Leaking transaxle oil from both sides of case. Seal issue?

No, RTV sealant is used on the seams.

 

Requires transmission removal and major disassembly of a very very heavy
Trans.
Try tightening it up the bolts first. I don’t know your skill level but we see a lot of snapped off bolts on this site. Those are high torque bolts would require a torque wrench and skill with that. If you’d snap off the bolt it’s done.

In the meantime check the fluid level. Don’t run the trans dry while chasing it.

No one ever posts the cars mileage on this site.

 

Mileage is at 252K miles. Those bolts look rusted. Don't think I want to touch those.


Feel more comfortable just topping off the fluid but this thing doesn't even have a way to check the fluid level. Am guessing I have to open the fill line and guess the fill amount?

 

With the car level (and raised, presumably), add fluid till it starts coming back out. That gets the level correct: spec'd range is level with the fill hole to 5 mm lower.

Attached are Repair Manual excerpts, small one with just the level check, and the full transaxle section with the torque values for those bolts along the seams, and maybe instruction for form-in-place gasket.

 

That would be great. Thanks

 

Ok both excerpts posted now.

Even if you don't take it on yourself, the info would be handy for an independent garage.

 

I do not know...take a wire brush to those bolt heads see how bad they are. Those are big tough bolts.

You have not responded to my wrench credentials question so not sure whats to be recommended except use the correct socket and try to tighten it a little. Those bolts are highly torqued like 75-95 lbs so you wont hurt them with a 3/8 ratchet.

If you can tighten them with a 3/8 wrench take the car to a mechanic and have him torque the bolts to there proper spec.

Whats with the smushed over red fpig gasket maker? Is that you smushing it around or has the trans been taken apart? We don't see trans overhauls much here if its blown you can get a used one pretty cheap but the labor will hurt you.

 

Yes I have a 1/2 inch torque wrench and can torque them to spec. Just worried about the rusted bolt as this car spent 7 years in the rust belt.

Regarding the red smushed sealer thing, that's the way it's always been. I assumed that's how it's suppose to be. I am the second owner and never messed with the transmission and from Toyota records the original owner never did either. Maybe something struck or rubbed the bottom of the tranny to cause that. I won't replace the trans, will just keep topping off until the car quits.

 

Has the car had any front corner accidents? If a wheel was hit maybe a seal where the shaft goes in was compromised.

Clean everything then monitor, see where the leak first appears.

(My issue, in post #12, turned out to be drive shaft seal, and the car had been hit (wheel pushed in a bit) at that corner, a few years previously.)

 

Good so you have a T wrench. Wire brush those bolt heads then hose it all off with carb cleaner and see if 50 lbs will tighten those bolts. I’ll see if I can find the torque value for those bolts but it’s way past 50 lbs.see if they move at 50 lbs that will be good news as they are just loose.

The fipg job on my 07 looks perfect compared to yours so that big smushed part is weird.

The fill hole is high up on the front of the trans. That bolt is on really really tight and for me required an extended breaker bar to get off.
I remember it made a really loud crack when it came loose.

 

@edthefox5 one of the attachements I posted in #24 looks to have all the torque values. Just skimming that attachment, your mention of 50 foot/pounds seems high, not sure what bolts that would be. One screen grab from the attachment:



Again, maybe just clean everything off first, and try to figure out where the leak starts from, case seams vs drive shaft seals.

 

Thanks very surprising its only 18 lbs. Odd a bolt that size is only that much. The fill hole bolt was at least 75 lbs had to use a 2 foot extension to get it off.
3/8 ratchet should be ok there. There probably just loose.

 

There's mention of a lock-tite style product on the threads. Transaxle drain and fill bolts always take a lot of oomph to brake loose, even though they're only 29 ft/lb. Think it's just the nature of them, larger diameter, lot of heating/cooling.