alternator replaced 2 weeks ago and now transmission fluid bubbled and leaked all over the drive
I had my alternator replaced 10 days ago and I had noticed a dark dried up streak on the driveway,I had guessed some overflow from repair. Yesterday my car was having trouble moving into reverse,but eventually kicked in. this morning I was checking my oil fluid due to the oil light flickered on and off 2 days ago,I was running the engine to warm for reading and then turned off. i heard a bubbling noise and upon scouting everywhere, i saw the transmission stick cover had a dark bubbly look, i pulled it out and it was covered with transmission fluid.I immediately looked under the car and transmi
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Replacing the alternator does not implicate the transmission. These are completely unrelated vehicle systems. I suppose it is possible that a Mechanic could have added fluid, and to the wrong level, without your permission. Overfilling, as well as under filling, can cause problems with shifting. If it was overfilled, really only the excess would have been forced out; that is, overfilling does not necessarily cause the transmission fluid to completely empty itself out. Sometimes fluid can be forced out if the breather holes or assembly is blocked in the transmission, perhaps combined with overheating. In your present circumstance, the best thing to do is first clean up as much of the mess as possible, so you don’t have burning fluid under the hood and also to make it easier to inspect the issue. Then, check the fluid level, using the right procedure, and see where you are. If the fluid level is OK at the moment, try operating the vehicle and see if the issue recurs. If you still have a leak, obviously it will have to be tracked down and, as noted, the possibility of the breather being obstructed has to be considered. If you do suspect a leak, I recommend you request a transmission leak diagnostic which will provide a resolution of this issue for you.
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.
If you have a faulty alternator and the vehicle battery gets low on voltage then the computer may not shift the transmission gears correctly and cause other drive symptoms like stalling or surges and rough shifts. Engine and transmission may even go into failure mode and cause various drive symptoms.
Faulty Transmission Pan or Gasket
The fuel pan gasket is the number one culprit if your vehicle`s transmission fluid leaks when your car is parked. Cars with automatic transmissions have a pan gasket designed to catch most fluids leaking from the engine.
If the transmission`s vacuum modulator were faulty, it could be sucking out transmission fluid and dumping it into the carburetor. If that were happening, the fluid would be combusted along with the fuel, and would come out the tailpipe as smoke.
One of the most common problems you`re likely to experience with an alternator is a failure in the bearings. There are needle bearings in the alternator that allow the rotor to freely spin inside the housing, and those bearings can break down over time as a result of exposure to heat and dirt.
Driving around with a bad alternator isn`t a smart idea; as damaged or broken alternators can cause a wide range of problems. They can interfere with your car`s electrical features, make it harder to start the engine, and even cause the battery to drain entirely, leaving you with an utterly unresponsive vehicle.
Here`s a rundown of some of the issues that might make a new alternator go bad, or stop working: Jumpstarting the car (or another car) incorrectly. The battery is failing, has been damaged, or has worn down physically. The alternator belt is installed too tightly.
Do I need a new battery after replacing an alternator? NO. unless there is something wrong with the one you have. If the alternator failed in a manner whereby it`s output voltage went crazy to say 17 volts for some time that would have damaged the battery, the old one should be OK.
LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID: WHY IT`S CAUSE FOR CONCERN
Left alone, the little leak will become a bigger one. Eventually, your transmission —which makes sure power gets from the engine to the wheels — won`t be able to perform as it should, and you may experience: Delayed engagement when placed in gear.
To be sure, you`ll need to pinpoint where it`s coming from using your eyes and your nose. Amber, dark brown or even black fluid is probably motor oil, but it could also be brake fluid. Reddish fluid is usually from the transmission, though it could also be power-steering fluid.
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.
The most obvious sign of a transmission fluid leak is the sudden appearance of a fluid puddle beneath a vehicle when parked for extended periods of time. The fluid within this puddle will appear to be red or light brown in color, and will typically appear somewhat thinner in viscosity than engine oil.
Contrary to its purpose, an alternator can drain a battery. It`s rare, but it`s possible. A draw on the battery only occurs if there`s a problem with either a component in the alternator itself or connections to it.
Steps for Fixing a Leaking Rooftop Vent Pipe:
Apply a thick bead of lap-seal caulk around the seam between the vent pipe and old rubber gasket. Then run a second bead of caulk just below the first bead. Slide the replacement rubber gasket over the pipe and press it down tight to the flange.
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. Breather allows the hot air to escape and cool air to enter into the transmission to prevent overheating issue.
Steps for Fixing a Leaking Rooftop Vent Pipe:
Apply a thick bead of lap-seal caulk around the seam between the vent pipe and old rubber gasket. Then run a second bead of caulk just below the first bead. Slide the replacement rubber gasket over the pipe and press it down tight to the flange.
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. Breather allows the hot air to escape and cool air to enter into the transmission to prevent overheating issue.
These systems are controlled by the vehicle Engine Control Unit (ECU). As the vehicle demands more load the ECU sends a signal to the alternator requesting it to start charging. The alternator has to cope with varying electrical loads and adjust its charge rate accordingly.
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. Breather allows the hot air to escape and cool air to enter into the transmission to prevent overheating issue.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
alternator replaced 2 weeks ago and now transmission fluid bubbled and leaked all over the drive
ANSWER : Replacing the alternator does not implicate the transmission. These are completely unrelated vehicle systems. I suppose it is possible that a Mechanic could have added fluid, and to the wrong level, without your permission. Overfilling, as well as under filling, can cause problems with shifting. If it was overfilled, really only the excess would have been forced out; that is, overfilling does not necessarily cause the transmission fluid to completely empty itself out. Sometimes fluid can be forced out if the breather holes or assembly is blocked in the transmission, perhaps combined with overheating. In your present circumstance, the best thing to do is first clean up as much of the mess as possible, so you don’t have burning fluid under the hood and also to make it easier to inspect the issue. Then, check the fluid level, using the right procedure, and see where you are. If the fluid level is OK at the moment, try operating the vehicle and see if the issue recurs. If you still have a leak, obviously it will have to be tracked down and, as noted, the possibility of the breather being obstructed has to be considered. If you do suspect a leak, I recommend you request a transmission leak diagnostic which will provide a resolution of this issue 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 problem after alternator replacement
ANSWER : Hi there. Why was the alternator replaced? Was the battery tested with a digital tester that provides current voltage, cold cranking amps, and state of health? If not, I suggest having that battery tested. A bad cell inside the battery can wreak havoc on electrically controlled systems; especially computer controlled systems. This cell can create voltage spikes and dips where there should be none. I suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to avoid replacing unnecessary parts. Your Mechanic has several available technicians that can assist you with an electrical problems inspection.
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.
My 1993 Ford f-150 is leaking transmission fluid from the rear end of the pan. ive already replaced the gasket as well as the pan
ANSWER : There are two different places it may be leaking if not from a cracked housing at one of the pan bolt holes. The rear tail shaft housing or the shift linkage shaft seal could be leaking. Have the areas cleaned and vehicle run on a lift to isolate where it is coming from.
Sometimes when I shift my car’s automatic transmission into Drive it stays in neutral. Reverse works and trans fluid is full.
ANSWER : It is very possible that you could have some internal transmission damage. I would recommend enlisting in the assistance of a qualified transmission professional to inspect your transmission for internal faults. I must warn that this could be a pricy inspection as it may involve the removal and disassembly of the transmission. However, this is a sure fire way to determine if any internal damage has occured. The good news is that if any damage has occured, it can easily be resolved at that time since the transmissoin has already been disassembled.
Transmission fluid leaking
ANSWER : Although it is not entirely possibly to tell without physically inspecting the car, it is possible that the seals in the CV axles may be failing again or have debris in them causing premature failure. Depending on road conditions where you live, this can be very common in areas with harsh winters or rural areas where the car’s undercarriage may be exposed to dirt and rocks frequently. The important thing is that you are on top of checking the fluid to be sure it does not get low. You may want to consider having a professional from YourMechanic come to your home to take a look at the CV joints/axles on your car to correct the problem before it worsens.
