Flushed/refilled the trans fluid in the family 2008 4runner using 46runner's excellent writeup, and developed an odd trans fluid leak in the process. First, some history as it is relevant.
About two years ago I paid a local shop to install a B&M stacked plate cooler I purchased as I didn't have time to do it myself. They mounted the cooler to the AC condenser, bypassed the radiator completely and simply extended the lines to reach the new cooler. No leaks, no issues, no complaints.
Figuring I was the smartest guy in the room, I thought I'd use the cooler line as the source for capturing the fluid as it pumped out. The yahoos at the local shop plumbed the cooler different than I expected and the first few seconds had trans fluid spewing all over the condenser and radiator instead of into the catch can I had in place.
No problem, moved the catch hose to the cooler's other fitting and began the process of swapping the fluid. Had a big mess to clean up (even just 15-20 seconds can result in a lot of fluid all over the truck and the floor), but everything after that was pretty routine.
After all was said and done, I checked for leaks and found none, but everything below the cooler was wet with fluid so it was hard to be sure. Wife drove the 4runner for a few days and developed a consistent puddle under the front of the truck. Seemed to be coming off the bottom edge of the condenser.
Thinking the plate cooler may have failed, I removed it entirely and went back to stock, connecting the factory cooler lines into the stock radiator. Took it for a short drive (engine/trans was warm not cold, but the drive was only 10 minutes or so). Checked for leaks, and finding none, I declared victory.
Came out to the garage this AM to find a puddle under the condenser again. Not huge, but certainly didn't expect it. Checked both trans lines and found no leaks, but the bottom of the condenser is wet with trans fluid. Confirmed it wasn't coolant, it is fresh WS fluid....but I can't tell where it is coming from.
It can't/shouldn't be a leak from the radiator, as the radiator wasn't plumbed for the initial set. It obviously isn't a leak from the aux cooler as that has now been removed. I'm completely puzzled. No leaks anywhere else - not at the trans check, drain, fill plugs or at the hard fitting connections.
Any ideas? I'd hate to have to take it to a shop, only to watch them replace the radiator. I'd hate to replace the radiator and still have the problem.
Thanks in advance for the advice!
About two years ago I paid a local shop to install a B&M stacked plate cooler I purchased as I didn't have time to do it myself. They mounted the cooler to the AC condenser, bypassed the radiator completely and simply extended the lines to reach the new cooler. No leaks, no issues, no complaints.
Figuring I was the smartest guy in the room, I thought I'd use the cooler line as the source for capturing the fluid as it pumped out. The yahoos at the local shop plumbed the cooler different than I expected and the first few seconds had trans fluid spewing all over the condenser and radiator instead of into the catch can I had in place.
No problem, moved the catch hose to the cooler's other fitting and began the process of swapping the fluid. Had a big mess to clean up (even just 15-20 seconds can result in a lot of fluid all over the truck and the floor), but everything after that was pretty routine.
After all was said and done, I checked for leaks and found none, but everything below the cooler was wet with fluid so it was hard to be sure. Wife drove the 4runner for a few days and developed a consistent puddle under the front of the truck. Seemed to be coming off the bottom edge of the condenser.
Thinking the plate cooler may have failed, I removed it entirely and went back to stock, connecting the factory cooler lines into the stock radiator. Took it for a short drive (engine/trans was warm not cold, but the drive was only 10 minutes or so). Checked for leaks, and finding none, I declared victory.
Came out to the garage this AM to find a puddle under the condenser again. Not huge, but certainly didn't expect it. Checked both trans lines and found no leaks, but the bottom of the condenser is wet with trans fluid. Confirmed it wasn't coolant, it is fresh WS fluid....but I can't tell where it is coming from.
It can't/shouldn't be a leak from the radiator, as the radiator wasn't plumbed for the initial set. It obviously isn't a leak from the aux cooler as that has now been removed. I'm completely puzzled. No leaks anywhere else - not at the trans check, drain, fill plugs or at the hard fitting connections.
Any ideas? I'd hate to have to take it to a shop, only to watch them replace the radiator. I'd hate to replace the radiator and still have the problem.
Thanks in advance for the advice!
