[JayIV]

8/8/07
So I changed my tranny fluid today, why I am smelling something burning when I get out now? I spilled some fluid on the exhaust, but I figured it would have burned off on the 8 mile trip to my buddies barebecue. The second and third time I drove it (too and from the grocery store ~3 miles), I still smelled it. Is this normal? WTF could be wrong?

I don't see any drips from the pan, but to be honest I haven't looked very hard. Haven't had the chance to yet. The smell is more pronounced from the passenger side IE the fluid on the exhaust theory.

Any ideas?

8/9/07
Well, after driving it around a bit more, the smell seems to be alot less prominent. Instead of smelling it when you stepped outside of the vehicle, I actually have to kind of hunt for the smell now.

I checked the fluid today as well. Ran it for about 20 minutes on the way home, put it into park and left it running. Checked the fluid. It's actually just barely above the second hole for "cold" on the dipstick. I'm not sure if it's because I couldn't get a good reading or what, or maybe because I needed to leave it in park. I know that I put 6.5 quarts in there though so...?

Fluid doesn't look or smell burnt either. Kinda smells like a very, very deep potent citrus smell.

The tranny does however shift alot smoother, and seems to hold power alot better as well.

I sure hope it was just burning off some of the fluid from the exhaust.


Today

So I thought it might just have been tranny oil on the exhaust, but I started smelling it again today. And it was more pronounced. I figured it would've burned off the exhaust by now. I know it's not leaking anywhere because it isn't leaving any stains.

Help.

[JayIV]

anyone????

[YJinMN]

#1. Did you take out 6.5 quarts? My first impression is that you overfilled the tranny, and it is leaking out of the overflow hose (this is normal if you overfilled it). Buuttt, it seems to be reading low, so this might now be the problem.. I did mine last week, and only got out about 5 qts......

#2. Are you leaking from the pan? Take a look, you might not have got a good seal around the gasket, and at speed it could be misting on to you exaust.. If you put in 6.5qts and are still low there might be a leak...

#3. Check for drips around the bellhousing, TC, etc. You might have a leaky seal on the tranny itself.. I hope not..

Let us know what you find...!

MP

[JayIV]

Well, I think I actually might have taken out a bit more than 6.5 quarts. I was never able to accurately measure it, but it filled up 6 of the bottles that I put in. And I spilled a bunch on the grond as well.

I just looked again today- what I found;

It looks like it might be leaking from the tranny pan, must not of gotten a good seal. There are never any spots on the ground, but when I look at the pan it's dripping down and collecting on the bottom side of the pan. Maybe it is misting onto the exhaust- hopefully.

I can't see any other leaks.

However, I checked the fluid once again today, and it was still low. After driving for about 20 mins it was good and warm, when I got home I put it into park to check it. It read just above the second hole for the "cold" part of the dipstick. Think it might be a little low?

I'm gonna tighten up the bolts on the pan and wipe off the excess, hopefully that will stop the leaking.

Jay

[indept]

It can't hurt to torque the pan bolts to spec. Of course under tightening it will cause it to leak but overtightening it could overcompress the gasket & remember those bolts are only threaded into the aluminum trans case which is easy to strip out if you overtighten. I recently changed my tranny fluid & filter in my 42RE trans & since I had an inch pound torque wrench anyway I torqued them to spec. Its been 3 months with no problems. I also added a drain plug to the pan to make my next filter change a little easier.

[JayIV]

I might have to do it again... damnit.

And this time install a drain plug as well.

[-Joe-]

Into park and checked it? Thought it was best to put on the parking brake, tranny in neutral then check it.

Is the gasket cork or the rubber type? Ive always had sucky luck with cork ones.

[JayIV]

It was rubber.

[BlaineWasHere]

Did you also use RTV with the gasket? I did.

Also my tranny pan is missing one of the bolts becuase the hole is stripped and that does not cause a leak.

[greasefingers]

The rubber gasket is great. Only way to go. It does not need any sealant. I have reused mine twice so far. I did use a torque wrench however.

I know for the ZJs you must check the atf level only when the tranny is in neutral, otherwise it will read about ¾ of a quart too high. Not sure about WJs?

[YJinMN]

Rubber = better. That #$*@#$ cork one that the PO put on took me a HOUR to get off..

My repair CD says to check from Neutral with the fluid at drining temp. I have no idea if it makes any diference if it is in Park or Neutral...

MP

[indept]

It does make a difference on the 42RE 4spd in the WJ. You must be in neutral NOT park. I checked mine in park when I first bought my jeep used & the fluid was full. Then I read to do it in neutral, which I then did & it was about a quart low.

[JayIV]

It's hard as hell to accurately check the fluid on this thing... I can't tell if I'm good or not. One side of the dipstick has just the film of the fluid, and the other side has some fluid. The fluid side says not enough, the film side says to much. WTF!