New Transmission Fluid

[theholycow]

Toyota diesel engines in Toyota vehicles is no surprise. I wish they'd sell them here.

[bowtieguy]

Originally Posted by theholycow

I'm no expert but it sounds like the pan gasket is the leaky one.

nope. definately not the pan.

[kamesama980]

Originally Posted by bowtieguy

BTW, got a question...

my wife's AT is leaking fluid. it is coming from around the pan, as little as it is. i tried tightening the pan bolts to no avail. anyway, it shifts fine, so could this be a pump gasket leak?

i got a quote for pulling the tranny, replace gasket, and refill w/ said amsoil for $760.50. so...

could this be my problem? and should i have this done(sooner rather than later)?

BIG mistake. pan bolts usually go to a seemingly crazy low torque... use it though. in thin sheet metal pans and covers, 90% of leaks are caused by overtightening the bolts. if it's leaking, drop the pan, get a new gasket, and put it all back together with a torque wrench to the RIGHT torque.

Originally Posted by bowtieguy

nope. definately not the pan.

sure? how can you tell? my $.02 is to clean it all well, drive it like normal, and check every day. look for dribbles and trails of fluid above the pan. if there are none, it's the pan.

[bowtieguy]

thanks, i'll try that.

[Mayhim]

I've always used a gasket sealer on trans pans and have not had leaks afterwards. I use wax & grease remover solvent after I do an extreme clean of the bits of gasket left behind. I usually wind up running over the pan with a wire wheel on my 4.5 inch grinder.

I put gasket sealer on both sides of the gasket, the pan, and the trans. I've found over several vehicles that the bolt torque is usually around 10lbs. I did Daughter's car by hand and it leaked like a seive. I did a re-clean, re-seal, and re-install at 10lbs and all was well.

The gasket sealer I use is from Permatex, comes in a small plastic bottle, and has a brush in the cap.

[GasSavers_XRinger]

If I used anything but Mercon LV in my new 2009 Escape, I'm pretty sure
that my Ford warranty would be in jeopardy.

And of course, this stuff is suppose to last forever..

[shatto]

Taint So!

Any manufacturers ATF that meets or exceeds specifications will not void the manufacturers warranty...by law.

[GasSavers_XRinger]

The manual says using unapproved ATF can cause damage.
But, if Ford did Approve an alternate brand, I might try it
if the cost was lower.

[shatto]

Warranties
and the
Magnuson-Moss Act


If you are interested in using AMSOIL motor oil, but concerned that using a synthetic oil or extending your oil drain interval will void his warranty, you have no need for concern. Congress in 1975 enacted the federal Magnuson-Moss Act to regulate written consumer product warranties. An examination of the law reveals warranties remain intact when AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants are used.

The law was meant to give consumers detailed information about warranty coverage before they buy.

Congress charged the Federal Trade Commission with creation of the specifics of the law.

The FTC set down three rules under the Act: the Disclosure Rule, the Pre-Sale Availability Rule and the Dispute Resolution Rule.

Those rules require warrantors to title their written warranty as either full or limited, provide a single, clear and easy-to-read document that spells out certain information about coverage and ensure that warranties are available where the products are sold so that consumers can read them before buying.

In passing the Act, Congress meant to give consumers access to warranty information, let consumers comparison shop for warranties, encourage warranty competition and promote timely and complete performance of warranty obligations.

While the Magnuson-Moss Act does not require manufacturers to provide a written warranty, it provides specific rules when one is provided. Among those provisions, FTC regulations state: (c) No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumers using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name; except that the prohibition of this subsection may be waived by the Commission if (1) the warrantor satisfies the Commission that the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product, and (2) the Commission finds that such a waiver is in the public interest. (15 U.S.C.2302(C))

That means your warranty stands when you use AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants.

Vehicle manufacturers recommend lubricants according to their viscosity grade and service classification. Any oil, whether its conventional petroleum motor oil or synthetic, meeting the correct viscosity grade, 5W-30 for example, and the current API and ILSAC North American service classifications may be used without affecting warranty coverage. AMSOIL motor oils are recommended for use in applications requiring these specifications.

Furthermore, the practice of extending oil drain intervals does not void warranties. Original equipment manufacturers pay or deny warranty claims based on the findings of failure analysis. To affect the vehicle warranty, the lubricant must be directly responsible for the failure. If the oil didn't cause the problem the warranty cannot be voided, regardless of brand or length of time in use.

Synthetic motor oil was introduced to the automotive public in 1972 by AMSOIL, INC., with the world's first API rated synthetic motor oil specially formulated for long service and superior performance and protection to that of conventional oils.

Nearly 30 years ago, AMSOIL synthetics represented a vision of the future and technology ahead of their time. Since then, every major engine oil manufacturer has introduced synthetic oils of their own. To be sure, many original equipment manufacturers would like you to believe you can only use their products. However, it's a violation of the consumer protections set forth in the Magnuson-Moss Act, unless they're willing to provide you those products free of charge.

AMSOIL offers a warranty that covers the cost of repair or replacement of a proven mechanically sound engine damaged as a result of using AMSOIL synthetic motor oil. However, it has never happened. Thirty years of experience proves AMSOIL can be installed in any vehicle with complete confidence.

AMSOIL further backs its products with action when a Dealer or customer reports being told their warranty is voided if they use synthetics.

If you have heard from any member of a business that the use of AMSOIL Motor Oil or the practice of extending drain intervals will void warranties, send AMSOIL all the details including the name of the business, business owner or manager and the individual making the claims, in a signed and dated letter. Send the letter to the Technical Services Department at corporate headquarters and an AMSOIL representative will send them a letter explaining the facts.

Access to the complete Magnuson-Moss Act is available on the Internet by key words Magnuson-Moss Act or Federal Trade Commission.