[5th Gen : 08+]: Tranny or torque converter?
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Tranny or torque converter?
(Not sure this posted so trying again).
I bought a 2012 caravan (white) off FB from a reliable guy. 187k, good condition, he serviced regularly and used it for trips. Always wondered about the six speed but it ran well, transmission fluid looked good and had been serviced in the past.
One day after beating hard driving on dirt road, I did not notice a small puddle of tranny fluid on the drive. Went to store, came back, left another small puddle I did not notice. Drove it across town and noticed it had a rumble that I thought was an exhaust leak - noticeable on acceleration and at speed (may be unrelated). While stopping at a stop light, the van lurched and stalled. It has never done that. I stopped to air my tires, backed out and saw a large puddle of tranny fluid. I drove home a few blocks immediately and parked it. Fluid was low and dripping from the weep holes under the flywheel (flex plate?). I filled the fluid and drove it to a friend's place with a decent shade tree shop, hoping it was simple. It leaked when the engine was running and did not fully drain, all fluid coming from the weep holes and from the area of one bolt immediately behind the weep holes.
I topped it off, drove it home and got online. Of course everyone says get a new tranny because everyone just gets told to buy a new tranny. None of the regular shops here will say anything but that I need a new tranny. But I can't afford five grand. I also saw posts about torque converters and seals in the area above the weep holes. I've got a guy willing to pull the tranny and take a look.
Is it worth the gamble that the tranny is okay and a replaceable part/seal is responsible for the leak, and can be repaired? The transmission seemed to shift okay and I do not believe it was ever low on fluid. Are there any tests? The fluid seems to be only tranny fluid (not a radiator fluid overflow). Is exploratory surgery a reasonable option or should I just give up. I can't afford a new tranny.
I bought a 2012 caravan (white) off FB from a reliable guy. 187k, good condition, he serviced regularly and used it for trips. Always wondered about the six speed but it ran well, transmission fluid looked good and had been serviced in the past.
One day after beating hard driving on dirt road, I did not notice a small puddle of tranny fluid on the drive. Went to store, came back, left another small puddle I did not notice. Drove it across town and noticed it had a rumble that I thought was an exhaust leak - noticeable on acceleration and at speed (may be unrelated). While stopping at a stop light, the van lurched and stalled. It has never done that. I stopped to air my tires, backed out and saw a large puddle of tranny fluid. I drove home a few blocks immediately and parked it. Fluid was low and dripping from the weep holes under the flywheel (flex plate?). I filled the fluid and drove it to a friend's place with a decent shade tree shop, hoping it was simple. It leaked when the engine was running and did not fully drain, all fluid coming from the weep holes and from the area of one bolt immediately behind the weep holes.
I topped it off, drove it home and got online. Of course everyone says get a new tranny because everyone just gets told to buy a new tranny. None of the regular shops here will say anything but that I need a new tranny. But I can't afford five grand. I also saw posts about torque converters and seals in the area above the weep holes. I've got a guy willing to pull the tranny and take a look.
Is it worth the gamble that the tranny is okay and a replaceable part/seal is responsible for the leak, and can be repaired? The transmission seemed to shift okay and I do not believe it was ever low on fluid. Are there any tests? The fluid seems to be only tranny fluid (not a radiator fluid overflow). Is exploratory surgery a reasonable option or should I just give up. I can't afford a new tranny.
