Trans leak

jrm1966 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 12:34 PM

This is my first post . Great site here. I have a 03 Highlander and I notice a small trans leak on the garage floor. It seems to be coming from a small -open looking- slot at the very bottom of the trans. Any ideas?
Thanks

ddvk · #2 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrm1966

This It seems to be coming from a small -open looking- slot at the very bottom of the trans

Please clarify "small -open looking- slot ", are you talking about the tranny pan or the tranny itself.

jrm1966 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 03:40 PM

Sorry bout that, I figured that I needed to explain it better. I will take a pic when the wife gets home with it. But it is not on the pan I don't think.
Thanks

jrm1966 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-31-2006, 08:31 AM

Here is a pic. Maybe it is not coming out of the little slot next to the drop hanging there.

ddvk · #5 (**permalink**) 10-31-2006, 09:51 AM

Can you tell me how many miles does you vehicle have and when was the last time the tranny was serviced?

On the first look, I beg to tell it doesn't look like a tranny leak (it isn't a leak but seepage). It could be oil dripped over the tranny when the engine oil filter was replaced. I would wash the surface where the seepage is with detergerent nice (degreaser first followed with washing detergent) and clean and check back during next oil change.

BTW, I have the similar seepage over the bottom of the tranny in my 2000 maxima and I or my mechanic could not find the source of the seepage but we determined with certainity it wasn't the tranny!!!

So don't worry for now, keep us posted on the above exercise on your highlander!!!

jrm1966 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-31-2006, 10:19 AM

I will clean it off this evening and get a better look. It has about 50,000 on it and I hope it was serviced when I got it about 6 months ago.
Thanks

THarms · #7 (**permalink**) 10-31-2006, 09:33 PM

That looks like engine oil and not tranny fluid dripping.

LifeTech · #8 (**permalink**) 11-02-2006, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THarms

That looks like engine oil and not tranny fluid dripping.

ditto, looks like engine oil....darker and thicker than trans fluid.

but yes, clean and observe closely. I am very anal about leaks...thats why I always make sure my fluid changes are neat and clean, so I don't percieve sloppiness for leaks.

Maybe your prior service oil change was sloppy. Oil from the removal of the filter will get all over the bottom of engine trans. on these HL's and most of the Toy V6's in general. The filters are horizontal and the antidrainback valve on OE filters and even cheap aftermarkets are inferior. And leak more oil than necessary. I feel the Mobil 1 and K& N filters retain most of the oil when they are removed.