Common Transmission Problems: The Transmission Leak

One of the most common problems people tend to experience with their transmissions is a fluid leak. Luckily it is also one of the most straightforward fixes if caught early and fixed promptly.

Continuing to drive a vehicle with a transmission leak can cause further damage, so tending to leaks asap is integral to your car’s lifespan and overall health.

The key to maintaining the life of your vehicle is routine transmission servicing and checking your fluids monthly.

Say you’ve done all that, and there still seems to be something amiss with your transmission. How can you tell if there is a leak?

How To Tell If You Have A Transmission Leak

There are a couple of apparent indicators that you have a transmission leak.

1. If your vehicle is slow to start moving, that can be a sign that your transmission needs servicing or that it has a leak.
2. Keep an eye out for puddles underneath your car. If your car recently underwent a fluid change, the fluid will be clear and red. If you haven’t had it serviced in a while, the liquid will be opaque and smell terrible.

If you notice either of these issues, get it fixed at once before they create even more significant problems that require additional repairs.

What Causes A Transmission Leak?

As important as having your vehicle routinely serviced is to understand what causes transmission leaks so you can try and avoid them.

• Transmission fluid could be drained through a damaged pan or drain plug.

The transmission pan is often susceptible to dents, holes or rust that can cause leakage due to its exposure to road debris. These leaks can often be too small to spot and may take a while to identify. This makes them problematic, as all too often, drivers continue driving, unaware of the leak.

Drain plugs can also be elusive leak sources as loose plugs and overtightened plugs can cause leaks. 

• Broken seals can and often are the source of the leak. There are many areas where you can find broken seals due to wear and tear. Some of the most common ones are:
• Input shaft
• Axel seals
• Transmission pan
• Plug seals
• Sensors
• Shifter housing seal
• Valve body
• Tail housing seal
• Speedometer seal

• A busted pan gasket could also be the source of your leak. It’s not unheard of to experience this as it can be caused by lousy gasket alignment, poor manufacturing, or exposure to high temperatures.
• If your torque converter is cracked or broken, this can cause leaks and prevent transmission fluid from flowing through the rest of the system.
• A cracked fluid line is rare but can happen. Typically, exposure to extreme temperatures or damage from the elements can cause this.

How To Fix A Transmission Leak

The first step to fixing a transmission leak is to determine where the leak is coming from. This can be a lengthy and tricky process if you are not particularly experienced with car DIY. It might be a process that is better left to your neighbourhood Mister Transmission.

Book a Free Road Test and Multi-Check Inspection, and we can perform a fluid check, road test, and a Diagnosis Scan to help determine your car’s needs. From regular transmission services to total transmission overhauls to fixing leaks, Mister Transmission is there to help.