auto tranny steady leak... healed itself ? ?
Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 1:17 pm
At this point I'm considering it a freak thing, but mayby somewone can tell me what might have caused it and is it a sign of imminent failure?
Situation: my '88 bII automatic trans started loosing fluid, a steady small stream out the front where it bolts uo to the engine. We had driven out onto the beach in hi 4WD, (Truck does not overheat and showed no signs of doing that that day), plus we parked for about 3 hrs. and on start-up to leave it started the leak. Drove for a short distance ...just to beach exit.... and thenshutdown to tow back home.
Fastforward 2 days... put 1 1/2 qt.s ATF in to verify leak .... and guess what... no leak. Nothing since for over a week now driving to/from work in/out 4WD, ( not that that would have anything to do with it). Because I did'nt drive it low on fluid, theres no clutch damage and it shifts fine just as before. I am carrying a spare gallon of fluid now.
So, some guy, who knows some guy, tells me : An internal valve stuck and the over-pressured fluid puked out the front seal. On re-start the valve simply un-stuck.
-Does this sound reasonable ?
- Does it mean it's SURELY gonna happen again and SOON?
-Should I avoid long trips?
-Should I be looking for another tranny or is this valve acessable and easily replaced during a normal fluid change-out?
Of course, this is a fairly major issue with my otherwise reliable BII so I'd sure appreciate some real knowledgable insight.
Thanks guys, dave
Situation: my '88 bII automatic trans started loosing fluid, a steady small stream out the front where it bolts uo to the engine. We had driven out onto the beach in hi 4WD, (Truck does not overheat and showed no signs of doing that that day), plus we parked for about 3 hrs. and on start-up to leave it started the leak. Drove for a short distance ...just to beach exit.... and thenshutdown to tow back home.
Fastforward 2 days... put 1 1/2 qt.s ATF in to verify leak .... and guess what... no leak. Nothing since for over a week now driving to/from work in/out 4WD, ( not that that would have anything to do with it). Because I did'nt drive it low on fluid, theres no clutch damage and it shifts fine just as before. I am carrying a spare gallon of fluid now.
So, some guy, who knows some guy, tells me : An internal valve stuck and the over-pressured fluid puked out the front seal. On re-start the valve simply un-stuck.
-Does this sound reasonable ?
- Does it mean it's SURELY gonna happen again and SOON?
-Should I avoid long trips?
-Should I be looking for another tranny or is this valve acessable and easily replaced during a normal fluid change-out?
Of course, this is a fairly major issue with my otherwise reliable BII so I'd sure appreciate some real knowledgable insight.
Thanks guys, dave