Transmission leaking right after replacing

Tiny
WILLIAM R. SMITH
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 196,000 MILES
This morning I found transmission fluid on my garage floor where the truck had been parked overnight.

I cannot tell if the amount of fluid is "a lot", "some", or "very little". My very best judgment is maybe, one-eighth of a measuring cup.

I pulled out the truck, warmed it up, and checked the fluid level. The fluid level was fine.

I cleaned up the fluid at about 11:30 and went back out at about 2:00 p.M. There were two small puddles about the diameter of two silver dollars side-by-side.

The transmission was replaced out of state, so I cannot just drive down the block to make the mechanic look things over.

This vehicle has not ever leaked anything. Ever.

My questions are:

1. Should I take this in immediately?

Or

2. Is it common, or to be expected, that some residual fluid will "run off" or leak after a transmission is replaced? In other words, will this resolve on its own?

3. If "yes" to number one what is the more likely cause of the leak: (a) the pan, (b) a loose drain plug, (c) something else, (d) no clue?

Thanks.
Sunday, January 7th, 2018 AT 1:11 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,446 POSTS
There might be some leakage if they did not clean up the various parts of the frame/chassis if it leaked there when they were removing the old transmission. But once that is gone there should not be any leakage.

How did the truck come home from the transmission shop? Driven or towed? When parked is it level or angled?
Can you give an idea of where the puddle and drips were, under the front/middle/rear of the transmission? Left/right side?

Leakage is likely transmission cooler lines or a test plug that is not tight. Next would be the pan. Wipe around the pan and bolts and see if it is dry and stays that way after wiping. For the cooler lines you can do the same, but wrap a paper towel around the fittings and see if they get oil soaked.

If it still leaks after that then it should be taken in and checked, take your paperwork, they should be able to talk to the shop that did the work and bill them for the repairs if there is a warranty.
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Sunday, January 7th, 2018 AT 1:38 PM
Tiny
WILLIAM R. SMITH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for the tips; I will give them a shot.

We drove the truck yesterday for about four hundred miles after the transmission was replaced. I was watching it like a hawk, but there were no issues.

The fluid level was fine when I checked it today.

The puddling that I found today was toward the front of the vehicle, almost center. The garage floor is not perfectly level; it slopes slightly downhill when the truck is parked forward-facing.
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Sunday, January 7th, 2018 AT 1:50 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,446 POSTS
That could be left-over fluid from inside the frame. It is also possible it is a cooler line but I would try cleaning everything up, then see if you still have a problem.
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Sunday, January 7th, 2018 AT 2:37 PM
Tiny
WILLIAM R. SMITH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Roger that. Thanks very much to both of you.
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Sunday, January 7th, 2018 AT 4:35 PM

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