Help identifying ATF leak please - transmission cooler?

[Johnny Graham]

Hi folks, I now have a major ATF leak - big puddle after idling 5 minutes - which looks like it is coming from the corner (n/s back) of the horizontal rad under the engine. Wynns ATF leak fixer made no difference at all back when it was a slight leak. Its just getting much worse now and costing me brass to top up the atf all the time.

So..What is this horizontal rad? It has two fans feeding it, so it looks important! Is it aircon and/or ATF cooling or something? I'm surprised it doesnt get really crapped up sitting under the motor like that.

I cant get the undershield for this rad off today, looks like a torx 55 or 60 holding it at the front, and I only have up to T50. But anyway I'd appreciate some pointers as to why ATF might be coming out of this particular spot to save me time and misery. It might be tracking from somewhere else above, pretty sure it isnt, but its pretty tight access down there.

Certainly not coming from ATF dipstick, sump or bellhousing at least.

Appreciate the help, love my surf and have to fix this as I just spent hunerds putting a new exhaust on her.

Sorry if this is in a search somewhere, searched ATF leak but 'ATF' is too short to be recognised as a search term

[Albannach]

If yours is a 2.4, the thing you're calling a rad is the Air Conditioning condenser. Nothing to do with the transmission.

[BUSHWHACKER]

Is the dipstick inserted into the tube properly?
Is the top half of dipstick tube seated correctly into the lower half?

Those two items is the only reason ATF would be leaking from the area you describe.

The underslung radiator is for the air-con by the way (assuming you have a 2.4 diesel, there's no details under your username)

Are you sure it's ATF? Condensate from the air-con leaves small puddles in that area too.

[Johnny Graham]

yes 2.4. So ok, ta that makes sense, altho that is one michty condenser! I have just replaced the condenser in an old 911 and that was a quarter the size. No wonder the aircon is crap in a 911!

so why is it leaking atf?? lol.

i'm wondering if it is tracking from under the radiator at the front - from a search I think there is a transmission cooler that is something to do with the radiator?

edit - thanks bushwahacker. it is nowhere near the filler/dipstick - this leak is right at the front/base of the engine. its deffo atf, red and oily. I could catch it and put it back in its coming out that quick.

[BUSHWHACKER]

so why is it leaking atf?? lol.

i'm wondering if it is tracking from under the radiator at the front - from a search I think there is a transmission cooler that is something to do with the radiator?

Read the first two lines of my post above.

[Johnny Graham]

just edited my post as I wrote it before i got your reply..not being ignorant!

dipstick is well seated under its retaining clip, and I have cleaned the filler tube and looked at the join with a torch with the motor running. there's no atf leaking anywhere near, but its dripping like mad at the front.

[BUSHWHACKER]

just edited my post as I wrote it before i got your reply..not being ignorant!

OK, if it's coming out that fast then the hose is loose or split on the fitting at the bottom of the main radiator.

I don't remember using a Torx drive to remove the bashplate on a 2.4. Have you tried an Allen key? They usually fit.

[Johnny Graham]

Great, thanks - so the atf has a feed into the radiator? I'll get that shield off tommorrow and get in there.

Its def a torx, but the other side is just a regular bolt, so I think it is a bodge from a previous life.

thanks for the help

[Albannach]

The front 2 on my 2.4 were Torx.

[4thsurf]

The front 2 on my 2.4 were Torx.

You think?There is nothing hard on a Surf In fact it is simple. They are only a 'Lux with leccy windows and a turbo

[Albannach]

You think?There is nothing hard on a Surf In fact it is simple. They are only a 'Lux with leccy windows and a turbo

What the fcuk are you on about?

[TonyN]

Oh-oh, Andy's in that sort of mood today...

The front bash plate bolts (on trucks with underslung A/C rad only) are 14mm hex with a Torx slot in the middle as well.

[Albannach]

Oh-oh, Andy's in that sort of mood today...

The front bash plate bolts (on trucks with underslung A/C rad only) are 14mm hex with a Torx slot in the middle as well.

I'm not, I'm perfectly happy

And I'm well aware of what bolts were on my bash plate, I object to folk telling me I'm not! Mine must have been rounded off at some point, there was definitely no hex on them, just the Torx bit.

[Johnny Graham]

OK, I got the (literally) offending torx bolt and bash guard off, and have unbolted and moved the condenser as much as it will move without disconnecting the aircon hoses.

So at least I can see the back of the rad now, although its not exactly easy-access-city down there..I guess there is no way of getting the condenser more out of the way without breaking the lines and losing all the refrigerant? I'm not meant to free refrigerant into the wild I dont think anyway.

I cant start it tonight to check for the leak, garage is next to kids bedroom. But the set up looks quite straightforward - 2 small hoses into the base of the rad either side of a great big hose in the middle. I presume the small ones are ATF in and out, and the big one is coolant?

Getting there..

[BUSHWHACKER]

2 small hoses into the base of the rad either side of a great big hose in the middle. I presume the small ones are ATF in and out, and the big one is coolant?

Getting there..

Yup, the driver's side is the flow line, the passenger side is the return line back to the transmission.