Is A Leak In My Transmission Serious?
A leaking transmission can spell disaster for your car, truck, or SUV. Transmission fluid, also known as transmission oil, lubricates and protects transmission components in the same way that motor oil does for other engine parts. Low fluid levels will affect the transmission’s output and harm critical parts if you have a leak. The transmission fluid is normally red to dark red in color, but it may be pink if there is a serious problem.
Causes of transmission leaks
- Transmission Pan or Drain Plug – Your transmission pan will begin to show signs of wear and tear over time. This is because the pan of your transmission is vulnerable to damage when driving due to all the loose rocks and debris on the lane. A leak will occur if the pan is punctured or if the drain plugs or bolts are loose. If the pan is damaged by a large rock or other component, the transmission will rapidly lose fluid. When this occurs, you will immediately notice it. A tiny hole or puncture, on the other hand, can take longer for you to note. It’s also possible that your drain plug or bolt isn’t tightened sufficiently (or is overtightened to the point of stripping), resulting in a leak. This happens all too often right after you adjust the transmission fluid.
- Pump – The transmission pump pushes transmission fluid through the lines. Since the pump is such a workhorse, transmission fluid leaks are normal. When the pump propels the transmission fluid across the system, the body of the pump usually splits somewhere and fluid spills out or is forced out. In this case, a new pump is almost always needed.
- Seal – Seals made of rubber or metal are found in your vehicle’s transmission. With an average temperature of 195 degrees Fahrenheit to 220 degrees Fahrenheit, things get hot under your car’s hood, and the seals suffer as a result. The seals, especially the pan gasket, can eventually crack due to wear and tear, allowing transmission fluid to leak through.
- Cracked Fluid Line – Steel or aluminum fluid lines make up a transmission’s fluid lines. These lines are normally very tough, but if they are damaged by road debris or are exposed to excessive heat, they can crack or even break.
Estimated Cost to fix transmission leak
If your transmission is leaking fluid, the cost to fix the leak (without removing the transmission) is usually between $150 and $200. The pan bolts, drain plugs, seals, gasket, and fluid lines will all be replaced for this price.
The true cost, however, will be decided by the location of the leak on the transmission. If the leak is coming from the front seal, you’ll need to cut the transmission first. This will obviously boost the cost of the repair job significantly.
Taking Care of a Leaky Transmission
There are a number of problems that can cause your car to stop running properly, like transmission fluid leaks. The first step in solving a problem is to recognize that one exists.
This list should make it easy to spot a transmission oil leak. It is important to diagnose a transmission leak in order to keep your car in good working order. Fortunately, repairing a fluid leak is easy, and the faster you find it and have it fixed, the longer your car can run smoothly.
We’ve come up with some other amazing articles answering these questions! Check them out here:
- What Are The Major Signs Of Transmission Problems?
- Does A Transmission Repair Take A Long Time?
- How Can You Tell If It’s Worth It To Fix My Car’s Transmission?
- How Do I Know If I Have A Bad Transmission?
- Does The “Check Engine” Light Appear Transmission Problems?
- How Often Does A Car Transmission Go Out Without Warning?
- Can You Drive For A Long Time With A Bad Transmission?
- What Are The Causes Of My Transmission Going Out?
- How Do I Know If My Car Needs Transmission Fluid?
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