't change from norm operating temp.
so here are my questions;
1) could it be possible that the overheating tranny created enough pressure for the fluid/steam to be pushed out the torque converter seal? If so does this mean my torque converter seal is now damaged, even though the leak stopped during the high load return journey home?
2) Could the overheating issue be soley due to climbing steep hills in too high a gear, or could there be another issue with my tranny?
I have owned the vehicle for 3 months and the mechanic who was selling it for the PO had just flushed the tranny. I have a little slop in my drivetrain, which i can only feel when i take my foot off the accelerator quickly while under load, or punch it too aggresively while under any speed. If i have a smooth foot I don't feel it - the tranny runs through the gears fine and never have i felt any slipping. I have climbed one very steep hill for 10-15k's (1800' vertical gain) and had no issues (although i was in L in low range)
i love my cruiser and know maintenance is of upmost importance, i also know the work involved, although still am learning how to do it!!
thanks in advance for the help
I took a look and noticed the source of the leak was the observation plate on the bottom of the bell housing. The fluid was now just slightly dripping out, and i noticed steam comming from behind the plate also with a good pressure (like the steam from a boiling kettle). The steam stopped almost instantly, as did the leak.
I checked the A/T fluid level, it was low, but by no means empty and the warning light had gone off between the time i stopped and restarted the vehicle (maybe 3-5 mins). I let it cool for 15-20 mins and limped the 3-4 ks back downhill into town to buy some tranny fluid. She took about 1/2 lt - more or less, and the leak had stopped.
To get home I had to travel 26k's along roads with similar grades so i stocked up on fluid and went for it. I drove this time in L or 2 (still High range) with revs at 2000-2300 for all the uphill sections. I had no more problems - the warning light never came back on and the leak had stopped.
During this whole saga I never noticed any slipping of gears or clunking of transmission. Nor did I notice any engine oil in the tranny fluid or vice versa, the A/T fluid was still red, not too dirty and had a slight odour to it (not a strong burnt smell, rather a slightly hot fluid smell) and the engine temp didn't change from norm operating temp.
so here are my questions;
1) could it be possible that the overheating tranny created enough pressure for the fluid/steam to be pushed out the torque converter seal? If so does this mean my torque converter seal is now damaged, even though the leak stopped during the high load return journey home?
2) Could the overheating issue be soley due to climbing steep hills in too high a gear, or could there be another issue with my tranny?
I have owned the vehicle for 3 months and the mechanic who was selling it for the PO had just flushed the tranny. I have a little slop in my drivetrain, which i can only feel when i take my foot off the accelerator quickly while under load, or punch it too aggresively while under any speed. If i have a smooth foot I don't feel it - the tranny runs through the gears fine and never have i felt any slipping. I have climbed one very steep hill for 10-15k's (1800' vertical gain) and had no issues (although i was in L in low range)
i love my cruiser and know maintenance is of upmost importance, i also know the work involved, although still am learning how to do it!!
thanks in advance for the help
