Cam Tower oil leak

[Oakleyguy]

+1 @Taco2Cruiser

My local Toyota dealer did a full 12 quart AT fluid flush for $126.60 plus the cost of fluid. I brought my own. Amsoil Signature was about $120 for 3 gallons. I highly recommend doing a full fluid swap - just changing out what's in the pan only gets maybe 25% of the fluid out, which hardly seems worth it unless you do it every 15k IMO.

Notice any difference with the Amsoil?

 

[Haggis]

Mine had the timing chain cover leak. Thankfully my extended warranty covered the $1685 in labor. Occurred at 68,000mi.

 

[linuxgod]

Notice any difference with the Amsoil?

Nope. I wouldn't expect it either. IMO anyone who says they notice a difference in how their vehicle drives after a fluid flush is crazy. Crazy I tell you!

I went with Amsoil because (a) it meets Toyota ATF-WS requirements, (b) from the tests I've seen (which admittedly are by Amsoil) it claims to exceed them, and (c) I had already decided to switch to synthetic gear lube with the change so the fluid was cost effective.

Most of my driving is a mix of heavy city and highway towing, so I'm hoping the Amsoil formula is just a little better than the Toyota one, but truth is any synthetic oil that meets the miminum standards is probably fine and the biggest benefit is going to come from a regular fluid change.

 

[Oakleyguy]

Generally I'll agree about the lack of difference from fluid changes, but it does vary vehicle to vehicle. A drain and fill in my winter beater ('98 Accord) makes a significant difference. Then again that transmission is notorious for issues based solely on fluid quality.

I was thinking of swapping my 100's transmission fluid for the Amsoil, but then started leaning toward OEM.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

I've been messing with oils for a long time, and sending off for oil analysis to actually know what is happening in there. Just not saying I like something because it feels "good".

So I had about 130k of testing between Toyota WS and Amsoil low viscosity Signature series ATF in a different Toyota transmission. After running back a forth in 40k runs, without getting too into the numbers, they are both really good oils, Amsoil is just slightly better on a couple of aspects that could make it run a bit cooler. I went with Amsoil because of that and the fact that I can get it much cheaper than Toyota WS.

But I'll be honest after the first change I did at 40k, every change after that the fluid was above 85% of its life. Really once the transmission is broken in (no highway driving and only easy grandma like driving on the first 500 miles) those transmission could just run and run on the second fill.

 

[Oakleyguy]

I've been messing with oils for a long time, and sending off for oil analysis to actually know what is happening in there. Just not saying I like something because it feels "good".

So I had about 130k of testing between Toyota WS and Amsoil low viscosity Signature series ATF in a different Toyota transmission. After running back a forth in 40k runs, without getting too into the numbers, they are both really good oils, Amsoil is just slightly better on a couple of aspects that could make it run a bit cooler. I went with Amsoil because of that and the fact that I can get it much cheaper than Toyota WS.

But I'll be honest after the first change I did at 40k, every change after that the fluid was above 85% of its life. Really once the transmission is broken in (no highway driving and only easy grandma like driving on the first 500 miles) those transmission could just run and run on the second fill.

Good feedback. If I remember correctly, the 100 series was claimed to have a 'lifetime' fluid. Sounds like I'll be safe switching to the Amsoil. Using Blackstone I presume?

(SORRY FOR THREADJACK)

 

[Blackford Oakes]

Where does this normally start to show itself on the drivers side?

I had some overspill from an oil change a week ago (poured too fast - I’m really not a fan of the 5 quart jugs), but I noticed a tiny bit of oil on the bell housing, a drop on the edge of that exhaust shield just up and to the left (facing front) of the bell housing, a drop on a metal cover plate to the left of the oil pan and a tiny drop in a spot under the valve cover. I’m hoping it’s accumulation from the overspill. The color is not as light as fresh oil, but it would be a heck of a coincidence if this started right after an oil change where some spillage occurred.

2013 with 99k miles

 

[Blackford Oakes]

Here are the oil spots in question:

There was drip on the edge of this heat shield where the arrow is pointing.

Are you supposed to be able to see all the way up in the transmission through this hole?