Transmission has seepage, what next?

[Mackeath]

Greetings all,

So the transmission appears to be seeping fluid on my 88 FJ62. Not a lot, but a bit. It has 240k on it now. At about 190k I had a transmission fluid cooler added to help with the overheating after driving a while at high way speed.

It still shifts fine. Just seeping fluid. Any advice as to what to do next or prepare for? I'm skeptical of those additives to help stop seeping as I think they cover up other issues. What do you all think?

Thank you for any advice you can give me.

 

[SEAWOLF]

I'm in the same boat, it's the transmission or transfer case, I just got it up on blocks and noticed it for the first time. Is your fluid red-ish?

 

[Mackeath]

It is. A few months ago I noticed the transmission fluid was low so I had it topped off (I know I didn't do it myself which is a bad deal and against my MO but it is what it is). I'm now noticing there is what appears to be transmission fluid underneath and the fluid is low again. I'm not sure where the leak is coming from. I've lived in fear about the transmission since the over heating years ago and keep hearing how many people seem to have had a rebuild or replacement by this point.

I'm hoping to have a shop let me put it up to look at with them next week.

 

[SteveH]

You have to first assess how much is leaking. If you're parking on a dirt surface, put down an unfolded sheet of newspaper with rocks at the 4 corners, and park over it. Also, wipe it all clean underneath, and figure out if it's a pan gasket, or a leak near the torque converter. Remove the small access cover (under the ring gear), clean the area, and leave the cover off. Report back to us on the leakage, day to day.

I would not add any 'trans-medic' type stuff, since it tends to swell and possibly weaken rubber parts inside. I would also avoid transmission shops, as 90% will tell you that it needs a rebuild (due to the mileage), and many will not be competent to rebuild this particular transmission.

Just my .02.

 

[BG_TX]

Fairly common for the seal between the transmission and transfer case to leak, causing ATF to migrate into the transfer case - resulting in low fluid in the transmission and transmission fluid leaking from the transfer case since it's overfilled with gear oil + ATF.

 

[Mackeath]

Fairly common for the seal between the transmission and transfer case to leak, causing ATF to migrate into the transfer case - resulting in low fluid in the transmission and transmission fluid leaking from the transfer case since it's overfilled with gear oil + ATF.

Interesting. How difficult is that to diagnose or fix?

Thank you all for your replies.

 

[lechnito]

Interesting. How difficult is that to diagnose or fix?

Thank you all for your replies.

Take the fill plug off your transfer case. If lots of fluid starts gushing out, the seal between the transmission and transfer case is most likely no bueno.

 

[Mackeath]

Ok, thank you!

 

[BG_TX]

If ATF is leaking from the transfer case you should be able to see it from under the vehicle, the skid plate under the transfer case will have some ATF pooling. As others stated, if you have the means, spray the undercarriage down and park the truck with a long piece of cardboard or something under it and see location of the drips... This will at least tell you if it's coming from the area of the transfer case, transmission, etc.

ATF fluid coming from the vehicle doesn't necessarily mean the transmission is leaking (unless to the OP's comment, the transmission fluid is running low over time). The power steering system also uses ATF.

 

[Mackeath]

Hi all,

So I spent the money and had the seal between the transfer case and the transmission fixed along with a couple of other small things. It has been running great for a month now when last night unnoticed what looks like oil leaking. Any ideas what this is now? Here are two photos.

 

[doug720]

Looks like engine oil, and most likely the rear main seal - Crankshaft seal, is leaking. Common.

There are other potential sources - oil pan, valve cover, etc. Clean it well and observe.