Loss of forward motion and Red Fluid in Engine Bay

[Hokie LX]

hi all,

I am currently on the side of the road in my 2003 LX470.

I went around a corner and accelerated and noticed a loss of forward motion. Truck was revving but minimal forward motion. Pulled over and I have red fluid spewed all over the engine bay and underneath.

Any ideas? I'm thinking transmission fluid potentially. Having her towed to Lexus now

Thanks!

 

[Battleship]

Sorry man, it does sound like ATF. Keep us updated, as I don't think explosive loss of ATF is very common. Good luck, I can't offer much more than that.

 

[thatcabledude]

Maybe trans cooler line let go?

 

[ponytl]

just a guess... you are in an area of RUST some of the trans lines are metal I'm guessing one rusted through and let go... could be a rubber line ... BUT if the dealer tells you anything other than it needs a new trans line and new fluid ... then I'd get out of there with my truck...

 

[Hokie LX]

Truck has only been in NY for 3 months so don't think it's rust but I started it briefly and heard a hissing line so I think it is a transmission line. Having her towed to the dealer now to diagnose but it'll be almost 2 hours until the tow truck gets here!

 

[Hokie LX]

Does anyone know if it's bad to idle the engine with transmission and trans case in neutral? Don't want to cause more damage.

It's single digits temp right now so hoping to get some heat.

 

[Bama4door]

Yes very bad. All of the fluid will pump out of where the hole possibly is...not good.

Worst case scenario, call an Uber to take you somewhere close by until the tow truck comes.

 

[2001LC]

Check transmission fluid level while running. If below low line shut it down.

 

[Hokie LX]

Yes very bad. All of the fluid will pump out of where the hole possibly is...not good.

Worst case scenario, call an Uber to take you somewhere close by until the tow truck comes.

No ride sharing in WNY sadly. Fluid is all gone. Was just hoping to idle it in neutral for heat. My thinking was that trans wouldn't be spinning except for torque converter. Guess I was wrong. Thanks for correcting me.

Check transmission fluid level while running. If below low line shut it down.

Yeah fluid is all gone.

 

[2001LC]

You can use the seat heater. IIRC it only works with key in on, so don't run to long. If seat heat works in ACC run as long as battery allows.

 

[Hokie LX]

You can use the seat heater. IIRC it only works with key in on, so don't run to long. If seat heat works in ACC run as long as battery allows.

True I've been using that luckily. Only another hour until the tow truck arrives at the latest so I'll be okay.

Thanks for the help guys. I'm guessing new line, labor and all new fluid. Hoping it won't be too bad $$$.

 

[Hokie LX]

Well the truck is at the Lexus dealer and I got a loaner car.


I will keep you all updated as to what happened when they call me.

 

[2001LC]

Is that the F series?

 

[flintknapper]

Hopefully just a supply or return line. Anytime you have transmission fluid loss....shut it down as quickly as possible. The transmission 'pump' is not designed to run 'dry'.

And since you live an area where it gets 'kill you cold', always carry a GOOD heavy blanket (or two) and some minimal emergency supplies.

 

[Hokie LX]

Is that the F series?

It's an RC300 AWD F-sport coupe. It's fun. I'd probably still take my old BMW 335 or B8.5 Audi S4 over it but it's a fun change of pace from the LX470.

Hopefully just a supply or return line. Anytime you have transmission fluid loss....shut it down as quickly as possible. The transmission 'pump' is not designed to run 'dry'.

And since you live an area where it gets 'kill you cold', always carry a GOOD heavy blanket (or two) and some minimal emergency supplies.

I learned that quickly up here. In the back I carry the following everywhere I go. If you get stuck up here and it's below zero and the truck doesn't run, you're in trouble!
-Blanket
-Extra heavy jacket, gloves, hat
-Jump box
-Small detailing kit
-First aid kit
-Protein bars
-Drinks
-Snow clearing supplies
-Recovery gear

I'm considering getting a set of drawers to put in the truck to organize all the crap I carry with me everywhere. Right now they're in two "trunk organizers".

 

[flintknapper]

It's an RC300 AWD F-sport coupe. It's fun. I'd probably still take my old BMW 335 or B8.5 Audi S4 over it but it's a fun change of pace from the LX470.



I learned that quickly up here. In the back I carry the following everywhere I go. If you get stuck up here and it's below zero and the truck doesn't run, you're in trouble!
-Blanket
-Extra heavy jacket, gloves, hat
-Jump box
-Small detailing kit
-First aid kit
-Protein bars
-Drinks
-Snow clearing supplies
-Recovery gear

I'm considering getting a set of drawers to put in the truck to organize all the crap I carry with me everywhere. Right now they're in two "trunk organizers".

Smart man, sounds like you are 'good to go'. Amazing how many folks are NOT prepared however.

Hope your tranny issue turns out to be a simple fluid loss with no damage incurred. Be sure to let us know.

 

[Hokie LX]

Update:

Truck is all fixed. Looks like it was a trans cooler hose. Only lost a little fluid and because the trans fluid was just changed, they just topped it off with 6 qts.

Seemed like an easy fix. I got multiple compliments on the truck from the service advisor, the service manager and their head tech that worked on the truck. The tech came out and talked to me about it for a while which was quite the compliment! There are not many of these trucks up here in WNY. I have seen one other 100 series since I bought my truck in September.

Also got the recall performed. They had the parts on hand!

For anyone in the Western NY area, the work was done at Northtown Lexus. It was my first Lexus dealer visit and I had a good experience with them and they were very friendly.

 

[unfast]

.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Nice, definitely avoided a much more costly repair by being attentive.

 

[Hokie LX]

Did they say if the hose just failed due to age or if it damaged by something? My 03 is getting close to your mileage and I'm thinking this my be something to address soon, just as preventive maintenance.

I was actually just going to post something about this. I recently replaced my alternator and pulled it out through the bottom without disconnecting anything. I THINK I may have overstressed one of the hoses while I was pushing it aside to get the alternator through causing it to fail. Either by nicking it or just stretching it on accident. Either that or the two events were completely unrelated and this hose just happened to break randomly.

However, if you are mechanically inclined, it seems like parts to do this job are cheap if you do it yourself.

Nice, definitely avoided a much more costly repair by being attentive.

Definitely. I also got a deal on labor/parts from my buddy who works at the dealer which is always nice!