Main Causes of Transmission Fluid Leak in Your Jeep

Jeeps are adventurous vehicles, renowned for their off-roading capabilities. Much of your Jeep’s impressive capabilities stem from its transmission, which regulates the engine’s power and allows the vehicle to shift gears.

In order to do this properly, the transmission requires adequate levels of transmission fluid. Therefore, if your vehicle’s transmission levels are too low, the engine may cease to work entirely. As such, transmission fluid leaks can have serious negative consequences.

Potential Causes of Transmission Fluid Leaks

Several factors can potentially cause transmission fluid leaks, the most common of which is problems with the transmission pan. The transmission pan lies at the bottom of your Jeep’s engine, which means that it is perpetually close to the road. So, if you frequently go off-roading with your Jeep, any debris that you drive over might dent or crack the transmission pan, causing a transmission fluid leak.

Additionally, a break in the transmission gasket may also cause the transmission pan to leak fluid. The transmission gasket is a thin piece of rubber that seals the connection points between the transmission pan and its housing. The gasket is designed to prevent transmission fluid seepage, but over time, it may corrode and break, allowing the fluid to leak out.

Another possible cause of transmission fluid leaks is a faulty torque connector. The torque connector is a donut-shaped part that uses transmission fluid to transfer power from the engine to the transmission. Over time, the component may crack, corrode, or wear down, which will ultimately result in a transmission fluid leak.

A fourth potential reason that your Jeep might be leaking transmission fluid is that its transmission seals have failed. Because these seals are meant to maintain the pressurization of your vehicle’s transmission fluid, they are constantly exposed to both high pressures and corrosive substances. Occasionally, transmission seals are unable to withstand these intense conditions and spring a leak.

The final cause of transmission fluid leaks is line issues. Your Jeep’s transmission contains several lines that connect it to the radiator, thus allowing its transmission fluid to cool off. If these lines are cut, displaced, or otherwise damaged in any way, your vehicle will likely leak considerable amounts of transmission fluid.

Warning Signs of a Transmission Leak

The first step to fixing a transmission leak is noticing the problem to begin with. Fortunately, there are several symptoms you can watch for to determine if your Jeep is leaking transmission fluid. The most common of these symptoms is the illumination of the transmission light. Your vehicle’s transmission light may turn on in response to a number of problems, including but not limited to transmission fluid leaks. Regardless of the cause, if your Jeep’s transmission light illuminates, you should bring the vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible.

Another common symptom of leaking transmission fluid is grinding gears. If your vehicle’s transmission is not properly lubricated, its gears will grind harshly against each other, producing a loud clunking sound. This may or may not be accompanied by the appearance of dark puddles in your driveway and regular parking spots. If you notice any of these symptoms, either together or separately, you should assume that something is wrong with your Jeep’s transmission and should have a professional check it over.

Professional Automotive Will Help

Identifying a transmission fluid leak is relatively easy, but fixing the leak can be extremely difficult. Your Jeep’s transmission is an important, complex system with lots of moving parts. As such, you should not attempt to fix transmission fluid leaks on your own because doing so might cause further damage to your vehicle or serious injury to you. Instead, if you suspect that your vehicle is leaking transmission fluid, you should contact a trusted mechanic to solve the problem.

If your Jeep’s transmission is leaking fluid, you’ll want the situation handled efficiently and expertly. For over 22 years, our highly-skilled team here at Professional Automotive has provided excellent service to clients in Marlborough, MA. All of our technicians are ASE certified, and our top priority is getting you safely back on the road as quickly as possible. We would love to make you our next satisfied customer, so give us a call today or stop by the shop to discover “the Professional Difference.”