RTH: transmission fluid coating the entire engine bay

[NLXTACY]

Just had a coolant flush and radiator replacement done at K&H yesterday. Today while driving it starts smoking really bad and I jump out and notice red fluid dripping from the wheel wells. My guess is that the transmission lines were not properly tightened but not sure. Anything else I could be looking for? Literally the entire engine bay is coated from top to bottom in trans fluid.

Edit: and of course the wifey was driving and is really pissed

 

[OGBeno]

Tranny cooler lines going into the bottom of the radiator since the radiator was replaced.

That's your most likely culprit.

 

[NLXTACY]

Is the trans pump high pressure? It seems odd that it would drench literally the entire engine compartment. We also drove a good half mile so hoping there is mo damage to the tranny.

 

[OGBeno]

It's getting pushed through there at a good clip I would imagine. I do not know flow rates.

Also your PS system used DEX red too, make sure those hoses are good as well.

 

[NLXTACY]

It's def trans. I checked dipstick and it's bone dry. The PS res is full. So I have that going for me.

 

[greentruck]

Airflow will move tranny fluid around more quickly than almost any other fluid than coolant. It does sound like it has something to do with the trans cooler or the lines to it, because it could spread back from there over everything.

 

[CJF]

So????

What was it?

 

[NLXTACY]

Well, I dropped off the truck over to K&H so he can repair it. While out today Richard called me and said he had to go into the shop today and wanted to know what happened. So I explained everything and he said, Yup, darn it. Stupid hose." So he told me that he will not be in the shop on Monday so is coming in TOMORROW (Sunday) to fix it for me so that we will have it for work on Monday (including steam cleaning the entire engine bay). THAT is waaaaaay cool. At this point all evidence is pointing to hoses and if its anything other than I will let you all know.

EDIT: oh and to top off the day, my son has acute appendicitis and is going in to surgery in a few hours. I'm just home grabbing food and letting all the fam know whats up.

 

[CJF]

EDIT: oh and to top off the day, my son has acute appendicitis and is going in to surgery in a few hours. I'm just home grabbing food and letting all the fam know whats up.

Wow.

Will be thinking of you and yours.

Curtis

 

[greentruck]

Here's to your son being OK.

Sounds like the leak will be solved with exceptional customer service.

Rough weekend so far. Here's to a better Sunday.

 

[NLXTACY]

So????

What was it?

Sooooo, as it turns out....

Aftermarket radiators for the LX have the transmission nipples not pointed as far down as the OE radiator. So the hoses are pointed up just slightly higher then stock. The trans cooler hose didn't come off. It was firmly placed. The problem was the fan, and the brand new (non-broken) fan shroud, sucked the hose up and the fan tips cut the hose enough to allow the hose to blow and cause all the spewage.

So Richard from K&H came in today (yes a Sunday) just to fix hose, adjust the nipple directions, steam clean the engine bay and refill the trans. I'm loving that guy more and more.

 

[OGBeno]

So Richard from K&H came in today (yes a Sunday) just to fix hose, adjust the nipple directions, steam clean the engine bay and refill the trans. I'm loving that guy more and more.

Another reason to love a good mechanic you can trust and can rely on, whether or not there is profit margin involved....

Also another reason to use OEM parts.



Glad you got this taken care of sir.

 

[NLXTACY]

Another reason to love a good mechanic you can trust and can rely on, whether or not there is profit margin involved....

Couldn't agree more.

Also another reason to use OEM parts.

Couldn't agree morerer.
This is the first non-OEM part I have ever used in my truck. But it was Friday, I was on a plane from Amsterdam, local Toyota was out, and he was trying to get it done for my wife the same day so he chanced it. He has a standing order to ONLY use OEM on my truck and he always has although most of the time its me supplying it.

 

[unwiredadventures]

EDIT: oh and to top off the day, my son has acute appendicitis and is going in to surgery in a few hours. I'm just home grabbing food and letting all the fam know whats up.

I hope he's okay. Back home yet?

 

[NLXTACY]

I hope he's okay. Back home yet?

Well its now Monday morning and we are still here at the hospital. There is rumor we will get to leave by this afternoon.