Transmission Fluid Leak

[rgmjr321]

Hello All,

I'm a recently new 3rd gen T4R owner- 1997 SR5 2WD 3.4L ($6500 with 150K in 10/2006, FYI)

Anyhow, I've had it for 3 months and shortly after purchasing I noticed a transmission fluid puddle under the middle of the T4R.

Crawling under there and I think I see exactly where it is coming from. At the end of the transmission, near the driveshaft, on the driver's side - there are two "plugs" - each held in place with a 12mm bolt. The lower one I believe to be the speed sensor and the uppr one appears to be just a dummy plug - and trickling out of the dummy plug is some pretty red transmission fluid - which of course leaks onto the speed sensor and the dampening mount, etc - but I'm pretty sure that is the source.

Questions:

Transmission Fluid Level continues to be fine - even though in 2 months the leak puddle has gotten somewhat sizeable. I would think the dummy plug (as I am calling it) would leak only if the tranny is overfilled, but the leak continues. both 12mm bolts were plenty tight (speed sensor and plug)

Is this dummy plug a hard or soft rubber? Is is supposed to provide a good seal? I have the haynes manual where it seems to be called a hydraulic test port but am having a hard time finding additional information - including on this forum.

If it is a replaceable part what the heck is it called? Can't find it on any online part sources

Any input is greatly appreciated. I can upload a picture if it would help.

TIA,

Rick

BTW, can anybody recommend a good online part source? Something with exploded diagrams would be great. I know a honda one, but not Toyota.

 

[j.w]

I'm having the exact same leak happening on my '99 4runner SR5 2WD. I'm attaching a pic of what mine looks like, and I assume the two bolts that I pointed out are the same ones you are referring to. Are you still having this problem, or have you discovered the answer yet?

I've also had a hard time tracking down what these bolts are holding in place, and my Haynes manual doesn't show a good diagram of this area of the transmission. So I was left with more questions than answers. Anyway, I did end up finding some transmission diagrams on alldatadiy.com for the 2WD 4runner, and it appears that these two bolts are holding two separate vehicle speed sensors in place.

So, that's all I know at this point. I don't know what the correct course of action is, whether the next step is to replace a seal on the top speed sensor or what. I haven't gotten a chance to try taking things apart yet. I'll let you know when I get to that point.

 

[rgmjr321]

Amazingly, I finally addressed this problem today. I had also posted this question on yotatech and it appears that you and I are the only ones who have ever had this problem - or at maybe nobody talks to us newbies.

Here's the link to my yotatech thread, which has similar pictures and arrows to yours:

http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=103729

Anyhow, in my case it appeared that the top "plug" was the problem, so I removed it and saw that it has an O-ring.

well, of course, you can't seem to buy the right size of these things so I won a similar auction on ebay for 400+ O-rings (I paid $12 total including shipping)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230085190040

of course, like a fool I ordered SAE instead of MEtric so the closest O-ring was 3/4ID with 3/32" section diameter.

yada yada yada I put on a new o-ring which is probably a little small and added a quart of Dexron III because I did end up losing a bit and so far so good (12-hours worth, anyhow)

thanks for the input. Let me know if I can provide any more info.

Rick

 

[rgmjr321]

J.W.,

By the way, did you pay for an alldata subscription? I assume you find it worthwhile?

 

[j.w]

rgmjr321, that plug that you removed - is it just a plug? I mean, was it holding anything in place, or was it just plugging the hole? I'm wondering because the diagram I saw on alldata showed a speed sensor going into that hole, but your picture looks like it's just a dumb plug.

If that's the case, I wonder if on some models of Toyota vehicles there is some purpose for that hole in the transmission (like for another speed sensor or something). I don't know, just thinking as I type.

As far as alldata, I just recently purchased a subscription for my 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer and for my 1999 4runner SR5. I was hoping to get some diagrams and info on the sunroof for my Lancer, but they didn't have any real sunroof info on their site for that car. They do seem to have some good transmission breakdowns for the 4runner though, but that's all I've really had a chance to look at so far for the 4runner. To be honest, their information is not laid out very well, and whether they have what you're looking for appears to be luck of the draw. If there is some specific information you want to know if they have for your 4runner, I could take a look and let you know if it might be worth your while.

Oh yeah, I did run across torque specs on alldata for the different bolts on the transmission, including the two "speed sensor" bolts. So, that's at least somewhat useful.

 

[rgmjr321]

yes, on mine (and it looks the same on yours) it is just a dummy plug. I think I also have stumbled on a diagram somewhere that shows two speed sensors but that definitely is not the case for mine.

the hollow portion of the plug itself was full of tranny fluid. I expect that if my fluid level was correct at the time that I would have had some fluid spillage as well.

I didn't bother removing the speed sensor this time around. It was a bit tricky pulling out the dummy plug because the wire wrap in the area (that goes to some air sensor in the exhaust) is very snug over the plug.

HTH

Rick

 

[j.w]

Yes, that has been helpful. Imagine my surprise when looking all over the internet for some help on my transmission leak and getting nowhere, then I run across someone with the exact same symptoms. I was like, whoah, that's exactly what my 4runner is doing!

Anyways, it's nice to know what I'm getting myself into before getting started. I'll post back here when I get a chance to replace my O-ring. I think I'm going to change out the tranny fluid and filter also while I have the 4runner up on my friend's car lift. Never done that before either, so it should be an experience.

 

[j.w]

Just an update... I went to my local Toyota dealer yesterday to try to get this O-ring. They had to special order it for about $4 - kind of a rip-off for an O-ring, but I am at least comforted by the fact that I should have the correct O-ring in hand before starting the repair job. I also got a printout of an exploded parts view for the transmission extension housing. This is definitely more accurate than any of the diagrams I have found on sites such as alldata.com and autozone.com. Thought this might be useful for some other folks as well, so here it is.

 

[j.w]

So, I finished the transmission repair a few weeks ago now. I replaced the o-ring on the plug and the one on the speed sensor just to be on the safe side. So far, so good.

 

[JARVAS36]

What tranny do you guys have? I think Imight havr the same problem. My oil level is down by half a quart max so far.

 

[j.w]

Our transmission is 2wd automatic. I believe it's the A340E, if that's what you mean.

 

[rgmjr321]

I'm back

Hey JW -

Well, my leak is back and I'm guessing it is the "not quite perfect match" o-ring I used, so I'm going to the dealer for the real deal. Was the O-ring for the speed sensor the same size? (since it is not on the exploded diagram)

Thanks in advance,

Rick

 

[j.w]

rgmjr321, the short answer is that I don't remember for sure if the O-rings were the same size. The long answer is this:

I wasn't originally planning to replace the O-ring on the speed sensor. I went over to a friend's place who has a car lift, and he helped me with my tranny project. He had a set of O-rings in his shop, and he talked me into replacing the speed sensor's O-ring, even though he didn't have the correct size one on hand. So, I'm ashamed to say that we just picked a similar one and put it on. So, I guess now I'll just be crossing my fingers hoping I don't get a leak starting at the speed sensor.

I'm sure though that the Toyota parts dealer will have no problems pulling up the correct part for you.

 

[974Runner85]

Hi there guys I'm new in this thread. I've owned a 97 4Runner for 9yrs. I just ran to this leaking problem last week. I bought the two O rings at Toyota dealership. I payed around $8 for both. Easy swap.
I replaced the dummy seal and the seal on the sensor too, which is the one that is beside the dummy plug.

 

[apb2148]

What is the torque spec on the dummy bolt?

 

[zak3033]

Any updates?

I'm glad you guys started this thread because mine has recently started leaking in the same area. I was just curious for those who have replaced the O-rings if that has solved the issue? Thanks.

 

[apb2148]

I replaced mine recently and it seems to have done the job. Just be easy getting the plastic plug out


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[zak3033]

I replaced mine recently and it seems to have done the job. Just be easy getting the plastic plug out


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the tip. I just ordered the o-rings from Toyota so hopefully I have the same results.

 

[mrsharky]

More Transmission Leaks

So my 96 has a bit of a leak from the transmission too - appears to be coming out of this fitting on the passenger side -

Anyone had experience with this? Looking for a diagram that shows me the parts view on it....

Matt

 

[mrsharky]

So my 96 has a bit of a leak from the transmission too - appears to be coming out of this fitting on the passenger side -

Anyone had experience with this? Looking for a diagram that shows me the parts view on it....

Matt

Hmm.... photo link not working... how about as an attachment?