Hi All,

I had my transmission oil flushed ~25k miles ago(total @ 214k). When I checked the transmission fluid level today (after the engine was warmed up and was in drive) the stick indicated I was on the low side. I put the cars on jacks to get a better look underneath and the entire bottom half of the transmission was covered in oil with a red tint to it. I am assuming this is the transmission's Type IV fluid and I am leaking oil somewhere..

So here are my questions..
1) Have any of you experienced anything like this? I realize the car is getting old (2001) and things like this happen, but I thought the 5 speed's were nearly bulletproof?

2) If something is leaking out of my transmission(not the gasket between the bottom to the transmission, I see it leaking down from above this part) Would I have to drop the transmission to fix it?

2b) If I do have to drop the transmission, I would have to take it to a shop.. Any ideas on estimates of how much this would cost? Am I looking at a $1000?

Thanks!

 

I know to remove the trans at the dealer pays 8hrs labor for a RWD vehicle. I would recommend trying to jack the car up and see if you can pinpoint the leak the best you can before resorting to just dropping the trans.

 

^ do what he have said, get under there and pinpoint the leak....
Check all the drain plugs, make sure their all torqued down to spec.

 

Had a similar problem in my wife''s Honda. We pinpointed leak to the gasket by using a dye. You might want to ask about this.

 

thanks for all the advice, I will have the car lifted again on Saturday and report my findings for others that might have this issue.