Where Is That Transmission Fluid Coming From?

By Author: Tommy Sessions
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How to repair a transmission or brake line. Article Title: Where's That Fluid Coming From? Author: Tommy Sessions Contact: tommys@netdot.com Word Count: App. 814 Category: Vehicle Safety From: "Tommy Sessions" tommys@netdot.com Date: 3-1-03 Subject: Where's That Fluid Coming From? You have permission to publish this article as long as the resource box is included. Please make no edits without prior permission. A courtesy copy of your publication will be appreciated. Thanks, Tommy at: mailto:tommys@netdot.com So you have automatic transmission fluid leaking on the carport. Where is it coming from? The front of the transmission? The rear of the transmission? From the sides of the transmission? No, it's coming from the front of the engine, between the radiator and the engine. Look at the automatic transmissions fluid lines that come from the transmission to the radiator. They transport hot fluid to the radiator to be cooled so the fluid doesn't ruin parts inside the transmission. Sometimes the lines will rub together, creating ...
... a small hole. Or the lines will rub against the frame, or other parts, and will create a hole in the line. When this happens the fluid will escape from the line and can leak a lot of fluid from the transmission. This can cause the transmission to become so low of fluid that it can't operate properly. But most times you will notice a leak before it gets to the point that the transmission will be affected. But, if you happen to be on a very long trip, the fluid could run onto the pavement and not be noticed. This could cause the transmission to become low enough to cause problems. Major problems.  Jack the front of the vehicle up enough to get underneath. Be sure to put some type of support under the tire or the frame. Usually the transmission lines will be on the passenger's side on a rear wheel drive vehicle. On a front wheel drive, the engine is sitting side-ways and the lines are usually on the driver's side, between the transaxle and the radiator. If you can't find where the fluid is coming from you can crank the engine. Just be sure you have the transmission in park and the parking brake set. Then look underneath at the lines. You should be able to see where the fluid is coming from, now. Fluid will be circulating even in Park. Do not let anyone get into the vehicle! Children especially!  Once you find where the hole has been rubbed into the line you can turn the ignition switch off. For a quick fix, you can get a small piece of vacuum line that will fit the line snuggly. Split the vacuum line so it will fit over the transmission line. Put the vacuum line over the metal line, with the split on the opposite side of the hole. Put a small hose clamp over the vacuum line at the location of the hole in the metal transmission line and tighten it fairly tight. This puts pressure on the vacuum line and causes it to squeeze into the hole in the metal line, therefore stopping the transmission fluid from seeping out. A better way to repair a metal line, be it automatic transmission or brake, is with a compression sleeve. It will involve a little more work, and tools, but it is a permanent repair. Get a compression sleeve from the parts store. They'll ask you what size, so you might as well find out before you go. Normally, a transmission line is 3/8" outer diameter. You'll need a small tubing cutter and two wrenches that will fit the compression sleeve. If you don't have a tubing cutter you might try using a hack saw bladejust the blade, you won't have room for the handle. Cut the line about ¼" away from the hole in the line. Cut the other end of the line the same distance from the hole. What you are doing is cutting about an inch out of the line with the rubbed hole in the middle. Slip one of the caps of the compression sleeve onto one of the lines. Put one of the little compression sleeves onto the line. Push the center part of the compression sleeve onto the line and slide the compression sleeve up against it. Now start the cap onto the center piece. Be sure to keep the line up inside the center part. Do the same with the other end of the compression sleeve and line. When you twist the remaining cap onto the center part you have a connection for the two lines. Tighten the caps onto the center piece of the compression sleeve. The two small compression sleeves will compress onto the line and seal it off so the fluid can't escape past them. That's why it's called a compression sleeve.  When you have both ends, tight, you're done. This will work for a very long time. Just be sure the compression sleeve is not rubbing against the other line. You can keep them separated by cutting a piece of vacuum line to fit over the line without the compression sleeve. Tie the vacuum hose onto the line with tie-straps, or some type of wire that will not come unwound. Ahhyou do good work!  Tommy Sessions has been in auto repair since 1970. He currently owns and operates Pollok Auto Repair. He also publishes Bad Car Again Ezine. Contact him at: mailto:badcaragain@netdot.com About the Author Tommy Sessions owns and operates Pollok Auto Repair. He publishes BadCarAgain Ezine for people who want to do their own maintenance and minor repairs (if there are any *minor* repairs). Contact: mailto:badcaragain@netdot.com