While looking at the dimensions for a deeper trans fluid pan, I noticed the trans pan covered in black seepage and dirt. The seepage seems to be coming from between the transmission and engine. I'm taking it to the dealer tomorrow for them to take a look. Has anyone else seen this? I'm thinking some seepage is normal, but how much is too much?

 

I had a small leak on the front right passenger side at around 20k miles and they tried to talk me into a $$ fluid change telling me it had to be done at 30k anyway...which I found out was BS. Friendly bet says they try the same thing with you, lol!

 

well that is their way of trying to get a bit extra besides what the warranty will pay them, if it is leaking tell them it makes no sense for them to put new fluid. So have them fix the leak first and well they will have to put clean fluid in it will be covered for them by warranty don't fall for that scam

 

As far as mine goes, I figured that they would just over tighten the pan bolts so I chose not to let them touch it. I'm at around 28k miles on it now and did plan to go in around 30k for a tranny and rearend fuild change but I'm not sure now with so many options.

 

Well, the dealer cleaned the pan and surroundings and put dye in the tranny fluid. I'm to drive it for 2 weeks and then bring it in to see if it's seepage or a leak. Dealer said if it's seepage, chrysler won't pay to fix it. So they have to prove a leak before a warranty. So now I'm on hold for the deep finned pan I was going to install on the tranny.

 

I don't follow you, what's the difference between seepage and a leak? What is seepage...from what?

 

My guess is that the dealer defines seepage as wetness that does not accumulate enough to form drops. When I was working on aircraft, we had equipment that was cooled by PAO (Poly-Alpha-Olefin) and we had a standard for defining leaks. We cleaned the wetness off and then put a piece of white absorbent material under the wetness- suspected leak. If after 24 hours there were no drops formed, then no repair was required.

 

I guess I can swallow that since you're familar with the term. You should keep an eye on it yourself too to compare notes...good luck.

 

Bull. Chrysler will pay for seepage/leakage. Dosen't take two weeks for tracer to show up. I'd drive it 4 or 5 days and black light it. Its nort suppose to seep enough to leave a film with crud stuck to it. Only if TOWING is auto trans service due at 60k. Nothing in the book about 30 anything with trans fliud. If pan is seeping they need to pull it,new rubber gasket,new fliud. Make you happy and THEY make money. If they handle it right they get paid for tracer dye,the part and I'm pretty sure a addon for inspecting for leak,blue lighting it, then the repair. Its all in the pen.

 

I questioned the service rep about the need for the dye. He said that it was part of the process to isolate the source of the fluid. If there is wetness and no dye, then it's coming from the engine. He said that he needs to do this in order to get an OK from Chrysler. He said he wants to do the work and get payed for it. The work order said to drive it 100 miles and then return for inspection. The service rep said he was going to be out for a week and wanted me to wait for him to return. I put the truck on jacks and took pictures when I got home and will continue to monitor the leak. Blacklighting it is a good idea, I'll go out to Harbor Freight and get one today.-