Uh Oh, Fluid Leaking

[FLUXEMAG]

Well my car turns 1 on Monday, and I just found a few bad things while getting ready to change my oil.

First, two weeks ago I had to top off my oil with half a quart. Second, today I had to do the same. Third, there's a big mess under the automatic transmission that look like oil, but could be ATF.

The filter area is clean, the filter is on tight. The oil pan and drain plug are clean, not a hint of oil. But under the driver's side there is clearly a problemo.

So anyways, I put my TRD muffler on a month ago, are they going to cop out on me with the warranty because of that? I can put the old one back in 30 min if necessary. More than likely it was just my aggressive driving.

[FLUXEMAG]

The verdict is in, a bad gasket on the transmission fluid pan. However when they called I had to tell them to find an explanation for losing half a quart of Mobil1 every other week. I don't think engine oil consumption is that quick.

[Fratsgotasolara]

well the general specification for any engine is a qt every 1k miles

[PXLpainter]

I have run Mobil 1 in every Toyota I've owned for past 10 years and I have NEVER consumed even 1/2 qt in 3-5K miles... and I always drive the CRAP outta my rides!

Somethin' ain't right with your car dood!

[MCOjerry]

I thought a car wasn't supposed to burn a lot of oil unless there was a major problem, or it was REALLY old??

[FLUXEMAG]

Update,

The engine oil was 2 quarts low when they inspected it, but couldn't find any leaks or signs of burning oil. They did ask me "Oh that's a nice muffler, where'd you get it? Did you have the dealer install it?" Of course I said yes.

So they topped it off with more oil and asked me to bring it back next monday. They had replaced the transmission gasket for the ATF leak, but didn't road test it. So I drove back to work after picking my car up. By 5 oclock I came down and there was a huge puddle of ATF under my car, looked like all of it. They had it towed back to them at 6pm. So today they said the new gasket split somehow and their replacing it again.

But the good news is they're flashing my ecm for the throttle lag, because the last dealer lied and just washed the car and said they did the TSB.

[PXLpainter]

Holy Fricken Crap!!!

Sounds like something is dreadfully wrong for you to be 2 quarts low! (unless it's been like a year since your last oil change and you never checked it - but even then!) - and for them to screw up your ATF gasket installing it - sounds like that old Aamco commercial with the chimps and plastic bats beating the tranny!

Good luck!!

[FLUXEMAG]

I've changed the oil with Mobil 1 four times since I bought it last year with no issue. I think they should check the radiator for oil leaked into the cooling system.

[FLUXEMAG]

I got my car back with the third transmission pan gasket installed. There were a few drops of ATF on my driveway by morning, but I suspect it's from the big explosion on gasket #2 which I think the installer f'd up on. A few days later there haven't been any more drips, and I put some cardboard down just in case to bring evidence.

So I have to bring it back on next Monday for them to check the engine oil level, I think it would need more time than that. If all is well in a month with the engine oil my proposal for them is to push out my warranty to something like 50k miles for the transmission and engine. With fluid low on the transmission, it probably did some degree of physical mechanical damage that may not be an issue for a while. I came up with that number by adding the origianl 30k warranty to my current mileage. what do you guys think?

I now have the TSB for lag flashed on too. Can't really tell the difference.

[FLUXEMAG]

They would definitely agree to 50k warranty on the tranny since it already comes with a 60k warranty. Oops.

[FLUXEMAG]

Since they put in the third pan gasket for the transmission, the leak started again. This time when I brought it back they said it was left overs from the big explosion. So they washed the car and gave it back. A week later it was still dripping every day, never stopped since the third gasket. This time I was pissed and called Toyota Corporate to let them know about it.

I brought it back for the fourth time for this leak today. The lemon law in AZ gives the manufacturer 4 attampts to bring it back into spec under 24000 miles. So attempt #4 they tightened three bolts on the pan they claimed were loose. Fair enough, it's your last shot though...

Transmission still slips once a day about. They drove it 50 miles and couldn't replicate it. It's not something subtle so they must not have had it happen to them. The regional quality person is going to ride with me in a week, so I have to figure out how to do it on command, instead of just getting pissed off when it happens right after I leave the lot. I understand intermittent problems are hard to solve, I'm not pissed about this one, just frustrated. But it doesn't matter anyways if it leaks again in the next 5000 miles because I'll have a brand new 06. Anyways, 4.5 hours of my time so far dealing with the leak, and driving a two tone rav4 to work.

[FLUXEMAG]

Well it's been about 8 months since the last post. It started leaking again somewhere in that time. Toyota just put in a new transmission yesterday. Yay...I wonder what my carfax looks like (wah wah wahhh)

[onefiend]

That's a crazy situation you're in. That sucks. They should have replaced the transmission originally IMO. And which dealership lied to you about the TSB? It would be nice to know which dealers can't be trusted.
Goodluck man.

[**PoshPepper**]

Damn... that sucks... at least Toyota replaced the tranny hopefully this one will be better than the first... My advice would be to switch dealers if you can (or havent already)...

Good luck with the car!

[FLUXEMAG]

amen to that. Nice shot of your rims glistening by the way.