Hello,
My name is Dale and I will try to help you.
Do you have any idea about where the fluid is originating from on the transmision? Sounds like a silly question and I do realize that the air blows the fluid all over the place so it is difficult to tell where it is coming from but there are a number of possiblities that could cause you problem. Did it just start leaking one day or was there some work performed on the transmission prior to the leak starting? If you could fill me in a little bit more about the situation I may be able to help you isolate the leak.
Sincerely,
Dale
No work on the trans. Engine work done recently. Valve cover seal. Replace the Left axel. The leak is new. I was driving highway 55-60 mph. After about 70 miles the car was very slow to start moving at a lite. Then it lost all drive on a turn up an incline. Checked 2 qt low. Filled. came back those 70 miles no problem (alto I lost the tach. Don't supposed there is any connection but just FYI). I have NOT been under to look. I did notice an oder of burning fluid coming from midships.Seemed strange for a ft wheel drive. No smoke visible. Car has NOT leaked in driveway. Been about 18 hrs now nothing. There has been some rain, no slick, fluid level same (I actually overfilled a bit and is still a little high.)
Need anything else ask away. Car has 120K on it. It has a wheelchair lift. That is why I bought it. Just need to get limited use out of it.
I am told I can live with this for a few hundred miles if I am careful to keep fluid level up. But eventuallly it will start spurting fluid in cups and I won't be able to go 10mi w/o adding.
That right?
Well it depends on where it's coming from. If it is coming out of the overflow tube at the very top of the case, that could be true but that usually does not happen that way. Sounds like someone trying to scare you into a transmission rebuild if you asked me.
So I really need to crawl under there while its hot and leaking to get a look.
That what you are saying?
Unfortunately the answer is YES you will need to find out where the fluid is coming from before we can come up with a completed diagnosis and a repair procedure. I would put it up on a hoist at a shop somewhere so you can get a good look at what is going on. Do Not wait to long before you put it up on a rack and take a look. It could be as simple as a leaking transmission cooler line hose. Not very hard to repair but if it lets go it will pump all the fluid out at one time and possibly burn the transmission up. So you need to find the source as soon as you have the time. Not trying to scare you. Just possibly save you a stack of money and problems.
Automotive Diagnostic Technician
40 years of Automotive Technical Knowledge, Teacher, Diagnostic Specialist