Auto trans leak

[Obviously Tyler]

Got my oil changed today. Talked to the technician, he told me that there was a small leak coming from my transmission. It's not dripping to the street but he said that it will eventually. Hopefully it's just a seal or gasket. Taking it to a Chevy dealer next week, I'll keep this updated for reference in case anyone else has a problem.

 

[$ub$onic]

Sounds like a isolated issue. Assembly worker might have pinched a seal

 

[ColonelPanic]

Do keep us updated!

Glad they caught it early before it became a more serious problem. This is why I hate these dipstickless automatics that everyone insists on using these days. You have no easy way of knowing how much fluid is in there if the thing springs a leak. :sadbanana:

 

[Maddmatts]

^Agreed.^ A slow leak got the better of me on a long road-trip in my last car. If the car had been a few years newer, I would've been stuck waiting for a shop to open since it was a weekend. But because it had a dip stick, I was only mildly inconvenienced by filling it back up at a gas station and made it home.

I'll have to see if there's an aftermarket solution to this.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Hey Obviously Tyler

Please send me a DM if you would like for me to document this issue. I will be looking for your updates. Have a great week!

Jackie
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[Obviously Tyler]

Just got back from the Chevy dealer. Apparently it was just seeping and this is "normal". Evidently there's no real problems.

 

[ColonelPanic]

Seeping? Normal???

Where on the transmission are you seeing this leak?

 

[Obviously Tyler]

Seeping? Normal???

Where on the transmission are you seeing this leak?

I didn't see it myself

 

[bandita52]

anyone know how often the trans fluid should be checked. i just had my trans replaced within the last week or so.

 

[ColonelPanic]

anyone know how often the trans fluid should be checked. i just had my trans replaced within the last week or so.

Owner's manual says "it is not necessary to check the transmission fluid level. A transmission fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss."

Provided the dealer filled the unit properly at the time of replacement, I wouldn't think you should have to worry about it for some time. ATF replacement interval is 97,500 miles normal/45,000 miles severe - worry about it once one of those intervals are met IMHO. If it burns up due to low fluid, I would make that the dealer's problem.

Of course the dealer will happily check it for you if you wish to pay them an hour's worth of labor or so.

 

[Obviously Tyler]

I'm taking my car to a different Chevy dealer this coming Monday. I'll keep this updated. If they tell me the same thing the first Chevy dealer told me I'll just drop it.

 

[ChrisJ]

Only place I could fathom being normal for seepage would be a breather tube. But we're talking a light film of oil (ATF) on the hose or something its laying on, not really wet.

Anywhere else shouldn't be normal under any conditions.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Hi Obviously Tyler

We hope your dealer visit goes well. Keep us posted.

Amber N.
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[Obviously Tyler]

Bulletin

Here's what's going to be fixed on my Sonic. I'm taking it back on August 5th to be worked on. I'm going to post pics of the bulletin as well as type out the important stuff in case it can't be read in the pictures. Hope this helps anyone that might also encounter this problem.

Note: The leak is so minor, that the technician recommended that I not even worry about it. But it's covered so I'm going to get it fixed. I'd rather it not leak, because if I let it go and my trans blows because there's low ATF, it's going to be on me to repair it.


Condition/Concern

Some customers may comment on an automatic transmission fluid leak. Upon further investigation, the technician may find fluid leaking from the torque converter housing and torque converter seal.

Recommendation/Instructions

Important: It is recommended that a new torque converter seal be installed any time the transmission is removed from the vehicle for any reason. DO NOT remove the transmission from the vehicle to replace the torque converter seal unless there is a torque converter seal leak or other internal transmission repairs are needed.


If diagnosis determines that the leak is the torque converter seal, the seal should be replaced. A torque converter seal that makes use of a more robust sealing material is now available.

Part number: 24256953 (Seal, T/CV Fluid)

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use Labor Operation K7060.

 

[ColonelPanic]

Now mine is leaking. I was looking underneath mine today and noticed the entire bottom of the transmission was dirty and oily. I ran my finger across it and had picked up some transmission fluid.

Seems to be collecting on the seam of the case that runs front to back. I wiped it off with a paper towel and was able to see a reddish tint to it, so yes it would seem to be ATF. I'll have to look closer to see where it may be originating. Fortunately it is minor, but still absolutely unacceptable for a new car nonetheless.

I sure wish there was a dipstick so I could keep tabs on fluid level.

I'll have to get the dealer to look at this at the same time they try to find where my coolant is going.

 

[Quinton Exler]

I'm leaking too :/ dealer is understanding though and knows that these autos have this issue so mine will be fixed soon! I was afraid it was the metal seal running vertically through our transmission. I'm relieved its only a doughnut seal. (what we call it in KY)

 

[Slaycom]

I also recently learned one of my tech's passed off a transmission leak on a Chevy Sonic Automatic. Don't quote me, "It is normal for the seals to have some excess" or to that degree.

The customer returned today, as the leak has gotten worse over-time. (Been 5 months) I'm not familiar with a transmission leak ever being normal, and I'm sure the technician had a valid point, but it seem's that their are a few lemon trannys out there. (Opinion).

We will be diagnosing the issuie monday, and I'll update as well. As for OP glad you got everything checked and being repaired.

 

[Quinton Exler]

Thanks slaycom, excited to get the seal fixed hopefully. It had a decent wet spot before i wiped it. I'm ocd about it being clean. It was pretty wet but just slightly too little too drip. So def needs fixing gm made an updated seal that fixes this leak luckily.
Sent from my LG-E739 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Obviously Tyler]

Mine still isn't fixed. Sorry I haven't kept up with this post (honestly I forgot about it). I'm just going to wait until February when I turn 21, then I can get a rental. I'm having problems with not being able to be without a car for 3 days, and dealerships not wanting to do warranty work.

 

[ColonelPanic]

Here's what mine looks like.

ATF collects at the seam and on the adjacent bolt.

The entire bottom of the case is greasy and grimy from the leak.

So would this be the torque converter seal failure or another problem? Will have to get it looked at soon.