Is this a transmission leak of concern?

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Is this a transmission leak of concern?

February 25, 2021, 06:01:12 pm

This year's DMV love letter included the first Smog Check 'request'. Found a shop around the corner to do it.
This is the first time I have had the doghouse off since I drove off the Mothership lot.
I was a bit disconcerted to see the oily residue atop the the transmission when I looked in.
Should I be concerned? The tech opined it was just 'froth' from a long drive. Not my area of expertise.
Just a hair under 50K and almost always tow.
Thanks in advance
Joel

Re: Is this a transmission leak of concern?

Reply #1 – February 25, 2021, 07:08:48 pm

Was the spot wet or has it dried? Is it using any transmission fluid or engine oil?

Looking down, toward the middle eof the photo, you can see a black, round-shaped thing, surrounded by black goo, that's the transmissions breather.
When the transmission is hot, flumes of vaporized oil, mixed with hot air, exit. As things heat up, they expand.
The inside of any well-used engine compartment will have similar deposits, in various places.
As long as nothing is wet with or using oil, you should be fine.

Larry

Re: Is this a transmission leak of concern?

Reply #2 – February 25, 2021, 07:16:13 pm

Well, Larry, I'm glad you posted, because I suspected that the 'froth' could be an oil leak.

Re: Is this a transmission leak of concern?

Reply #3 – February 25, 2021, 07:24:07 pm

Quote from: Joan - February 25, 2021, 07:16:13 pm

Well, Larry, I'm glad you posted, because I suspected that the 'froth' could be an oil leak.

It depends on if the spot is wet or dry. If it is gooey wet, look into it. If it is dried on, there usually is nothing to worry about, it is the condensed vapors that have escaped from the various mechanical things, either from around seals or from the breathers.
Having a spotless engine compartment requires frequent cleaning.

Larry

Re: Is this a transmission leak of concern?

Reply #4 – February 25, 2021, 07:34:12 pm

The vent will also spit some fluid out if someone overfills the ATF or tops it off unnecessarily.

I've overfilled a bit after an ATF change and had something like that as a result.

Rich

Re: Is this a transmission leak of concern?

Reply #5 – February 25, 2021, 11:55:30 pm

Thanks all. It was sort of like the 'first scratch' as nothing else has been leaking so far.
joel

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