Auto transmission overflow

[Nobites]

Giday hoping someone can give me some advice and in a terms a layman can understand.

I have a landrover discovery series 2 TD5 auto. Recently I had it in for a service and since I got it back it has leaked transmission fluid especially when it is hot. I have driven it with no problems during cold days then when it is hot and I park it on the driveway it leaks.

I took it back to the mechanic and they took out the filler plug and it spewed fluid out and he told me that was because it was hot. He then inspected the transmission and stated the leak appeared to be coming from the passenger side of the transmission just above some wires. He stated there is an internal seal that he believes is blown and will need to replace which is a 3-4 hour job.

My question is if my vehicle is overfilled with transmission fluid is there a safey relief valve that allows the fluid to escape and if so is it located roughly where they have stated the leak is coming from.

Appreciate any help in this matter

Regards Nobites

[Pedro_The_Swift]

There have been a few posts stating it is good to overfill them,,,

was it leaking before you had it serviced?

[Nobites]

I had taken it in to have other leaks fixed but this appears to be a new leak. I had leaks and service done at the same time. Mech says this is new the fluid on the ground is red and appears to be new ie no discolouration to it.

I have looked at the goodoil site but I struggle to understand not very technically mnded.

Nobites

[dinosaur]

check www.discovery2.co.uk (http://www.discovery2.co.uk), look at servicing the auto, you will find they have to be overfilled. fill to overflow when still, then have someone start engine and move gearshift through p -1, and you can get another litre or so into them before they overflow again.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

there are no adjustments,,
just drop the sump, clean/replace filter replace sump.

There is a set of instructions on how to fill one properly though

[Blknight.aus]

the correct fill is done with the engine running after you've cycled it through all the gears and have it in neutral.

fill it up then allow the excess oil to run out untill the bead of oil that is flowing out of the hole is 2mm in diameter.

now, thats kind of ambiguous so heres how I define it.

the "bead" of the oil is the point where the flow of the oil first goes from being oval shaped from coming out of the fill hole to being round. When the oil comes out it will be initially U shaped it then takes a 90 degree turn as dictated by gravity and pulls back in towards the socket due to surface tension. once the oil is free of the socket and falling it will start to form a circular "tube" of oil this is where you want to measure, the start of that tube. Typically this is a point about 5mm below the bottom of the fill socket.

[Nobites]

First up thanks to all for your replies I do appreciate it. Just to clarify my problem is the transmission leaking after it was filled and I was trying find out if there was a safety release mechanism to release pressure if the transmission was overfilled and heated up.

So from what I gather from your post pedro is if the transmission was overfilled then when the fluid became hot and expanded there is no safety relief mechanism and with the build up of pressure it would blow a seal. Would this be correct.

BiKnight the flow that I saw coming out of the filler hole was a steady stream that projected 1 inch from the hole before gravity started to drag it down. The transmission was hot when this was done.

I washed the engine bay down today and had a look from the top to see if I could see where it was coming from (why I dont know as I have no idea how to fix). The fluid seemed to be pooling on a 'shelf' on the side of the engine just in front of where the transmission is connected to the engine if that helps with any ideas.

Again thankyou all for your assistance and I apologise for my vague description but I am not very technically minded.

Nobites

[Blknight.aus]

thats normal for a hot transmission thats been standing for more than about 10 minutes.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

As the filler hole doubles as the level indicator unless you turn the D2 on its side I'm not sure how much you can overfill it.

As it is,
its probably now running underfull---:eek:

[landcol]

I know this may be no help as leak sound as it may be further up but after recently having my own auto serviced it is quite common for a corner on the gasket to fold in reapplication letting fluid create puddles under car over night or through the day

[Nobites]

As the filler hole doubles as the level indicator unless you turn the D2 on its side I'm not sure how much you can overfill it.

As it is,
its probably now running underfull---:eek:

Pedro would it be possible to do if the car was jacked up at the front to allow the mech to slide under to do it??

Nobites

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I would think its a two person job, one to run through the gears and the other tops up when told,,

anyone?

where is not important but I think it must be level---

[clubagreenie]

FWIW I Filled mine as per rebuilder, from new. Driven onto ramps to get it higher at the front. Then fill, start, run through gears and fill, repeat until it won't take anymore. Runs perfectly, no issues, no leaks.

Forgot to mention, take for a drive and check again. once it can operate fully then it'll push out air in the cooler. I was doing this after rebuiding engine and box though.

[BIG O]

NoBites,, you said, "had a look from the top to see if I could see where it was coming from (why I dont know as I have no idea how to fix). The fluid seemed to be pooling on a 'shelf' on the side of the engine just in front of where the transmission is connected to the engine ".

That sounds like engine oil to me.

Are you referring to the bell housing part of the transmission?

[biggin]

Perhaps you may have damaged the oil cooler lines somehow.
It's not running down from the crimped fitting at the front of the motor is it? I know mine is.:(

[Hastykiwi]

Blknight was pointing out that you have to run the engine to get all the oil required, in to the box. The point of this is if you fill to the 2mm bead level with the engine running, when you turn the engine off while filler plug is off, you will get a full on plug size flow of trans fluid pouring out. ( I have tested this unfortunately). So, in summary, you may not have been overfilled, but because it was soon after a refill, and you oped the filler plug with engine off, whooosh!

cheers
Nick

[Nobites]

Thanks to all, have tried several times to find exactly where the leak is coming from. Finally climbed under the car with the wash gun at the local car wash and sprayed underneath whilst on my back very pleasant job highly recommend it to anyone lol. Went for drive then climbed under again. Noticed red coloured fluid dripping from just behind the filler plug off two bolt heads behind the drain plug. Followed the trail up the side of the casing to where looks like some wires come out and appears the leak is starting from there. So guess have to bight the bullet, shake the moths out of the wallet, take out a second mortgage and take it to the mech lol.

In all seriousness I would like to thank all that answered and gave advice and assistance I did appreciate your time and effort.

Kindest Regards Nobites

[Nobites]

Perhaps you may have damaged the oil cooler lines somehow.
It's not running down from the crimped fitting at the front of the motor is it? I know mine is.:(

Thanks mate will have a look but dont think so.

[Nobites]

NoBites,, you said, "had a look from the top to see if I could see where it was coming from (why I dont know as I have no idea how to fix). The fluid seemed to be pooling on a 'shelf' on the side of the engine just in front of where the transmission is connected to the engine ".

That sounds like engine oil to me.

Are you referring to the bell housing part of the transmission?

Cleaned the oil off and has not come back so not sure now how this shelf ended up with oil.

[clubagreenie]

Who knows if the pan has a gasket or uses sealant?

I'd get a kit and replace filter and gasket or reseal with appropriate sealant. I only mention this as a guy I used to work with had his toyota serviced and started leaking auto around the pan. Took it back and they said he had bent the pan and needed replacing, @ $400+.

Had a look and they'd not put the bolt through two of the holes in the gasket so about 3 inches were hard bolted to the block of the auto and the rest was sealed (with gaps at either side of the missing section). Removed and replaced and was ok.

Won't kill you to look at seals, I'd also recommend using Penrite SIN ATF as well. All you guys with issues live in VIC so sorry I can't help there.

[Nobites]

Can not believe was over 12 months that I posted this so guess should tell what has happened.

Turned out the leak was from the speed sensor where it goes into the transmission. I was quoted around 700 :thumbsdown:to fix it when a mate showed up with the rave cd. :BigThumb: We had a look at what we needed to do and thought hey why not.

So I ordered the seal for $2.10, 8 litres of dex 3 for about $65, new pan seal/oil filter for $40 and to work we went. Was the first time either of us had done this so took us about 4 to 5 hours to do. Hardest part of the job was to undo the bayonet connection for the loom as we were doing the job on ramps. Found if I wiggled in from the driver side so my head was under the passenger side with my legs under the driver's side was able to get my hand up to undo.

Anyways we managed to undo it all where we found to my amusement no o ring on the inside of the speed sensor. We replaced the o ring and now no leak. Must admit there was a real sense of acheivement once we had finished it.:ehigh5:

Anyways thanks to all who offered help.

Regards.