Transmission Leaks: What Causes Them and How To Fix Them

If your car is leaking transmission fluid, it can cost you a lot of time, money and heartache.We rely on our cars every day to get us where we need to be. This, of course, includes everything from the long commute to work to simply running errands around town. That’s why you want to make sure that your car is running properly. No one has time for a leaky transmission. If your car is leaking transmission fluid, it can cost you a lot of time, money and heartache.

Causes of Transmission Fluid Leaks

One of the main causes of transmission leaks is a cracked pan gasket. When there is some kind of fray in the gasket, you’ll need to replace it, as the fluid inside will continue to seep out. This cause is easy to fix. All you’ll need to do is purchase a new gasket (which is relatively inexpensive). Also, make sure the bolts in the pan are tightened enough. If they’re not, this could result in a leak. Many times the pan isn’t secured properly after a transmission fluid change, causing a transmission leak to occur. All you’ll need to do here is tighten the bolts up, which is simple. But if this issue is not addressed right away it could cause a lot of damage.

Another reason why transmissions often leak is that there’s an issue with the vehicle’s torque converter. In fact, within the torque converter, there is a hydraulic pump that produces pressure in the transmission. This pressure then transmits fluid all around the system. If there is a crack in the converter’s body or a problem with the needle bearings, the transmission will leak. It’s usually hard to pinpoint a transmission leak to the torque converter and once it’s figured out, it’s very expensive to fix as it will need to be completely replaced.

No Leak Transmission Stop Leak stops transmission leaks before they start. Preventing Transmission Leaks

While you can learn how to fix a transmission leak, it is also important to know how to stop transmission fluid leaks before they start. A few pointers to get you started:

1. It’s important to check your transmission fluid level at every oil change.

2. Pay close attention to your transmission fluids color. New fluid is bright red and translucent in color. If the fluid is more opaque or turning burnt brown or black, it’s time for a change.

3. A common but sometimes overlooked cause of leaking transmission fluid is the constant wear on rubber seals. Once that seal gives way in your transmission, the fluid will start leaking out.

The easiest way to prevent these types of leaks from occurring is investing in No Leak® Transmission Stop Leak. With No Leak Transmission Stop Leak, the seals are conditioned properly so that leaks are stopped before they become an issue.

Of course, when your transmission starts leaking, you’ll want to think of a quick way to fix a transmission leak. However – the best way to repair a transmission leak is to stop transmission leaks from happening in the first place.

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13 Comments
  • MECHANIC SAID REPAIRS TO STOP LEAK IS 1800 DOLLARS , ANY CHEAP SUGGESSTIONS

    • Hello, since we are not able to assess your car in-person, we would suggest perhaps getting a second opinion from a trusted professional mechanic.

  • transmission fluid running from crossmember under transmission when parked on grade and only when engine stopped

  • Hello, I need help with my car ? It doesn’t run because it leaks transmission oil n I think it is the transmission pan ? How could I fix that problem so it could run again?

    • Hi Angelica, it is very difficult to assess and diagnose these type of problems without a proper inspection. However, we recommend trying NO LEAK Engine Oil Stop Leak to see if this helps. If the leak continues or gets worse, perhaps the next step is to consult a professional mechanic.

  • I might have a bad seal or something on my transmission as the last time I looked under my car, it looked a bit where near the bottom of it. Now as you said, it would be a good idea to make sure that all of the bolts on the pan are tight as if they aren’t, then that could cause a leak. Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a shop take a look at it since they would have a better understanding of how everything works.

    • Greetings, my transmission reservoir is completely empyy..
      All of the fluid leaked out and on the driveway. Is it the gasket or something else?

  • Deformities in the transmission could influence the performance of the vehicle in a very adverse way. So, signs which indicate that the transmission has some deformities should not be ignored. Deficient of the transmission fluid could also affect the performance of the transmission in a very adverse way. So, causes of transmission leakage should be spotted and repaired immediately. Besides, the transmission is an expensive component which needs special attention to work efficiently without any major mechanical deformities.

  • I have a 1967 CJ5 Jeep with standard transmission. Can I use Your Gold Eagle NO LEAK transmission fluid in that engine?

    • Hi, Paul. Yes, it is OK to use with your Jeep!

  • I HAVE TRIED ALL THE ABOVE,ESPECIALLY REPLACING THE SEAL RUBBERS AND THE GASKET BUT ALL HAS BEEN IN VAIN, IS THERE ANOTHER WAY I CAN STOP THE LEAKAGE?

  • my truck sits for a day then the next day transmission fluid leaks out if it driven everyday it don’t leak what would be the problem

  • I really appreciate you listing how transmission fluid that isn’t color red is a sign of needing a change. The other day I parked my car on a very brightly colored parking lot and got a lot of bystanders pointing at the base of my car only to see very brown-ish liquid below and this caused quite a lot of concern. Considering I’ve been having the car jolt back and forth as well lately, this may be enough sign to get a transmission check at any Auto Service stores I can find.