If you’re driving your car and notice that you smell something burning, there’s a chance it’s not an engine issue. Instead, you may be smelling the result of a transmission fluid leak. Here are some common causes of transmission fluid leaks in your vehicle and what you can do to fix them before they cause more damage.
Failing Valves
Transmission valves are an essential part of your car’s transmission. If they fail, transmission fluid can leak. Transmission fluid leaks can cause various transmission problems. If you notice your vehicle is leaking transmission fluid, getting it fixed as soon as possible is essential. Otherwise, you could end up stranded on the side of the road.
Transmission Pan Gasket
The transmission pan gasket is the most common transmission fluid leak. So if your car starts to leak transmission fluid, it could be because the gasket has failed and needs to be replaced. If your transmission is low on fluid it can cause you to feel your vehicle hesitate or jerk when shifting gears.
Failing Solenoid
One common cause of transmission fluid leaks is a failing solenoid. A solenoid is an electromechanical valve that controls the flow of transmission fluid. When it fails, transmission fluid can leak out. This can cause the transmission to slip or not engage properly.
Internal Seals Failures
The most common cause of transmission fluid leaks is the failure of the internal seals. Over time, these seals can degrade and develop cracks, allowing transmission fluid to seep out. This can happen for several reasons, including age, extreme temperatures, and extended periods of inactivity. If you notice your transmission fluid level is low, it’s essential to have it checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
Transmission Line Failure
A common cause of transmission fluid leaks is failure of the transmission lines. The transmission lines deliver the fluid from the pump to the rest of the system; if they fail, the fluid will leak out. This can happen due to a leak in the torque converter, cracks in the line, or damage to the drain plug. These gaskets can deteriorate over time or maybe damaged during installation or repair.
Leaking transmission fluid is a problem that needs to be addressed as soon as its noticed. If you ignore leaking fluid, you will end up with severe transmission damage, resulting in total transmission failure. See your mechanic if your transmission is leaking fluid to get the cause diagnosed and fixed.
