2007 Corolla, trans fluid leak

[Rolla07]

Hi all, hoping I can get some help on this. Ive changed my transmission fluid before so I should know..but after doing it yesterday i notice its leaking around the drain plug. I may have overtightened it and was thinking i might have put the crush washer on backwards...is that possible or does it matter? I do recall that it kept turning without getting tighter so not sure what happened and now it seems to not be coming off..i tried removing the bolt to no avail..im sure i didnt cross thread it as i put the bolt back on by hand. Worst case I will bring to the dealer to have them check it out but was wondering if anyone has any ideas on why this might of happened? Is there a certain side i need to have the crush washer face? Thanks in advance!

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: Rolla07
it kept turning without getting tighter

The bolt is small and is prone to stripping. Get a new one (and washer) from the dealer. Then be a LOT gentler when tightening the new one.

Like battery posts, the transmission drain bolt takes surprisingly little force to secure.

 

[justalubetech]

Sounds like a situation of overtightening to me ... some small shops may re-thread it for you, but most likely a dealer is going to want to replace the whole pan (probably about ~20 minutes of labor on that car)

 

[Rolla07]

Ok so sure enough i just removed it and bolt looks stripped...anyway to save it? Wonder if Canadian Tire has a bolt for it..(happens to be a block away..) im now debating replacing the filter with a kit from CT. Clean off the magnets at same time..

 

[CT8]

Originally Posted By: jsfalls
Sounds like a situation of overtightening to me ... some small shops may re-thread it for you, but most likely a dealer is going to want to replace the whole pan (probably about ~20 minutes of labor on that car)
an hour.

 

[Oro_O]

You can re-thread the pan with the proper tap, correct the bolt with the proper die. If you want to invest in the tools, that is. You'd have to buy them individually (ace hardware may have them)/ or a kit at a hardware store/Harbor Freight, etc. Since you'll stick shavings into the pan re-tapping the hole, it would be good to take the pan off to do this and clean it out before re-installing w/a new gasket.

Get a new washer at NAPA, they will be able to look up the correct one for your car, or take in the drain bolt and tell them it's the transmission.

Do not drive it low on transmission fluid; you can ruin a transmission with surprisingly little fluid loss.

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: Rolla07
Ok so sure enough i just removed it and bolt looks stripped...anyway to save it?

No. Just do it right and get a new bolt at the dealer. It's an odd shape and size, something Canadian Tire is unlikely to have.

Also, keep in mind that Toyota deliberately designed the bolt to strip before the pan. A generic Canadian Tire bolt may be harder than the correct bolt, which would cause the pan to strip next time you overtighten the bolt. Do you want that to happen?

 

[Rolla07]

Originally Posted By: Tegger
Originally Posted By: Rolla07
Ok so sure enough i just removed it and bolt looks stripped...anyway to save it?

No. Just do it right and get a new bolt at the dealer. It's an odd shape and size, something Canadian Tire is unlikely to have.

Also, keep in mind that Toyota deliberately designed the bolt to strip before the pan. A generic Canadian Tire bolt may be harder than the correct bolt, which would cause the pan to strip next time you overtighten the bolt. Do you want that to happen?


I should of been more clear, sorry! I meant as a temporary way to slow/stop the leak til I get the bolt from the dealer. I ended up wrapping teflon tape around the top of the bolt and it seems to have stopped most of the leak til i get to the dealer on monday. Thanks Tegger!