3 Causes of Transmission Fluid Leaks That Students in Auto Repair Programs Should Know

For an aspiring auto mechanic, you’ll probably come across frustrated customers who’ll drive into your auto shop complaining about red or pink fluid leaking from their vehicles. That’s the transmission fluid, which is transmission oil that protects and lubricates the transmission system. When there’s leakage, it means there are some serious issues that’ll need to be addressed. If left without repair, the transmission’s performance will suffer and can sustain costly damages. 

At ATC Toronto, you’ll get hands-on training in servicing and repairing different types of vehicles and models. The training you’ll receive will prepare you to handle customer inquiries about their transmission fluid leakage and assess the cause of the leak. 

Read on to discover three causes of transmission fluid leaks! 

1. Those in Auto Careers Should Pay Attention to Pan Gaskets

One of the most common causes of transmission fluid leaks that you’ll probably encounter with customer vehicles is a cracked or damaged gasket on the transmission pan. There are several reasons why the gasket is usually the culprit. Sometimes the gasket’s condition deteriorates because of poor manufacturing quality, and other times it’s due to a previous bad installation alignment. 

Those in auto careers may notice that the gasket deteriorates over time due to heat exposure in hot weather. When you determine that the cause of the transmission fluid leak is the gasket, it’s best to advise your customers of its immediate replacement, since waiting will only cause more serious issues down the road.

2. Check for a Broken Transmission Pan 

Another cause of transmission fluid leakage you may encounter after your auto technology training is a damaged or broken transmission pan. Over time, with consistent driving, the transmission pan will be broken down due to wear and tear. This happens because the transmission pan is continuously exposed to all the dirt, debris and rocks on the roads that bang against it. Any sort of punctured holes in the transmission pan will eventually lead to transmission fluid leakage. The bigger the hole in the pan, the faster the transmission fluid will leak. This is easily noticeable when you refill the transmission fluid. At the same time, check for loose bolts or drain plugs and do the proper tightening.  

3. Cracked or Broken Seals May Also Be the Cause

Sometimes diagnosing and repairing a transmission fluid leak takes a little more work than a simple glance. That’s the case with transmission seals. A vehicle’s automatic transmission assists with hydraulic pressure through different transmission seals. Over time though, the transmission seals will wear, tear and crack, as they’re constantly exposed to heat. 

When you suspect that the transmission seal is to blame, you’ll have to do a thorough inspection of the transmission system. Check for faulty transmission seals that need replacing in either the output or input shafts, as well as in the driveshaft, sensors, valve body, speedometer, plug seals, shifter housing seal and the tail housing seal. A thorough inspection will prevent any further damage to the transmission in the long run.

Are you interested in auto repair programs?

Contact ATC Toronto for more information!