Smelling ATF - Land Rovers Only

hank222212 · 11-04-2009, 11:15 AM

Ok, here is my situation. A couple of months ago a changed my transmission fluid and drove it around a little bit and everything seemed fine. Well, that night I drove my car about 45 mins away from my house and when I got out the tranny fluid was rapidly leaking out of my fill plug. I ended up tightening it up more more than I should have and really boogered up the washer in the process. Leaked stopped.

Over the course of the next couple of months I would smell the tranny fluid but never noticed any leaks. I assumed it was leaking slightly out of the fill plug since I butchered the washer. However I never saw any trace of leaks on the ground or when I inspected the transmission under my car. Over time shifting got worse so I thought I would get a new washer and fill the transmission fluid back up.

Got a new washer (and fill plug just in case I somehow damaged it in the process of overtightening it) and changed the transmission fluid. But I still smell ATF, but see no signs of leaking. I have only driven it about 3 times so I thought it could be some that spilled on the truck and is maybe burning off? But I don't see any trace of ATF on it. Does anyone have any suggestions?

DeadHead86 · 11-04-2009, 11:20 AM

How much did you add when you refilled it? Are you sure you didnt over fill it? If so, you will have run off, esp. when you get it nice and warmed up.

DeadHead86 · 11-04-2009, 11:22 AM

Also, when you say you "changed" the fluid, how much did you change? What did the old fluid look like when you changed it?

jcat · 11-04-2009, 12:57 PM

i'm not familiar with the underside of these trucks just yet, but i do know the exhaust routes eventually to the driver's side. is it a possibility that you're getting runoff as stated above and it's hitting the exhaust?

or, serious question, did you get the fluid on your carpets or steering wheel or seats or anywhere that would release the smell to you while driving?

and, are you sure it's not steering fluid?

hank222212 · 11-04-2009, 01:14 PM

Where is the runoff?

I don't think I overfilled it, but I guess it is possible. It took about 5 1/2 quarts. Old fluid looked redish brown.

No, none on the interior. I only smell it when I get out of the truck after driving. Definitely ATF smell.

jcat · 11-04-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hank222212

Where is the runoff?

I don't think I overfilled it, but I guess it is possible. It took about 5 1/2 quarts. Old fluid looked redish brown.

No, none on the interior. I only smell it when I get out of the truck after driving. Definitely ATF smell.

smelling fluid or burnt fluid? if you're smelling burnt fluid it's almost certainly leaking on the exhaust. PS fluid is also very similar to ATF, and could be leaking in the engine compartment somewhere causing the smell too.

DeadHead86 · 11-04-2009, 02:04 PM

Its probably ATF hitting the exhaust some where. Did it start happening long enough ago that it should have burned off by now?

Last time I replaced part of my ATF fluid, I over filled a bit and had it over flowing on to the exhaust. You shouldnt experience the burning smell for very long, unless you really over filled and its constantly spilling over onto the exhaust.