The transmission in your car is second only to the engine in terms of overall importance. And as the engine relies on motor oil for its proper functioning, so the transmission requires a constant supply of fresh transmission fluid. This is the lifeblood of your car's gear system.
The problem is that, over time, as a car ages, it tends to begin leaking transmission fluid. Should all of the fluid be allowed to escape in this way, your transmission will seize up and die--for good. For that reason, it is important to attend to transmission fluid leaks before they reach a critical stage. This article will increase your knowledge of automotive troubleshooting by discussing two places where such leaks tend to occur.
Fluid Lines
Transmission fluid acts both as a lubricant and a coolant for your transmission system. In its capacity as a coolant, it naturally absorbs a good deal of heat, which must then be dissipated. This is accomplished inside of a special cooling chamber. The fluid passes into this chamber by means of special fluid lines.
These fluid lines are generally made out of rubber and fastened at their ends by metal fittings. As time goes on, they have a tendency to develop leaks. This may be the result of the rubber degrading or becoming damaged. It may also be the result of corrosion in the metal fittings. Either way, a professional transmission repair person should inspect these lines for signs of trouble during any routine transmission maintenance.
Transmission Pan
The transmission pan is the holding reservoir for your car's transmission fluid, and is capable of holding around twelve quarts of fluid. In other words, this is where the bulk of your transmission fluid spends the majority of its time. Unfortunately, the transmission pan's position below the gearbox of your automobile puts it at a constant risk of becoming damaged by flying road debris.
Likewise, it is liable to begin corroding as the result of contact with de-icing salts from the roadway. Eventually this will cause cracks and holes to form even in the relatively thick metal of the transmission pan. Damage often tends to ensue from minor accidents such as running over a curb or bottoming the car out in a pothole. If the damage is severe enough, it may be necessary to instal a new pan. Fortunately, you can help to keep costs down by selecting a used auto part in good condition, rather than purchasing a brand new one.
Transmission pans also tend to develop leaks around the pan gasket. Much like the rubber fluid lines, the pan gasket has a tendency to degrade as it ages. Eventually this will begin allowing fluid to escape from around the gasket. Alternately, a gasket that was not correctly lined up during installation will result in a leak. For more information, contact companies like Teddy Bears Auto Parts & Salvage Inc.
Share4 May 2017
Some cars require more repairs than others. If your car is constantly breaking down for one reason or another, do you know if it is the parts that you are buying that could be causing the need for constant repairs? Just like cars are not built with equal quality, the same can be said for the parts you use to make the repairs. If you are shopping for parts, you are probably looking at a list of parts and their prices. Is the most expensive option always going to be the best choice? Are the more affordable options actually going to break sooner? To learn how to go about choosing the best parts for your car, visit my website.