Hey you tranny guys. For some reason every winter, I go out to my garage to pull my truck out and the there is a little tranny fluid puddle under the truck from the housing hole. Why is this happening only when its winter and very cold? It happens after I park my truck from using it, and then going out the next day. It only happens in the winter a few times and only when its cold. I know your going to say I only notice it in the winter, but I have a white-ish painted floor and the truck is always parked in the garage in summer, so I would notice. Thanks

 

Just wants to be parked in a warmer garage!!!!
Cold seal shrinkage. Clearance changes with temp and allows oil to be sucked past. Put a piece of carpet with plastic under to keep floor clean. I carpeted part of garage and wife loves it. Gets dirty and I replace with carpet out of houses from upgrades. Get it for hauling from carpet shop.

 

Thanks dozer. Makes sence. Now I know what to do with that 10ft piece of carpet lying around. lol

 

Have you checked your coolant hoses? There is a short one on the right side of the engine behind the turbo that is notoriously loose on 2006's. Search here for coolant leak and you should find info.

The coolant is red and it drips down the bellhousing and looks exactly like a transmission fluid leak. Also, for whatever reason, mine did not leak in warm weather, only cold.

Something to check...

HTH,

DaveW

 

Wow. Thanks bud. I will check it out. Was there a TSB on this that you know of?

 

I had the exact same problem, before I read this thread was going to take it to dealer and have them check my transmission, but I found the coolant leak, that red coolant threw me off. Thanks.

 

It seems like almost everyone with an 06 ends up with a drip from the bellhousing.

I couldn't tell where mine was coming from (afraid it was the head gasket) until I searched here...

Sure enough, it was damp around that hose, and tightening the clamps was the cure.

 

I had the same thing, it was the coolant hose.

 

Awesome. Thanks guys. I will let you know if that is it in about 15min.

 

Nice. That is exactly what is was. I had this problem when the truck was new and the dealer couldn't figure it out. It just now started getting really bad. Wiped off the hose to see if I got it tight enough so we will se if it drips anymore. Dripped right to the bell housing. Tried to take a pic for other guys to see, but camera wouldn't work. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

 

i had the same problem as well... that little shorty behind the turbo... i had no idea it was happening this often... good thread, good help. Mele Kalikimaka!!

 

Thank God for this website. I just noticed yesterday a puddle under the truck and I immediately thought tranny fluid. It was dark out so I couldn't see that well but it had a reddish tint and felt kinda oily. Now that i read this I think it may be coolant - the color threw me off too at the time. It is dripping down the front of the bell housing and the only thing that i could think of was front pump seal. The coolant hose now makes sense. If it was the seal I would think the fluid would come out the inspection cover. This is in front of the bell housing between it and the oil pan. Will have to check it out tommorrow to see if that's it now that I know what to look for. I have a feeling that's what it is since it seems to be common problem with 06s. I was afraid to look too close for fear of something major... this place rocks.

 

Hey Guys,
Long time no posts. Been busy as a three legged dog in a fire hydrant factory. But, here I am again, with what I think is the same problem you've all been describing. Only thing is, and I'm pretty sure, the fluid is not red, it appears to be clear.

Here's my story. Last year some time, I can't remember if it was winter or not, I noticed this small spot (about 4" dia.) in the driveway, right under the tranny. After some serious inspecting I found this leaking rubber hose on the passenger side right next to the engine. It's almost vertical, approximately 5" long, connecting what appears to be painted black metal tubing, very close to the engine block, near/behind the turbo. It appears to have some sort of foil lining. The leak seemed to be coming from the top clamp. Using a screwdriver, I tightened it, and never saw the spot again. I counted my blessings and thanked the Cummins Gods and forgot about it.

The other day, after recently (1 month) doing my scheduled maintenance, I noticed a spot of fluid that was 12" in diameter or more. The truck had only been parked 4 days but because of the size of the spot I really freaked out this time. This was too much fluid so I figured I either broke the seal on the front pumpkin since that's where I jack from (I do use a block of wood between the jack saddle and truck but.....) or maybe I didn't tighten the oil drain pan plug enough. I actually saw a drip hit the ground, right from the tranny bell housing, ok, not my first instinct but maybe worse, maybe the tranny. The next day in better light I got under and saw that most of the residue on the bell housing was primarily on the passenger’s side. I immediately opened the hood and started to check that hose. Again it seemed to be leaking!!!!! This time, not wanting to strip the screw I used a socket wrench and tightened it again. I put a piece of cardboard under her and the next morning there was only a single spot, the size of a quarter. The fluid appears to be clear????? Not red.

If it wasn't so darn cold I would have spent more time, got all the way under it and wiped everything clean. So because I'm a wimp, I'm not sure if this was excess fluid that had dripped before and was just making it's way down.

But my thoughts and questions to you are this:
1) Am I even talking about the same thing you all are?
If so, it makes sense to hear more about this in cold weather months because I bet the tubing is expanding/contracting more then.
2) What is this fluid/system?
3) I'm driving the truck today, should I not be under the circumstances?
3) Is this line/system under constant pressure?
4) If I do have the same problem as everyone else, is it possible to replace this factory rubber hose and the cheap hose clamps with maybe a braided stainless hose and serious clamps without draining something?

I feel I have the same problem but I want/need conformation from ya'll. Please tell me this is my problem and not something more serious.

Thanks,
Rob

 

Have you had the coolant changed? If so they might have used Zerex Hoat, which isn't dyed red like the factory stuff.

I think if I were you I'd first put a screw driver (or even gently with a 1/4" ratchet) on the clams and see if one or both are loose.

That way if the dripping stops, you've confirmed where it was coming from- then you could consider changing clamps knowing you are on the right track.

On mine, I could feel a little dampness on the tube by the ends of the hose. If yours is damp there, I'd bet that is what is dripping.

 

I changed my transmission fluid the other day and found (before I began) that my trans pan actually was seeping a bit.

Just FYI, trans pan bolt torque is 120 in-lb