A gearbox oil leak , which is a loss of transmission fluid from the gearbox and differential, is a condition where gearbox oil tends to leak and settle on the ground. Normally this type of problem is favored by the presence of some cracks that have formed in the transmission seal, and which therefore contribute to the escape of the liquid.
Although this loss is considered by many motorists as “marginal” compared to other prejudices that their vehicle may face, in reality it is always advisable to avoid underestimating this prejudice, because transmission oil leaks can in turn stimulate various transmission problems and therefore jeopardize the correct functioning of the vehicle.
But how to solve the problem of gearbox oil leak ? What can we do to restore the correct usability of your vehicle?
Check for leaks
Of course, the first thing we need to do in order to understand how to solve the problem of transmission oil leak is to check for leaks. In fact, we must try to understand, in other words, whether it is actually the loss of transmission oil, or something else.
To do this, simply place the vehicle on a flat surface and, after switching off the engine, check if any liquid will come out from the front or rear of the transmission.
Once the loss has been ascertained, it is possible to proceed with assessing its severity. Is it a small or very serious loss? By small leak we generally mean the loss of a few drops of fluid, while large leaks quickly form a pool of liquid under the vehicle. Evaluating its severity will also allow you to evaluate its position, to understand where it is convenient to carry out the repair operation.
Drain the gear oil
In order to start carrying out the repair in question, the gearbox oil must first be drained . To do this it is necessary to lift the vehicle and secure it safely by means of stands. Considering the delicacy of this activity, we can only recommend that it be carried out by some specialist mechanic, who has all the necessary equipment to be able to raise the vehicle without risk for those who have to intervene.
Therefore, it will be necessary to identify the gearbox oil pan and drain the fluid, obviously placing a container at the bottom to prevent it from dispersing and then favor the correct disposal of the fluid itself.
Replace the gasket
Once the fluid has been drained, the next step will be to replace the gasket. Then remove the oil pan bolts with a wrench and, after removing it, check the gasket on the drain plug. Therefore, proceed with replacing the old gasket with a new one, considering that the drain plug or a gasket that is too worn could favor the loss of the transmission fluid and, therefore, represent the cause that determined the problem that arose with the leak. oil.
Therefore, a sealant of the gasket can be used to ensure that the gasket is firmly fixed, and that there are no cracks.
Once this is done, you can also proceed with checking the correct threading on the bolts, because even a problem with this element could then favor the formation of leaks. If this occurs, it will be enough to replace the old bolts with new ones.
Fill with gear oil
Finally, it will be necessary to fill the transmission fluid pan with new oil, taking care to close everything properly. You can therefore resume using the vehicle and, in the first days after carrying out these repair operations, be very careful to understand if the problem has been definitively resolved or if it is able to recur, thus suggesting the presence of other determinants.
