3rd & 4th Generation (19921996 & 19972001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
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I have been losing Transmission Fluid recently . Approx 4 quarts in two months time .
The only problem is , I can't figure out where it is going !!!
I have parked several nights over large carboard sheets to try to see if I had a leaking seal or whatever . Not a drop on any kind of liquid on the cardboard . It is just going away and I can't seem to discover where it goes to .
The only way I have been "Notified" of the low fluid is when the Trans starts to slip on takeoff . I immediately check and add fluid to keep from damaging the Trans .
I had an old Ford Galaxy in the late 80's that had a defective Vacuum Modulator on the Automatic Trans and it was actually sucking the Trans Fluid into the Carb and burning it off there . That took a devil of a long time to locate , but just minutes to replace the Vacuum Modulator on the Auto Trans .
My Question is this : Is this same thing possible on a GEN 3 Auto Trans ?
Is there an equivalent part such as the Ford Vacuum Modulator that might be
Although ist is not making puddles, look at the under carriage for a shiny wet trail along the floor board, look at the trunk and bumper after a long drive.
If the trunk/bumber have dots of oil you found your proof.
It sounds like you need to get under it, get a light and look it over much closer.
Your free ticket for running out of fluid is just about up. That is burned clutches as a result of slipping (no fluid) will begin to show. Do not let it run out of fluid again. Find the leak!
Basically is sounds like it might be leaking only when in a specified gear i.e. under pressure and not a Pan drip or something like that.
I guess what I am saying is that, you need to look closer. 4 quarts is way too much to go unnoticed....
Take a look and tell us what you find.... That much ATF will usually leave a VERY CLEAN trail as it is so high in detergent. So look for the wet clean spot.
Regards,
73...
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95 Cam, V6 1MZ, Auto A541E, LE >245,000 miles!
I actually did all of this before I posted . But just for the sake of argument , I did it again .
No oil dripping , no really clean spots . There is not even any different colored smoke from the tailpipe that would indicate that the fluid is being burned off .
Mysterious .
I even went and checked the radiator after reading a post here concerning a leaky trans cooler . No Joy !
Any one got thoughts about the Vacuum Modulator scenario ?
Is this an I4 or V6! Both original transmissions are electrically controlled and would not have a modulator hose going to the intake manifold, etc. Check for oil leaking out of any location where a sensor, control arm, etc comes through the case. Fluid may be leaking out of the front transmission seal into the bell housing, this should run out a hole in the bottom of the housing.
Might give the trans and underside a good cleaning then watch for fluid. Don’t put the water onto any engine ignition items or the engine may not start. Until you find the leak, strongly suggest check your transmission fluid on an ongoing basis and top it off regularly. Ongoing slipping due to lack of fluid will damage it.
Is this an I4 or V6! Both original transmissions are electrically controlled and would not have a modulator hose going to the intake manifold, etc. Check for oil leaking out of any location where a sensor, control arm, etc comes through the case. Fluid may be leaking out of the front transmission seal into the bell housing, this should run out a hole in the bottom of the housing.
Might give the trans and underside a good cleaning then watch for fluid. Dont put the water onto any engine ignition items or the engine may not start. Until you find the leak, strongly suggest check your transmission fluid on an ongoing basis and top it off regularly. Ongoing slipping due to lack of fluid will damage it.
True, unit has no modulator -
I can't image a full quart let alone 4 qts vanishing without a trace....
Good point about the radiator - Once you take the cap off, it is very obvious you have a problem!
All I can say is look again or take it somewhere so it is up on a rack and you have better view...
Regards,
73...
__________________
95 Cam, V6 1MZ, Auto A541E, LE >245,000 miles!
You'll see it leaking somewhere. It's most likekly coming out of the over-fill vent. Slung out of the differential where the axles are. The seal between the differential & transmission, pan, or fill bolt.
You can also be leaking it into the coolant via the radiator cooler.
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hey,
u might have tried this ,but Im reiterating what someone said before...Maybe it happens only under pressure.So you might try to run the car on jackstands(with handbrake and rear wheel chocks) .......Then maybe you can see a drip or look at oil burning symptoms in the exhaust... etc.
If you have odne this before ignore the post and good luck with your searches..
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