transmission fluid

[Qsilver]

Hi there everyone. I'd like to start by thanking everyone for their posts over the years. This has been a invaluable resource to me, and has saved countless hours of research. I have a concern, I've just travelled from Vancouver to Calgary in my 95 L400 and I seem to be burning transmission fluid. This is new to the van. I'm quite loaded with camping gear and kayaks. It seems to be running well otherswise, with no transmission problems aside from the fluid consumption. I haven't noticed any leaks, certainly no puddles under the van. Should i be worried? What should i check for? Thank you for your help.

[jessef]

There are only a few possibilities.

An external leak, rear main seal leaking into transfer case or leaking into the radiator.

There is no other place fo the ATF to hide.

Does it smell like burnt oil/metal?

Check your coolant. Is it milky or clear/green.

[Feds]

Pardon me if some of this comes down as obvious. I have no idea how good of a mechanic you are.

1: How are you checking for leaks? If it is only leaking while running, something under the van (i.e., the chassis) will be slick with tranny fluid.

2: What colour is the fluid? pinkish red, or brown and burnt smelling.

3: Are you following the same procedure every time: van warm, running, and parked on a flat spot, move the shifter from park down to 1, then back to park. Get out (van still running), check fluid level. This tripped me up when I changed my fluid.

4: Check the coolant. I'm not 100% sure that the rad has a trans cooler in it, but if it's leaking, the fluid could be getting into the coolant.

[Qsilver]

Thanks for the imput. i was out of internet service area, just got back into Calgary. To answer the questions, not much of a mechanic and not easily offended so feel free to asume the worst. Theres no burning smell. coolant seems clear. there's no puddles over night i've left the van running and look underneath nothing that i could see. when i've been checking the engine is hot usually check at fuel stops along hwy. this mourning I checked while still cold it registared low in the cold range and check again once warmed up registared low in the hot range. I shifted in and out of D and R a few times then check levels while in neutral engine running. I added approx. 500ml in Kamloops and the same again in Calgary today. Now that I'm in the city i'll have a proper look underneath. thanks again for the imput any and all suggestions welcome.

[TardisDeli]

Only test the level when warm, the cold level is often inaccurate. With warm engine, now Drive a few blocks, shifting often through ALL the gears, park in NEUTRAL with handbrake on, dip stick end touch to a white plastic anything (lid of yogurt container) see if fluid looks clear pink (like a concentrated Koolaid) or brownish with particles. Clean off dipstick, and recheck the level. Never top up from a cold temp reading.

Best of Luck. Christine.

[Qsilver]

Hi there, I had a chance to give a better inspection today. There are no apparent leaks. I tested while engine running in gear. There is oil down down there, but it looks to be engine oil. There is some staining at the top off the transfer case under the stick shift. The transmission fluid level has stayed up since yesterdays refill, with a modest amount of driving. I'm continuing on east today and monitor the situation. Thanks again for the input.