Why does auto tranny leak only if parked 3 or more days?
05-17-2004, 01:38 AM
#1
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Why does auto tranny leak only if parked 3 or more days?
I've got a really wierd leak problem I was hoping someone might know something about. It seems my auto tranny leaks fluid only if I have the car parked for 3 or more days. If I drive it daily, not one drop of fluid is lost. But if I leave it garaged for a business trip or go away on vacation, I come back to a nice little puddle on the garage floor. Why does this happen? I am certain my fluid level is correct, not too much and not not too little. I adjust the level when I get home from my evening commute once a month or so (pretty much guarenteeing correct operating tempreature). Can anyone offer any insight into this?
05-17-2004, 01:48 AM
#2
What i am guessing is that the torque convertor starts to drain after sitting a period of time. This coupled with a leaky gasket or filler cap allows for it drain.
Just a SWAG..but Ive experienced the same on my old AT after sitting for a week or so...
Later,
Tom
midlman@rennlist.net
89GT
Just a SWAG..but Ive experienced the same on my old AT after sitting for a week or so...
Later,
Tom
midlman@rennlist.net
89GT
05-17-2004, 08:06 AM
#4
Rennlist Member
My S4 dribbled out 2-3 oz. over its 4 month winter hibernation: in looking for the leak prior to start up, I was pleasantly surprised to confirm that it came from the resevoir cap: the idiot's way of confirming this is to back off the cap, and have another couple of oz. shoot out! (reported in an earlier thread).
As Tom says, it's likely due to leakdown from the convertor - or the cooler which is higher. Anyway, wipe the area down, and after the next 3-4 day absence that leaves a puddle on the floor - check for 'pressure' behind the cap prior to start up. If so, a fresh cap gasket may be the cure, rather than searching for a genuine ($$) leak.
As Tom says, it's likely due to leakdown from the convertor - or the cooler which is higher. Anyway, wipe the area down, and after the next 3-4 day absence that leaves a puddle on the floor - check for 'pressure' behind the cap prior to start up. If so, a fresh cap gasket may be the cure, rather than searching for a genuine ($$) leak.
05-17-2004, 01:28 PM
#6
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Not a bad idea to look to see where on th et trans the oil is dripping from. From your 3-day symptom: Consider that the oil that leaks from the converter seal is scattered from the converter when the engine is running. It 'dissipates' as you drive. When you stop, the leak continues, but it takes a day or two to leak enough to get a film on the converter houasing and run down to the floor.
Converter seal leaks show up at the front of the trans, dripping from that little grate thing under the converter. The reservoir is over a foot away, at the trear and on the right side of the transmission. Leaks there tend to run down the bracket and spread out over the rear edge of the steel sump before dripping from whatever the lowest point is.
If you have a problem seeing where the leak is because it seems to be from everywhere, consider a quick degrease with one of the purple cleaners and the garden hose. Do that, and a day later you'll be able to see what the source is, rather than where the intermediate flow paths are on the way to the floor.
I left my S4 parked for four months recently, and found tiny trail of ATF on the floor when I moved the car. Maybe four inches long, and no obvious source at the trans case. Been driving it for a few weeks now, since the Mid-Cali Ramble, and no sign of any drips now, even on the shiny light-colored epoxy floor. Hmmmm.
Converter seal leaks show up at the front of the trans, dripping from that little grate thing under the converter. The reservoir is over a foot away, at the trear and on the right side of the transmission. Leaks there tend to run down the bracket and spread out over the rear edge of the steel sump before dripping from whatever the lowest point is.
If you have a problem seeing where the leak is because it seems to be from everywhere, consider a quick degrease with one of the purple cleaners and the garden hose. Do that, and a day later you'll be able to see what the source is, rather than where the intermediate flow paths are on the way to the floor.
I left my S4 parked for four months recently, and found tiny trail of ATF on the floor when I moved the car. Maybe four inches long, and no obvious source at the trans case. Been driving it for a few weeks now, since the Mid-Cali Ramble, and no sign of any drips now, even on the shiny light-colored epoxy floor. Hmmmm.
