Transmission side housing leak = rebuild time?

N

nthach

Joined
Jan 2, 2004
Messages
10,793
Location
California
I replaced the transmission pan gasket and filter over the weekend to solve a leak. In the process of buttoning things up, I also found a leak on the side of the transmission. Not the best pic:

A4F3AB9A-DD26-4694-9EDE-94403EA0AD1C.jpeg


It appears the RTV seal between the trans case and the side cover that also serves as the mounting bracket is leaking. The trans is a Toyota U151E, used in many of their Camry-platform products. I watched a YouTube video of someone tearing one down to rebuild it - the side cover has three sealing rings, a bearing and a clutch drum - go to 3:30 in this video:



So, I have a feeling in order to properly repair this leak, the drivetrain will need to be dropped and the transmission will need to be at the least overhauled with a soft parts kit less clutches/steels/pistons and ideally rebuilt with new clutches, pistons and a welded planetary. Should I even attempt to take the side case off in the car, exercise all precautions to avoid dirt getting into the open case and just reseal it?
 
I don't really seek the leak in the photo. Not unusual for middle age cars to seep fluid which shows up as wet dirty spots on the transmission case (or areas around it), but doesn't really leak. Is it just seeping or actually drip, drip leaking? Vehicle / mileage / age?

When it starts dripping and making a mess is the only time I'd consider an overhaul, unless I had a prized driveway or showroom garage floor, which I don't.
 
PimTac said:
How old is the car and how much is it leaking?
Click to expand...
It’s a 2005. The leak at this point is more seepage at this point. I’m planning on checking the ATF every two weeks - my parents use this as their around town car and I use it for longer trips.
 
I've got an '06 Camry with a U151E
I'll take a picture of mine for comparisons sake
Is it a noticable fluid loss?
Is it leaving stains?

What's the mileage?

LE/XLE with the 3.0, or the SE with the 3.3?
 
may just need the cover bolts torqued.
have no idea what that would be but I'm thinking 18 ft/lbs.
Also you're not seeing all the gear this rebuild guy needs to drop a 145lb transaxle.
Or the mess it can make on the garage floor. lol.
 
nthach said:
It’s a 2005. The leak at this point is more seepage at this point. I’m planning on checking the ATF every two weeks - my parents use this as their around town car and I use it for longer trips.
Click to expand...
It's a 17 year old car. If it's not leaking it's empty. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
 
nthach said:
I replaced the transmission pan gasket and filter over the weekend to solve a leak. In the process of buttoning things up, I also found a leak on the side of the transmission. Not the best pic:

View attachment 93655

It appears the RTV seal between the trans case and the side cover that also serves as the mounting bracket is leaking. The trans is a Toyota U151E, used in many of their Camry-platform products. I watched a YouTube video of someone tearing one down to rebuild it - the side cover has three sealing rings, a bearing and a clutch drum - go to 3:30 in this video:



So, I have a feeling in order to properly repair this leak, the drivetrain will need to be dropped and the transmission will need to be at the least overhauled with a soft parts kit less clutches/steels/pistons and ideally rebuilt with new clutches, pistons and a welded planetary. Should I even attempt to take the side case off in the car, exercise all precautions to avoid dirt getting into the open case and just reseal it?
Click to expand...

Time for some MaxLife ATF-or maybe some ATP AT-205. The cost to pull it & rebuild it would likely be more than it is worth.
 
nthach said:
It’s a 2005. The leak at this point is more seepage at this point. I’m planning on checking the ATF every two weeks - my parents use this as their around town car and I use it for longer trips.
Click to expand...


I think this would be a better plan than fixing it. You might end up checking the fluid every month or so once you figure the rate of loss.
 
vw7674 said:
may just need the cover bolts torqued.
have no idea what that would be but I'm thinking 18 ft/lbs.
Also you're not seeing all the gear this rebuild guy needs to drop a 145lb transaxle.
Or the mess it can make on the garage floor. lol.
Click to expand...
It’s FWD, so the best, but most intensive way is to put the car on a lift, disconnect all the body harnesses/exhaust l/lines/steering shaft, unbolt the struts, get a table and drop the subframe/powertrain as one.
 
nthach said:
It’s a 2005. The leak at this point is more seepage at this point. I’m planning on checking the ATF every two weeks - my parents use this as their around town car and I use it for longer trips.
Click to expand...
Seepage I consider normal on semi-older cars. In my experience they generally stay that way for years before becoming more troublesome-- once they start actually leaking you get the reward of a free unlimited underbody rust-proof(?) coating, but I suspect that's not very desirable in California :D.

My 96 Maxima has been seeping ATF for the last 100K+ miles, but it's approaching the leak point-- I get a drop or two on the garage floor on random occasions. Basically just coats the bottom of the trans in crud. My driveway/garage stays mostly clean. I'm not worried about it, I've changed every seal on the thing short of the input shaft seal / overhaul type stuff. I won't venture into that until it REALLY annoys me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

lastofthebreed_ws6
LS1 Rear Cover Gasket.. Questions
Replies
4
Views
861
Barkleymut
lastofthebreed_ws6
2002 LS1 and AT 205 Question
Replies
9
Views
999
lastofthebreed_ws6
The Critic
Fail-Pro Gaskets
2 3 4
Replies
62
Views
3K
The motor guy
D
'19 Jeep 2.0T oil leak -- VVT actuator
Replies
4
Views
479
D60
B1974
2013 F150 3.5 Ecoboost valve train pics
Replies
13
Views
2K
JavierH19
Back
Top