Transmission Fluid Leak

Transmission fluid is basically the liquid lubricant used to lubricate the various moving parts of the transmission system in a vehicle. The transmission fluid used in the cars today, depends on the type of transmission system it utilizes. Cars with automatic transmission use what is generally referred to as automatic transmission fuel, which also doubles up as the coolant in the working mechanism of the vehicle. On the other hand, cars with manual transmission use different types of oils as the lubricant. Irrespective of what fluid your car uses, one common problem you are bound to face a number of times is the transmission fluid leak.

Diagnosing Transmission Fluid Leak

Being aware of the various transmission fluid leak symptoms can help you in diagnosing the problem and fixing it, in order to prevent further wear and tear. You can determine whether your transmission fluid is leaking by observing the vehicle properly. If any fluid is leaking, there is bound to be a puddle of oil beneath your car, this is in fact the most common symptom of oil leaks in cars. You can also put a white paper beneath your car to ascertain whether any leak exists. A close look at the engine can also help you in determining whether there is any leakage problem. You may also prefer to use a dipstick to find out whether you are losing fluid. One of the most common symptom of transmission fluid leak is engine overheating. If you are experiencing overheating problems quite frequently, it's high time you check for fluid leaks at various places, including the drain plug and various joints.

Transmission Fluid Leak Causes

As your car becomes old, the wear and tear increases and various problems start repeating. One such problem is transmission fluid leak. It can be caused due to several reasons, prominent ones being, broken seal and faulty installation. Transmission seals are made from metal or rubber. Owing to the fact that it is exposed to extreme temperatures throughout the operation of the vehicle, it experiences tremendous wear and tear, and eventually breaks down causing the fluid to leak. Faulty installation is another major cause of transmission fluid leaking. Although rare, any damage caused to the transmission case of the vehicle can also lead to leakage of transmission fluid.

Transmission Fluid Leak Repair

Before you initiate the repair, you will have to asses the seriousness of the problem. Depending on the damage caused and amount of fluid that is being spilled, you will have to decide whether to repair transmission fluid leak yourself or refer to a car workshop. If the problem is minor, you can use stop leak solution to seal the fluid leak. However, if it's a major leak you will have to take the car to a workshop to fix the problem. As a temporary arrangement, you can use stop leak to seal the fluid leakage. But this temporary solution will give way very soon, and you will have to seek professional expertise in order to deal with the problem, once and for all. At the workshop the professionals will asses the damage caused to the transmission system and come up with required car repair option, which may include welding the damaged part or replacing a worn out part. The transmission fluid leak cost will be determined by taking the nature of the problem into consideration. For instance, if the damaged part has to be welded, it may cost you anything between USD15-20.

Transmission fluid leak is a major problem which can eventually cause damage to the engine, and hence should be repaired as soon as possible. If the various moving parts of the transmission system are not properly lubricated, they are bound to get worn out relatively faster. More importantly, if your vehicle uses automatic transmission fluid, which doubles up as coolant, then the damage incurred will be even greater. Although you can utilize one of the numerous oil leak prevention devices available in the market, we feel that proper maintenance of the car is a better option, to ensure that you don't experience any such car problems which would not only affect your smooth ride, but also your wallet.