1992 Toyota Corolla Tranny Leaking Fluid

Hi Guys,

Thank you very much for your reply. I appreciate it. I answer questions on a medical board and I know how much time it takes.

Yesterday after I made the post I went down to examine my car better. The weather was good so I took advantage of it. I believe I found the leak. You'll never believe this. There is a rubber hose that attaches to a metal pipe on the Tranny. This is a hose that leads to the radiator. I know the Tranny fluid circulates in the radiator to cool down. So I don't know if this is the GO hose or the Return hose, but where it attaches to the Tranny there is one of those lousy squeeze clamps. I hate those things. I much prefer the ones you tighten with the screw. Well, this squeeze clip came off. Or it may have never been put on right when I had my radiator replaced a few years ago. Whatever happened, it's off the hose. The hose then slid down a little. There is a pin hole in the metal pipe on the Tranny, and that's the leak. I wrapped a paper towel around the metal pipe, and ran the engine for a few minutes. I looked under the car while the engine was running and I saw nothing dripping. I then shut the engine, removed the paper towel, and it was soaked with Tranny fluid. So I'm 90% sure this is the entire leak problem. If there is another one then it only leaks once the engine reaches operating temperatures and the Tranny pressure builds up. So now the question is, how do I fix this?

The first problem is I can barely get to this spot. I have to take off one of the splash guards at the bottom of the car and then I should be able to reach it. But then what?

Here's my plan. Once I can reach this thing, I plan to try and work the hose back up the pipe about 1/4 to 1/2". That will then cover the pin hole in the metal pipe. I then plan to get that squeeze clip back on the hose. This should be a temporary fix, and enough of a temp fix to drive the car. But what should I do in terms of a more permanent fix? Is there any way to fix the pin hole in the metal pipe? The pipe seems to be part of the Tranny housing, and cannot be replaced. This pipe is very narrow, and towards the front of the Tranny. I hope you know what I mean?

I suppose I should replace the entire hose, and put a screw clamp on. But the hole isn't in the hose, it's in the metal pipe. And since the car is so old, and since I live near the salt water, I have quite a bit of rust and corrosion on the metal at the bottom of the car. It's actually more like pitting, than rust. This is common with salt water.

One last question. Since I never serviced this Tranny in 17 years and 153,000 miles, should I change the filter or not? My father used to tell me that if you didn't change the Tranny fluid when the car was newer, then don't do it when it's older. But he meant the fluid. Well, considering all the fluid that leaked out and all that I had to put back in, the fluid is now changed anyway. I believe this Tranny holds 2 or 3 quarts of Fluid and I've had to put in at least 4 quarts so far just to get the car home a week ago. So what do you guys say, should I change the filter, or leave it alone?

Thank you for helping me.

Jack