1990 Toyota Corolla Water in Transmission Fluid, Not from R

1990 TOYOTA COROLLA
150,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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RED1990COROLLA
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I recently bought the car from someone who lived in a very foggy town near the Pacific ocean. The drive train seemed sluggish but it ran ok. It developed a whine which varied with the speed of the wheels, and then the transmission froze due to lack of oil on the differential side. I happened to have a dead 1991 Corolla with a working transmission, so I had this put into the 1990 Corolla.

Now the car works ok, and at first the sluggishness was gone. However, after a couple weeks it seemed like a faint whine could be heard and a slight sluggishness came back (these might be my imagination), and an oil change shop found water in the transmission fluid. I had the transmission flushed and differential fluid checked. After a week or so, the water is present again. Two shops have said they don't see the signs of radiator leaking into transmission.

Is there another way the water could get in there? It has been raining a lot here. Also, is there a symptom of this water that will show up before the transmission is damaged, like sluggishness? I still have to drive the car to work everyday.
Jan 26, 2010 at 4:24 PM
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MMPRINCE4000
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 8,548 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
There is a small vent at top of trans, if coolant is leaking near it, it is POSSIBLE that is where the coolant is coming from. Otherwise trans is sealed.

It is most likely the oil cooler in radiator is leaking coolant into trans.

Coolant in trans will damage trans in a very short time.

If it is water and not coolant, the vent is the only place I can think of where water could possibly get into trans. Vent is covered with small steel cap and if cap is missing, then water could get into trans.
Jan 27, 2010 at 7:15 AM
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