Driving with a slight transmission leak

[TARHEELKIDD]

I am heading out of town tomorrow for a Beach trip(500 miles round trip). I have a 2020 Gladiator, 3.6 gas, Auto transmission. I took it to the dealership for an oil change and they informed me that it has a transmission leak. It is not dripping, but a small seepage. They informed me that it is okay to drive, and I only need to set an appointment if I start noticing fluid on the driveway. I checked where I park on my driveway. No fluid. I drove 40 minutes to work, crawled under the Jeep, nothing. No fluid anywhere around the transmission, seals, front or back. I let it sit for over and hour, checked again, nothing. It drives fine and the transmission temp on the ride in was below 200 the entire ride. Should I be concerned taking it to the beach. It is the only vehicle I have that can carry the umbrellas and chairs.

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[WILDHOBO]

I am heading out of town tomorrow for a Beach trip(500 miles round trip). I have a 2020 Gladiator, 3.6 gas, Auto transmission. I took it to the dealership for an oil change and they informed me that it has a transmission leak. It is not dripping, but a small seepage. They informed me that it is okay to drive, and I only need to set an appointment if I start noticing fluid on the driveway. I checked where I park on my driveway. No fluid. I drove 40 minutes to work, crawled under the Jeep, nothing. No fluid anywhere around the transmission, seals, front or back. I let it sit for over and hour, checked again, nothing. It drives fine and the transmission temp on the ride in was below 200 the entire ride. Should I be concerned taking it to the beach. It is the only vehicle I have that can carry the umbrellas and chairs.

Mine too. No dripping and SLOW seeping. As with you, no codes, no high temps, and it drives great. I’ll get to it when I do. Which isn’t this week or next month probably. I keep watching it though.

 

[Lunentucker]

Well, either it's fine or it doesn't have any fluid left in it.
I'd drive it and keep an eye where you park it.

 

[TARHEELKIDD]

Well, either it's fine or it doesn't have any fluid left in it.
I'd drive it and keep an eye where you park it.

According to the service department, it was not low on fluid. They had the truck pulled in for a little over an hour. I know it is a PITA to check the fluid since there is no dip stick and it needs to be lifted, etc. I cannot find any fluid residue at all on the trans. Not one drop on the pavement where I parked today.

 

[Lunentucker]

According to the service department, it was not low on fluid. They had the truck pulled in for a little over an hour. I know it is a PITA to check the fluid since there is no dip stick and it needs to be lifted, etc. I cannot find any fluid residue at all on the trans. Not one drop on the pavement where I parked today.

Have you owned it since new?

 

[TARHEELKIDD]

Have you owned it since new?

Negative. I bought it March of 2023. I have put 14,000 miles on it since I have had it. The previous owner never had it off road. It still looked brand new underneath the Jeep. Garage kept, etc.

 

[Blade1668]

Negative. I bought it March of 2023. I have put 14,000 miles on it since I have had it. The previous owner never had it off road. It still looked brand new underneath the Jeep. Garage kept, etc.

From what you have posted, it should be fine. Now if it was dripping that would be a big difference. In the Army that would "have been" a class one leak, many vehicles have that for years. Just think about how many drops are in the close to 2 gallons of transmission fluid. Your statement is not even dripping.

 

[Lunentucker]

Negative. I bought it March of 2023. I have put 14,000 miles on it since I have had it. The previous owner never had it off road. It still looked brand new underneath the Jeep. Garage kept, etc.

Then it's possible that there was a previous issue that left some residue or perhaps the previous owner decided to change or check the fluid and left some. I REALLY don't have much faith in Dealership service techs anymore.

 

[TARHEELKIDD]

From what you have posted, it should be fine. Now if it was dripping that would be a big difference. In the Army that would "have been" a class one leak, many vehicles have that for years. Just think about how many drops are in the close to 2 gallons of transmission fluid. Your statement is not even dripping.

Thanks. Drops in 2 gallons...it would have to be hundreds if not more. It definitely is not dripping. The shop confirmed the same. I have checked it a few times today since I parked it. I put a piece of cardboard underneath it since I know asphalt can absorb it quickly. Completely dry.

 

[TARHEELKIDD]

Then it's possible that there was a previous issue that left some residue or perhaps the previous owner decided to change or check the fluid and left some. I REALLY don't have much faith in Dealership service techs anymore.

I am beginning to feel the same way. You are always at the mercy of the particular tech that looks at your Jeep. You might get a rookie or an expert. The last time I took my Jeep to Discount Tire, the new guy, scratched the hell out of my aftermarket wheel. They will pay for the repair, but I need to take to a specialist and bring them the invoice. It has been nine months and I still have not done it. I have used that shop over 10 times without issue.

 

[WILDHOBO]

According to the service department, it was not low on fluid. They had the truck pulled in for a little over an hour. I know it is a PITA to check the fluid since there is no dip stick and it needs to be lifted, etc. I cannot find any fluid residue at all on the trans. Not one drop on the pavement where I parked today.

What’s the method to check the level?

 

[Stan H]

It has to be warmed and then running in park then the fill plug taken out on the side of the transmission it should just start to seep out of the hole. There is a pic of the directions for that posted somewhere on here. It's a Chrysler service bulletin. If I was going to check it . I would look up the procedure first and follow it. Temperature 86-120 degrees ,etcetera all has to be followed

 

[TARHEELKIDD]

It has to be warmed and then running in park then the fill plug taken out on the side of the transmission it should just start to seep out of the hole. There is a pic of the directions for that posted somewhere on here. It's a Chrysler service bulletin. If I was going to check it . I would look up the procedure first and follow it. Temperature 86-120 degrees ,etcetera all has to be followed

What he said. Lol

 

[WILDHOBO]

It has to be warmed and then running in park then the fill plug taken out on the side of the transmission it should just start to seep out of the hole. There is a pic of the directions for that posted somewhere on here. It's a Chrysler service bulletin. If I was going to check it . I would look up the procedure first and follow it. Temperature 86-120 degrees ,etcetera all has to be followed

Thanks very much.

 

[TARHEELKIDD]

I called the dealership service department one more time and they informed me that the Jeep is fine to drive since it is only seepage. I should only be concerned if I see any fluid on the ground. I ended up driving the Gladiator to the beach. It is a 4-hour drive, mostly all interstate. I drove at 80 MPH. The outside temp was between 97 and 99F. The highest temp reading on the transmission was 204F, but was 199F 90% of the drive. I avg 19.1 MPG. I drove back from Tybee to Atlanta yesterday. The outside temp was high 80's to 91F. The trans temp never got higher than 199F. I averaged 17.4 MPG on the ride back. I checked the transmission for leaks and still cannot find anything. There is nothing on the ground and I cannot locate any seepage.

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