Help! Sudden trans fluid leak

[Vander]

Drove from Quito 9200 feet to Guaga Pichincha volcano which is about 15500 feet. Everything was going fine but I noticed that the X seemed to be low on power, I didn’t know if it was just because of the steepness or something else, I tried it in 1st low, and the revs picked up a little and some increase in power but then just I just put it back into drive.

We came to a very small boggy part, nothing hard but it had a small log and some rocks in it which was probably just placed for a small Suzuki 2wd hatchback that had just gone through. I switched on 4x4 anyway and passed through but heard a loud thunk, I thought it was a probably the small log just flicked up as they do. But as I tried to continue I suddenly lost power, I tried switching the 4x4 on and off, changing down a gear but progress was minimal.

So I get out and have a look and see radiator coolant coming out the reservoir due to heat but also trans fluid pissing out like water out of a hose. It seemed to coming from the back part of the transmission pan but hard to say because we were on an upward slope.

I ended up backing down turning around around basically rolling back down in neutral (with the motor running) until I got almost to the village at the bottom, nearly taking out a couple of llamas on the way . I stopped had a look no more ATF leak (it had all leaked out). No cel phone reception so decided to see if we could drive up the small slope to the village, we drove up no problems.

At the village rang the auto service I am a member of and got a tow truck to come out as I didn’t want to risk driving it and causing more damage. I was able to drive it off the truck and into my garage.

Okay, so now what! Any possible suggestions welcome, I plan to take it to a workshop but want to find out as much as I can first. Transmission fried or just overheated and broke seal? It has 120k miles, and I had the real main seal replaced a month or so ago due to a small leak.

 

[Vander]

I am thinking refilling the atf putting a tray underneath to catch the fluid and then see where it is leaking out, which side are the lines on?

 

[drdoom]

Vander, you may have busted the pan, or just overheated and fluid came out of the transmission vent tube, so check that. It should be near the linkage on the driver's side near the transmission pan. The cooling lines are on the passenger side, so check those too. Check the ATF (if there is any left), the color & smell. So if you are curious pull the pan before you re-fill, then you can have a look in there. Best Wishes.

 

[BrooklynBay]

It sounds like it overheated, and leaked. Check your fan clutch to see if there is slippage, and flush the cooling system.

 

[Vander]

Thanks for the replies, not much water left the radiator and the radiator had been recently flushed and reconditioned so that is okay. I will look for the vent tube and check the lines as well.

 

[Vander]

Okay I checked the cooling lines and they seem fine and dry, most of fluid is at the back part of the pan and on the drivers side near the linkage, but I don't what the vent tube looks like?? the color of the liquid is reddish brown and it smells like um transmission fluid.
edit - found it by feeling around and there is liquid up there, looks like it was coming from the vent tube.
Next step to add the fluid, mercon V I think??

 

[drdoom]

I'm not sure if Merc5 is correct, check your manual and the dipstick may be labeled.

 

[Vander]

From the searches I did Mercon V is okay, is says Mercon on the dipstick.

Anyway, because I thought all the fluid had leaked out (nothing on the dipstick and the ATF was leaking so much I assumed it all had gone) I bought 10 quarts as the manual says 9.5 litre capacity for the sum of $73 :thumbdwn:

I put in three quarts and ran through the gears and to my surprise I overfilled the grid marking on the dipstick. Took the X for a drive up some hills and it ran great, no problems at all, tried the 4x4 and all is good.

Well at least I have 6 spare quarts if I need them. So the problem was the transmission overheated, the fluid poured out the overflow causing the car to stay put. I am still glad I got the tow truck, at least the auto club membership has paid for itself. Was pretty worried I would have to get a new transmission, lets hope not soon.

Thanks for the advice!!

 

[drdoom]

If it got that hot, I would seriously consider changing the fluid, and filter while you're at it. Glad to hear you got it running.

 

[Vander]

filter ordered and video watched how to change it

 

[Vander]

I realize now I was driving almost the whole time in Overdrive without even thinking about it which probably caused the overheating in the first place!.

So what should I have been using while driving quite slow up mountains like this? normal D or 2nd??

 

[BrooklynBay]

Regular drive is fine for an incline unless you are towing. Was it a very steep incline?

 

[Vander]

Yes it was quite steep, the dirt road winding its way up the volcano, could only drive slow about 25-30 mph for the most part

 

[PopRichie77]

I am sure the torque converter was unlocked, in an unlocked condition heat build up in the trans fluid goes very high, in an unlocked condition for a long time, probably caused it to boil. I would use manual 2 as the torque converter will lock up unless pulling very hard, on and off the gas will cause it to unlock and lock, a steady gas pedal is better, I learned this from pulling a trailer, I have a trans temp gauge and a torque converter lock up indicator.

 

[Vander]

Thats interesting. In my original owners guide it says "Use 2 (second) gear to drive up moderately steep grades, to start up slippery roads, or to provide moderate engine braking on dowgrades. DO NOT GO FASTER THAN 55 mph (88 km/h ) IN THIS GEARSHIFT POSITION"

 

[Palmer7]

Something like this might be happening to me I was driving from Beaverton to corvallis maybe a 120 miles there and back but on the way back my transmission started to really clunk and shift bad and when I got back I checked it and it was VERY LOW even tho about 3 days ago I caught it with barely any ATF in it so I filled it. But I was driving on the freeway barely any inclines and 65 pretty much the whole time. Overheating maybe? Or some type of leak?

 

[PopRichie77]

Vander, I was referring to the fact that you were only driving 25 to 30 MPH,

 

[Vander]

Vander, I was referring to the fact that you were only driving 25 to 30 MPH,

I understand thanks, I was referring to BrooklynBays post about regular D being fine on an incline.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I have a transmission temperature gauge and a torque converter lock up indicator.

How did you set up the torque converter lock up indicator? These transmissions have a modulated signal going into the TCC solenoid unlike the older A4LD which has an on/off design.

 

[PopRichie77]

Sorry for taking so long to answer, but the snow storm knocked out our power for 5 1/4 days, we were the last to get power.
In answer to your question, I have a volt meter connected to the computer side of the TC solenoid, it modulates between 1 3/4 volts to around 5 volts while driving and locked up. Battery voltage when not locked. As soon as it starts dropping from battery voltage you know that the TC is locking up.