Transmission fluid leak
 

In February - our shop needed to replace 2 quarts of transmission fluid but they could not find a leak. They felt maybe it was just a loss of fluid over the last 20 years (maybe).
Well since then the Jeep still keeps leaking and it is staining the driveway.
Had the Jeep in for its annual checkup today. Now they have found the leak - but it is going to require removing the transmission to fix it (another visit required).
Question : In the US - how much does that sound like it would cost ?

Thanks

Edit : is there anything else I should have them do if they remove the transmission ? eg. other seals and such ?

I'm guessing it is the front transmission seal? I had to do that on my '99. A lot of labor for a $5.00 seal but there is only one way to fix it and that is by removing the trans. There are other seals that can be replaced while the trans and transfer case are out. I replaced a few of them, but don't recall which. You can look at a parts diagram to see what is between the trans and transfer case. When I pulled my trans at ~215k miles, only that front seal was in bad shape hardened. Once other area item that is only replaceable by removing the bellhousing is the freeze plug on the back of the engine. I had to get that replaced by the dealer (this was before I started taking on major work like removing a transmission). It was ~$1000 in labor (to R&R the trans) and $2.00 for the freeze plug. I would image it would be similar for the trans seal. An idie shop would be cheaper than the dealer but you are still looking at 6-7 hours of labor and whatever that will cost.

When you have the trans out, you can also drain the torque converter and get all that fluid out for a clean refill. If you have never replaced your driveshaft ujoints, this would be a good opportunity for that too since the front and rear driveshaft need to be disconnected to drop the trans.

Thanks for all the great information !
I go to pick up the Jeep in the morning when I'll learn all the gory details of what they have found.
Fortunately - I do not need to visit a dealership for service and our competent/honest mechanic makes a LOT less than $100/hr. Of course - if the parts have to come from the US - that is a killer. Edit : even though the parts are probably made here in Mexico.

Question : We live in a world of pot holes and speed bumps - some of which I do not always anticipate.
If I hit a speed bump too fast (not way too fast) - could that damage the transmission ? or the transmission seals ? Or is that probably just the suspension ?

sorry, didn't see you were in mexico. Just suspension unless you're hitting it really fast and bottom out and hit the transmission somehow. :) . If it's the front seal, it just ages, gets brittle and cracks. But, when that seal goes, you'll typically see a lot white smoke as it leaks and drips onto the exhaust. But, it was really low on fluid, it might stay low enough to not hit that seal as it warms up.

Lucky for you, in this case the parts are likely seals - which are fairly available and not usually expensive.

Generally, bumps don't hurt transmissions. But to be fair, more bumps and hard vibrations to tend to increase fluid leaks. Because the forces tend to be hard on seals over time.

If you can get it there, try some AT-205. It may not work, or it may. It depends on the nature of the seal and the damage. I have had it almost completely seal a front main seal on a Ford 351, and that thing had been a gusher. I have had it completely seal a power steering pump leak on my Cherokee. I have had it mostly seal a transmission leak on my Cherokee. I've also had it make no discernible difference on a trans on another vehicle. So, it's not magic, it's not foolproof, but it does work for some cases. It's a lot cheaper than a seal replacement!

Went in today to pick up the Jeep from its tune-up service. $40 USD (oil filter, air filter, check the brakes, spark plugs look new, etc - I supplied the oil which was on sale at Costco).

While there we went over the transmission fluid leak. Yes - it is the front seal. But he also pointed out that there is a metal ring, about the size of a silver dollar that is near the back of the engine which is being 'crushed'. How they could see that I have no idea. He said it would require removing the 'head' (is that the thing all the spark plugs go into?). He sized the two projects at around 6 days labor (3 days each) but made a point that the transmission work was the easier of the two.

We left the car with him and asked him to let us know when it is ready. His preliminary quote - $350 USD.

Edit : regarding that metallic ring - I think he said that because it was being crushed, water was leaking ?? And while he has the car they will use my $100 USD smoke machine to once and for all figure out our small evap leak (I purchased a new UV flashlight).

Damn. $350 for all that sounds like a great deal. Labor rate sin mexico must be a lot different than mechanic labor rates in the US. The metal ring sounda like the freeze plugs. No idea what else he could be talking about, but they don't get crushed. They are about the size of a silver dollar and there is one at the back that can only be replaced with the transmission out. there is one on the back of the head too. Here is a video that talks about the freeze plugs and the two I mentioned. . The freeze plugs corrode from the inside out and will leak.

Maybe a translation problem?