I got me a strange tranny leak I just found last night. I pulled the truck out of the garage to go to a meeting, garage was dry. Neighbor pulled up and wanted to talk for a bit, truck idling in the driveway, slight downhill. Left for meeting. Came home, saw large pubble of tranny oil in driveway. Looked under truck that's now in the garage, it was dry, noticed oily crossmembers. Fired up truck and idled for 15 minutes, dry. Pulled it out into driveway, noticed it starting to drip from what looks like the inspection cover. Front pump seal?? Seems like it does it only when facing downhill.........

 

I've got the same/similar problem - I picked my truck up on Saturday and parked it in my driveway (nose up) - came out Sunday morning, looked under the truck (no leaks) - started truck let idle for a few minutes then backed out and noticed a fair size puddle of ATF fluid (1/4 cup) - looked under the truck and there was a drip, drip, drip from the black steel inspection cover - checked the tranny level and it was ok - drove it up to the farm (20 minutes) and checked everything again - no leaks - checked it throughout the day - no leaks - parked it in my drive last night this time nose down - same thing this morning, no leaks until I started it up - ???

Tranny was changed 27,000 km's ago (17,000 miles) and is just out of the 20,000 km warranty - previous owner of course knows nothing of the leak Tranny fluid is in good condition - level is on the bottom quarter of the OK zone on the dipstick - tranny seems to shift/work fine.

Could this be a seal that is leaking until warmed up?? Any help/info would be greatly appreciated - it would suck if I have a big problem on my hands.

 

Are you possitive that it is tranny leaking and not coolant? The coolant in these truck from the factory is dyed red/pink and can be mistaken for atf.

 

I will definately double check but the fluid is quite thick like oil and not liquid like antifreeze. The drip, drip is bottom, dead centre on the inspection cover and I'm pretty sure just at cold start up because I was keeping an eye on it yesterday and moving it around every couple hours or more - all day today it has been sitting level in the parking lot here at work - I will see if sitting level for a long time does anything different at cold start up.

If I'd have to guess I'm into a seal of some sort.

Thanks.

 

I have the same exact issue. It's happened 2 times - but no leaks after it's all warmed up, only if I run it for a few minutes then shut it down.

 

I just talked with a guy I work with (an ex-auto mechanic). He tells me that diesel engines run hotter and "heat-work" the seals which can cause them to harden which would create a "cold-start" leak problem that can clear up after heated up. I might be into TC seals or pump seals???

 

I checked mine when I got home after work, and it's the coolant. The overflow tank has a small hose on it right next to the battery, and there was a prefect trail of cooland from that hose, down the wheel well, and onto part of the suspension, right to the ground. I even saw it drip. Whew!! I'm glad that's is instead of a tranny leak since I'm 15k out of warranty now.

 

Everyone with a suspected tranny, check the coolant hose under the exhaust manifold and the back of the engine. The coolant running down the block and dripping off the TC cover will look just like trans fluid. This is a know issues on these trucks and there are replacemnt clamps for the hose.

 

When I first bought my 06 I had the "I think I have a Tranny Leak" Searched around here and found the over engineered 3" hose, flex joint behind and below the turbo.

Dave

 

I checked the hose under the exhause manifold, and mine looked fine so far.

 

Well I was really hoping it was coolant but... I left my truck out on the street last night (level ground) - this morning I crawled underneath cleaned the inspection cover really well - grabbed a clear jug and positioned it directly under the cover - started the truck up let it idle and watched - then after about 30 seconds - drip, drip, drip - 100% for sure it's ATF - let it sit idling for 5 minutes or so and the drip, drip slowed right down but it had already dripped about an ounce and a half of fluid (or so). Drove to work (10 miles) got out and kept it idling for 5 minutes then took another look - it just looked like it was about to drip but not dripping - must have sealed up with heat. Definately a tranny thing - like I said TC seal/pump seal?? I got a reference from a friend for a tranny shop I might give them a call. I guess I'll go grab a jug of ATF fluid too.

Anyone change these seals? How hard? I have to get a parts breakdown of the TC/tranny to visualize things better. I have a general idea of the auto tranny arrangement but it is nice to clearly see the parts breakdown.

Anyone have a parts page they could scan, attach or post somehow? I'm going to try to find a Haynes manual to buy tonight too. Chrysler dealer here tells me they can't get the factory service manual for my truck anymore??

 

You know I've been trying to figure this out? I have a leak at my tranny inspection cover plate. It's been doing it for a good while now. What blows my mind is I was deployed for 7 month's, truck was in storage, just sat for 7 month's. When I returned it was covered with fluid. I've checked the coolant line that everyone is talking about underneath the turbo, I didn't see any coolant leaking. My fluids are good, tranny and coolant. What I don't understand is the truck didn't run for 7 month's and it was leaking something anyways and my fluids are good. I just don't know??? It's really starting to bother me, I'm losing faith and trust in my truck that it may soon one day leave me stranded on the side of the road.

 

I think I may have the same problem. Looking from underneath there is a flex hose that seems to be leaking. This is on the passenger side, above the oil pan, toward the rear of the block. I'm getting a golden color leak, that seems to evaporate after a few days on the garage floor. Was this the same issue you had with yours?

Thx.

 

dieselfamily,

I got ya covered on your other post.

The coolant sure looks like tranny juice, and it leaks down on the tranny cover...

But you guys that are sure it's trans fluid let us know what you find.

It's always something isn't it???

 

I had the same problem.Finally traced it to the rubber grommett where the dip stick tube goes into the transmission body.Passenger side of truck front of transmission. There is one 13mm bolt that holds the dipstick tube. Got a new grommett from the dealer for $2 just pushes into the transmission body.