jerryuus

HI folks, just got a 2004 Lexus ES330, Parked it in the drive way, next day, found a few small spots of transmission fluid. Checked underneath, saw some fluid on drivers side of tranny, small amount. I drained the fluid and the pan had over a gallon in it. I refilled with 3.7 quarts, cleaned the outside of pan, and so far,no more leaks after about 100 miles. I read on another forum that these cars have valve of some kind that will "spit-out" excessive fluid. Anybody know anything bout such a valve?

mmarshall

Welcome to CL as a new poster.

We have specific sub-forums, BTW, for questions like this:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/maintenance-11/

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es300-and-es330-179/

In the meantime, was the fluid that leaked out before (or the fluid you replaced it with) the correct Lexus-spec transmission fluid for this particular car? With today's transmissions, you often cannot just use the regular DOT generic red stuff right off the shelf in the auto-parts store like older transmissions did decades ago. It is very important to use exactly what the manufacturer specifies, as modern automatics today are often designed for a specific type of specialized fluid. Use something else, and you could (?) have problems.....including leaks.

Toys4RJill

Never heard of that.

However, many Toyota and Lexus products use automatic transmission fluid in the steering system for fluid, perhaps your steering rack is leaking.

speedkar9

Check your transmission fluid level properly when the vehicle is hot (after a long trip), on level ground, with the engine ON and in park. 3.7 qts sounds right, but you want to make sure it wasn't previously over filled. A gallon drained sounds on the high side.

I too have read somewhere of a blow off port on the transmission, but I'm not sure if these cars have it. Regardless, it was there to vent transmission fluid if overfilled and pressure built up.

Where was the leak coming from, the top of the transmission or the bottom near the drain bolt or pan gasket?

jerryuus

The leak was on the driver's side, right up from the drain plug. Like I said, I drained the pan, I thought it might have been overfilled at the car dealer's I bought it at, drained out a little over a gallon, re-filled with Royal Purple ATF, 3.7 quarts, all is well!