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Transmission fluid on garage floor, where to start?

9K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  AzTraveller 
#1 ·
I have 2001 T&C. This morning after my wife brought the kids to school, she noticed when pulling back into the garage there was transmission fluid on the garage floor. A decent amount about 8" X 4" wide.

On Monday the engine light came on P0455...A large leak has been detected in the evaporative system. Not sure if this is related or not. I did replace some cracked hoses on Monday night and pulled the battery and so far the light didn't come back on.

Any suggestions on where to start? Read on the forum about the gasket leaking. How difficult is that to replace, any tips/tricks? Are there any hoses that could be leaking?

I told her that I couldn't fix it through the phone but would like some ideas of where to start when I go home tonight and she's standing there with the car jacked up holding a flashlight and wrench.
 
#3 ·
could be PS fluid also. On my van they are the same fluid.

craw underneath and look up at the transmission. If it is not there start looking at hoses. Check the level of the transmission and PS fluids and see if either are low.
 
#4 ·
I had the transmission oil cooler and the hoses in my van replaced this summer. There was not a puddle, but the bottom of the pan was wet with transmission fluid.

I second the suggestion to check both the transmission and the power steering fluid levels, as both may use ATF+4. However, in the 2001 model year, I don't believe they had yet switched over to ATF+4 in the power steering system, so unless it was serviced by a dealer, it probably has regular old DOT Power Steering Fluid in it. If you check the Power steering and it has clear or grayish liquid in it, your leak is definitely the transmission or transmission cooler or hoses.
 
#5 · (Edited)
May be power steering fluid

My father-in-lawjust stopped by and took a look at the van. He believes it's power steering fluid coming from the power steering pump, he could see the fluid leaking at one of the bolts. The leak is on the passenger side in line with the front wheel.

Will take a look when I get home and post back what I find, hopefully with some pictures if I can't figure it out.
 
#7 ·
Water pump?

Not to sound snide, but how did you mistake coolant for trans fluid?

Anyway, it's pretty involved, but you can do it if you have a Saturday to dedicate to it.

Word of advice, change the timing belt while you're at it, and the timing belt tensioner too. Also, get yourself a good quality NEW water pump, not a re-manufactured one.
 
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