Transmission fluid comes up out of the transmission vent tube attached to the transmission dipstick tube
Transmission fluid comes up out of the transmission vent tube that is attached to the transmission dipstick tube. It's not alot but you can tell where it's coming from. What is causing this ? It's a 2wd transmission
My car has 100000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. Fluid seepage out of the vent tube can sometimes be normal, but can also be caused by overfilling. Has a service been performed recently? Perform a fluid level and condition inspection by having the engine at idle, on a level surface, warmed up engine, and remove the dipstick and cleaning it with a shop towel. Reinsert the dipstick and fully remove to a horizontal position for inspection. Make sure the fluid is not milky, very dark, or has contamination. The level should be in the safe zone marked on the stick.
Have an inspection by a qualified technician determine if any problems truly do exist and provide you with some assurance. YourMechanic has several technicians available that can assist you with a transmission leak inspection and can perform a transmission fluid service if needed.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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If a pump can suck in air past a filter seal or anywhere between the filter and pump, this unwanted additional air intake will surpass the vents capability to exhaust it. The fluid will become aerated, rise up and blow out the vent and/or fill tube. Another cause is due to an over filled transmission.
There could be a bad connection or a hole/crack in one of the transmission lines that is causing the leak. The transmission system has valves and solenoids that keep the flow of the fluid controlled when the vehicle is running. A damaged part or faulty valve/solenoid can result in a transmission fluid leak.
This hose is a vent hose for the transmission and would not be connected to anything. The vent is used by the transmission so it will not build up internal pressure and push oil out of any seals.
All transmissions have a vent to maintain equal barometric pressure inside of the transmission. If the vehicle is driven through water (as in a flood) and the water level is at or above the vent, the water will cool the unit lowering the internal temperature and water is drawn inside of the transmission.
Transmission fluid leaking from the bell housing can have a few potential causes. One possibility is a damaged gasket or seal, which can lead to fluid leakage. Another potential cause could be a crack or hole in the bell housing itself, allowing fluid to escape.
No , it is called the drain plug and is in the pan under the transmission. Some automatics don`t even have a drain plug and the whole pan has to be removed to drain the oil. The thing to check is that some automatics need to be warm and running before checking the oil level.
A puddle on the ground: The most obvious sign of a transmission leak is discovering a pool of transmission fluid under your vehicle. Most leaks start small, so check your regular parking spot often. A few drops aren`t necessarily a major problem, but it will be the sign that you have the start of a leak.
When the torque converter starts malfunctioning, you may feel shuddering and even slipping in overdrive. You usually notice your car shuddering because it feels like it`s vibrating. Your car will vibrate even when you`re not going very fast. The shuddering makes the car lag and is very noticeable.
The torque converter pushes the transmission oil throughout the transmission. It`s basically a pump, and if this pump develops a crack, you`ll end up with a transmission leak. The needle bearings inside the torque converter can also get damaged and this, too, will cause a transmission fluid leak under your car.
When the transmission fluid isn`t clean or is blocked by a clogged filter, the internal components won`t have the lubrication they require to function properly. This could lead to shifting issues, grinding gears, slipping transmission or other common symptoms of transmission problems.
Breather assembly is mounted on transmission to maintain the pressure equilibrium inside transmission. Breather allows the transmission to breathe air when the air inside transmission expands or contracts due to heating and cooling of lubricating oil during vehicle running.
If you`re going to be checking the transmission fluid level at home, it`s a good idea to warm up the car before you do so. If the car is checked while the engine is cold, it might give an inaccurate reading when you use the dipstick.
There`s an Air Leak Around the Vent
This is common and simple to fix. The solution: Stick your hand under the air vent and see if you can feel any air coming from the sides of the grate. If you feel air escaping, this is probably the cause of the excess moisture. All you need to do is caulk the leak to create a seal.
Topping up, draining and refilling automatic transmission fluid. Top up the fluid levels through the dipstick tube, using a small funnel. Add a little at a time and check the level frequently to avoid overfilling.
Clogged Drain Line
A clogged drain line can result the build up of water inside the air vents. Head outside to the condenser unit and look for the drip pan. If it is very full or overflowing, it could suggest that your drain line is clogged.
Automatic transmission failure can be another source of smoke in your tailpipe. If your automatic transmission system is leaking fluid into your engine, the fluid will start to burn and create light gray smoke.
Condensation in the Air Ducts
Both in the heating and the cooling season, condensation can form either on the outside or the inside of ducts that are poorly insulated. This is the most common cause of water leaking from the HVAC vents.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Transmission fluid comes up out of the transmission vent tube attached to the transmission dipstick tube
ANSWER : Hi there. Fluid seepage out of the vent tube can sometimes be normal, but can also be caused by overfilling. Has a service been performed recently? Perform a fluid level and condition inspection by having the engine at idle, on a level surface, warmed up engine, and remove the dipstick and cleaning it with a shop towel. Reinsert the dipstick and fully remove to a horizontal position for inspection. Make sure the fluid is not milky, very dark, or has contamination. The level should be in the safe zone marked on the stick.
Have an inspection by a qualified technician determine if any problems truly do exist and provide you with some assurance. YourMechanic has several technicians available that can assist you with a transmission leak inspection and can perform a transmission fluid service if needed.
New cars don’t have transmission fluid dipsticks Transmission fluid changing
ANSWER : That’s a very good question. The reason they have gone with no dipsticks is because they don’t want people messing with transmissions other there at the dealership. Some cars went through that a couple of decades ago. They make it a very involved, convoluted process all through, in order to change the fluid on these modern cars. They have special adapters you have to put. Some of them have to have scan computers in order to read the data and what’s in there, and then be able to change it. A lot of these companies claim that this new fluid is the "lifetime" fluid.
Most new use synthetic fluid can last a long time but any fluid is going to get dirty and wear out over time. I would change it at least every 80,000 – 100,000 miles but if you’ve got one that is really hard to change, you are better off hiring a mechanic to do it.
On some of the cars, it would be too hard for the do-it-yourself because of all that equipment you need. The professional mechanics already have that. Just call any good mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, and they will be able to perform a transmission fluid service for you.
There is automatic transmission fluid in a manual transmission. Is it okay to leave or do I need manual transmission fluid?
ANSWER : This would depend on what the manufacturer recommends. Many manual transmissions do take automatic transmission fluid. If your transmission has ATF in it, it is very likely that it is supposed to have that in there. If not, it is likely that the transmission would not function properly with the wrong fluid. Many manual transmissions will also take engine oil as a lubricant. The best way to know for sure is to check your owner’s manual or call your local General Motors dealership to inquire.
Transmission fluid leak dipstick – 1981 Mercedes Benz 240D
ANSWER : Hello. It sounds like the transmission may be overfilled and the fluid is being pushed up through the dipstick tube. There may also be a problem with the torque converter leaking or some of the internal parts of the transmission malfunctioning. I would suggest that you take your car to a transmission shop as soon as possible to have the problem inspected and repaired. Alternatively, if you would rather have the vehicle inspected at the car’s location before taking it to a shop, a certified professional from YourMechanic can diagnose the transmission fluid leak and advise you on the best path to repair.
Transmission fluid leaked while pulling a car out of mud
ANSWER : From the description you’re giving me, I’m not sure. I know many Fords, including my F150, have a circular seal type bell housing inspection cover near the transmission. Fluid pooled in this area generally indicates an engine oil leak from the rear main seal or a transmission leak from the front pump seal. The only way to know for sure is to have your truck’s transmission leak inspected firsthand by a professional. The team at YourMechanic is an excellent option since we make house calls.
Can I use alternative Transmission fluid to the quotes recommended fluid if i’m bringing my own parts?
ANSWER : I would recommend buying the correct fluid. The reason is because I want to make sure your car is taken care of and is running as long as possible. You wouldn’t want to put something foreign in your car that it may not accept unless you’re willing to accept risks. Different fluids have different chemicals in it. It may cost more right now, but you won’t have to spend money buying a new transmission or having one rebuilt.
My car is leaking transmission fluid – I can’t diagnose the leak
ANSWER : Based on the NHTSA database covering consumer complaints, as well as government mandated recalls and factory service bulletins, for your specific year, make and model, I do not see evidence of widespread complaints about transmission fluid leaks. Such leaks are, in fact, common in transmissions made by any car company, particularly if the transmission is older than say 10 years. There is a manual shaft seal, oil pan gasket, output shaft seals, case seals, torque converter seal (inaccessible) and so forth all of which are potential leak points on your transmission.
If you want to identify and resolve these leaks, certainly a certified Mechanic from YourMechanic could come out and perform a transmission leak inspection and let you know where the leak points are and what it will cost to resolve them.
Where are both transmission fluid dipsticks
ANSWER : Hi there, thanks for writing in about your 2004 Subaru Baja. There is only one place to check the transmission fluid on your vehicle. There will be a dipstick with a yellow handle near the rear of the engine compartment on the driver’s side. Unless there is a fluid leak, you should not have to add fluid to the transmission. The fluid level should be checked with the engine running and at operating temperature. The fluid type is Dexron III. Since checking transmission fluid is more involved than just checking engine oil, I suggest that you have a professional check and service the fluid for you if needed.
