I currently drive a 2002 Dodge Neon with an automatic transmission.

Last winter, my car started leaking a good amount of Transmission fluid. I didn't have the resources to have the leak checked out at the time, so I stayed on top of my fluid levels and everything was fine. Summer got here and my car stopped leaking transmission fluid. Well, winter has set in here again and it's brought it's colt temperatures along with it. The leak came back.

The fact that it's a leak that is only active duringwinter leads me to believe it's a bad seal that's getting rigid with the cold temperatures (I live in Fairbanks, AK and when I say cold temperatures, I'm talking about 20 degrees BELOW zero and down).

Any thoughts?

 

only thing i can think of would be to get new seals. maybe some custom material that will withstand the colder temps.

 

OMG wtf, 20 below? Does your car have a problem shifting into 4th? Mine does, I don't understand especially since it's computer controlled. But I have a transmission cooler, so that's probably it. Don't get one.

But anyways, the gasket you usually buy that has a filter is really cheap. You might have to drop the plan, replace the gasket and use some Gasket Maker around the edges to really make a good seal.

It really only takes about an hour to do all that.

-Jack up car
-Unbolt Transmission Pan
-Allow fluids to drain
-Apply gasket
-Bolt up Pan
-Add fluid


Works like a charm! I have a leak too. I'm far too lazy to fix it.


DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN THE BOLTS, IT WILL TEAR THE GASKET AND THAT'S WHY I HAVE A LEAK NOW

 

The only time it has problems shifting is when I just turn the key and drive. As long as it has plenty of warmup time it runs like a champ.

I was planning on taking it into the shop to have the work done, but they'd probably end up just putting the same piece back in. Might have to do this one on my own I suppose.

Thanks for the input so far.

 

hey that leak is probably the solenoid pack on the front of the trans, I've noticed it on a few 4-speeds. The plastic shrinks when it gets cold I think, you can try taking out the airbox and tightening the torx bolts holding the assembly together to get it to stop, that works sometimes. They are hard to reach, but like i said its under the airbox. You may need a new solenoid pack though.

 

I've "HEARD" that you can take some gasket maker and apply it around the edge...somewhat like a bandaid. I'm not too sure if that would work given the heat of the pan, but for $5 what can you lose? 10 minutes?

Good luck! Take pics of Alaska, I want to move there sometime.