Transmission leak?

2007 NISSAN SENTRA
122,000 MILES • 2.0L • 4 CYL
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JAYSON WILLS
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I started my car and was pulling out when I started to hear a grinding noise around the engine. I pulled back into the driveway and turned off the car. The car ran probably for 3-4minutes in total. I looked underneath and noticed transmission fluid all over the ground and my transmission pan was soaked in fluid.
My question is, did I just mess up my transmission when I started the car and the transmission started making grinding noise?
Feb 27, 2023 at 3:51 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

Chances are you will be okay. I say that because the transmission was still functioning for you to return to the driveway. The noise was likely due to low fluid or low pressure as a result of fluid loss.

Have you been able to locate the leak?

Let me know.

Joe
Feb 27, 2023 at 8:28 PM
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JAYSON WILLS
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Yes, It was leaking around the transmission pan. I replaced the transmission pan and put a new gasket in though a bolt won't thread in it just keeps spinning. Is there another bolt I could buy that would work?
Feb 28, 2023 at 5:34 PM
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JAYSON WILLS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes It was leaking around the transmission pan. I replaced the transmission pan and put a new gasket in though a bolt won't thread in it just keeps spinning. Is their another bolt I could buy that would work?
Feb 28, 2023 at 5:34 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 110,175 POSTS
Hi,

It could be the bolt that stripped or the trans housing. Do you know which it was? I ask because if it is the transmission housing, it needs to be tapped with new threads for a larger bolt. If it is the bolt that is bad, you should be able to replace it.

Chances are it is the transmission housing that stripped. Aluminum isn't very strong.

If that is the case, here is something easy to try rather than trying to tap new threads. Take the bolt to a hardware store and ask them for the next larger size bolt in a self-tapping bolt. Try to get the same length and only slightly larger. Once you have that, make sure it is straight and simply screw it in. It may require a little more effort because it will be cutting new threads, but take your time and you'll be fine. Also, if you spray it with something like WD40, it will go in easier.

Let me know if that helps.

Joe

Feb 28, 2023 at 7:24 PM