Transmission Fluid Leak When Parked Causes and Easy Solutions

Sometimes you can see while reversing your car that there is a spot of reddish oil on the driveway. It is a transmission fluid leak. Transmission fluid leaks are considered quite normal, but if they are not fixed sooner, it can be really bad for your car long term.

The longer you wait for it to be fixed, the worse it will be for your car. You have to make sure your car is running smoothly because obviously without it, you will suffer in your daily routine. You will not be able to get anywhere. Car leaks can cost you a lot of time, money and heartache if you don’t get your car fixed on time.

For transmission fluid to be checked and refilled at all times, you can check the steps out in the place where solutions are mentioned. Fluid leaks are caused by a lot of problems and can be identified by the help of a car manual or mechanic. For checks and balances, you have to keep the car manual with you at all times, so whenever any issue comes up with especially the fluid levels, you can easily guide yourself and do an inspection.

Transmission fluid leaks are very much flammable and can cause huge explosions if not dealt with quickly. Smaller issues lead to bigger ones causing your own life to be taken too by them. These fluids are very much important to be at a specific level too. While changing these fluids, you cannot overfill them or spill them around even. You have to measure the fluid first and then fill it in.

Common causes of Transmission Fluid Leak When Parked are:

1. A leak in the pan

A transmission pan can easily wear out. Transmission fluid leaks can happen when these pans get punctured or because of loose bolts. While driving the car, rocks and dirt can damage these pans. If some big substance hits the pan, it can cause a lot of transmission fluid leaks.

2. Gear slippage

Most common sign is of low transmission fluid slipping from your transmission. As it requires hydraulic pressure to connect force between your engine and wheels. If the pressure gets, low fluid will start leaking from your engine.

3. Overheated transmission

 Transmission fluid helps you cool down rotating parts in the transmission. Heat is created by movements of these parts. If the level gets too low, there will be no time left for the fluid to cool down before another turn in the transmission. So overheated transmission will be caused, and fluid will start leaking. Overheated transmission is the engine that gets heated up and to cool it down; you have to follow certain steps that will be mentioned next in solutions.

4. Torque converter

That can also be an issue, with faulty needle and bearings in the body can cause leaks. A single crack in the body of the converter can cause a lot of fluid leaks.

5. Fluid lines

If the transmission fluid lines are damaged by heat or debris, you will face fluid leakage as it is obvious that fluid lines contain the fluid in them in the transmission.

6. Engine light ON

 The transmission uses a lot of sensors and solenoids, and if its control unit is detecting some fault, a trouble code will be installed in the control unit. It will send a signal to the engine to turn the engine light ON. If it stays ON the ECM will detect a problem. It will cause your transmission to shift, and RPM’S will also get limited, causing fluid leaks.

7. Erratic shifting

A transmission needs stable hydraulic pressure, and if you have low pressure, it will also cause the fluid in the transmission to leak. It will cause the shifting to be either too low or too high caused by faulty solenoid shift. Low fluid transmissions can lead to higher chances of fluid leaks which are usually because of low hydraulic pressure and wear in a tear in certain parts of the car.

8. Late engagement

 Late engagement between the gears can cause low transmission fluid. Which is basically when you put your gears on neutral or drive. It has to build up a certain amount of pressure before the car moves. If the fluid level is low, you will get a delay in the movement of the car daily, and it will cause the fluids to leak. A lot of pressure is applied to the gears, can cause a lot of fluid leak and higher chances of brake failures.

9. Damaged seals

To maintain the transmission leaks and the hydraulic pressure, the transmission uses several seals which deteriorate over time. They naturally crack and get damaged over time which causes the fluid to leak. Chances of the fluid leak will be a lot. Damaged seals are really hard to discover, and when you want to identify them, you have to be focused.

10. Not changing fluid often

One of the main culprits is not simply to hang your transmission fluid often enough. Under normal and extreme driving, both you have to change your transmission fluid often to avoid leaks. You will open your car manual and follow the instructions on how to change the fluid. Your fluid can pick up a lot of debris to cause wear and tear in its transmission, causing leaks.

11. Gaps in your transmission

One of the main reasons for fluid leakage is a gap in your transmission. It is hard to narrow down and can cause space in pan gasket, torque converter, fluid lines or seals, etc.

These were the reasons/causes of transmission fluid leaks in cars or vehicles.

Solutions for car Transmission Fluid Leak When Parked

1. Identify the leak

Before coming onto anything, you have to identify if the leak is, in fact, the transmission fluid. Whenever you see a leak, dip your finger in it and see the color and consistency of the fluid. Transmission fluids are red and are thinner compared to motor oil. The leak will normally be seen where the front of the car is present. So you need to inspect and see what the fluid is like and if it is a small leak or a big one.

2. Find the source of the leak

Leaks are often caused by a certain source. All causes are already mentioned so whenever you see a leak inspect your car’s fluid lines, pan gaskets, engine, seals, etc.

3. Determine if the problem can be fixed

Once you determine the cause, you will need to find out if the issue can be solved. All the causes listed above can be fixed. A few drops of fluid leak can be considered as a smaller issue. A puddle of fluid is a relatively bigger problem and can’t be solved easily. Its consequences can be dangerous, as well. You cannot fix a bigger issue at home by yourself. You need to go to the mechanic or professional and get it fixed.

4. Find what you need for repairs

Tools and material that you will need for the repairs depend on the cause of the fluid leaks. A lot of parts that are obligatory to get can be found online.

• Ramps or jack stands
• Specified transmission fluid
• A good funnel
• New transmission pan
• New transmission pan bolts and drain plug
• New seals
• New gaskets
• New cooler lines
• Hose clamps
• Catch pan with drain funnel
• Transmission fix of the renowned brand

5. Drain the transmission fluid

It is the next step of fixing the transmission fluid leak. You would have to elevate the car with the jack stands so that you can reach the pans. Place a container underneath the pan to catch fluid. You can then remove the drain plug to drain the fluid. The best way to drain it is to remove all bolts and have it dangle so the fluid drips out slowly. If your fluid is dirty refill the fluid.

6. Solve the problem

Fixing of the problem depends on what kind of problem needs to be fixed. 

Replacing of the pan: After finding the specific correct pan for your transmission and draining the fluid. You will remove the bolts that hold the pan and replace them with new ones. You will make sure that the gasket is flush so no fluid escapes. Then tighten the bolts back on.

Tightening or replacing bolts or drain plugs: This is the easiest thing to do. Tighten the bolts with a torque wrench and protect the gasket from crushing. If they are worn out, replace them with new ones.

Replacing gaskets: After you drain the fluid, you will take the pan off by removing its bolts. You will see a gasket over lining the pan. You will replace the old gasket with a new one. Then to keep it flush, you can add a few drops of oil to grease it into place. Then re-install the pan and tighten the bolts.

Replacing seals: Seals are really hard to locate and take patience. When you discover the deal is faulty, you can find a new one to replace it. You will switch out the seals. Seals can be found in the input and output shafts.

Replacing fluid lines: For this, you will need a new transmission hose of right compatibility to handle high temperature and pressures of the transmission. But the hose should be very high quality. When you drain the fluid, you will cut the leaking part out and replace it with a new part. You can also replace the cooler lines by removing old fluid lines and radiator by plugging new ones in.

7. Fill them up

After ending all the process of fixing the leaks of the transmission fluid. You will have to refill the fluid back in the transmission. If the fluid you drained is still fresh, you can re-use it and refill it in the transmission fluid lines. If you are going to replace it with a new one, then you would have to get it according to what the car needs and its engine type. Match the fluid and make sure the fluid levels are okay. Then you will have to make sure the pan is back into its place, and the bolts are tightened up. You can then warm your car up and see for sure if the leak is fixed completely or not otherwise get it checked from a professional.

Steps to check transmission fluid level:

1. Start the engine and let it on idle
2. Wait until the transmission gets to 40C. You can see that on the scanners.
3. Check your transmission dipstick while the car is on idle. The level should be between max and min now. If the transmission is lower than min, then it is time to refill.
4. Refill your transmission and follow the same procedure to check the fluid level.

Conclusion

Transmission fluid is a very sensitive and provocative part of your car. You need to keep checks and balances in your car to achieve a better performance in your vehicle. Keeping your car out of danger will stop obstacles that come in your way of a healthier lifestyle. If your car is not healthy and its transmission fluid is low and leaking it can even blow up your car. You can’t risk your car’s safety and your safety by ignoring even the smallest car leaks because even the smallest leaks can cause a major problem.

Transmission fluid acts as a lubricant and cooler for your car so its leakage can cause severe damage to your transmission and result in a lot of future problems. Your car is your daily life tool to go around and do chores, work, etc. so you need to keep a check in it; you need to inspect its parts daily to ensure your safety and the car’s safety at the same time. Transmission fluid leaks are the worse types of issues that can cost you your life. You need to be aware of your car problems all the time.