Smoke

MICHAELMALLIN

MEMBER
HONDA ACCORD

1995 Honda Accord LX 4Cyl 102,000 miles. Driving on a road trip today I noticed the car was smoking when I pulled over for gas. Smelt like burning oil and I noticed a couple of small (half dollar) oil puddles on the group under the car. I assumed the car was leaking oil and checked the oil level. Slightly low. Took 1/2 quart. Called mechanic and he told me to keep a close eye on the oil level and bring in Monday. ON the way home the car revved up to 5000RPM in changing b/w 3rd and 4th. I also noticed that each shift was slightly more rough than usual. Realizing that thiat may have been trany fluid and not oil I pulled over to check the fluid. The car was not smoking and the transmission dipstick was dry. Car took 2 quarts of transmission fluid and drove home fine. Do Hondas have any particular place they might leak transmission fluid? If would have to be somewhere hot enough to burn and smoke. I didn't think transmissions typically leak fluid.

1 Reply

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,753 POSTS

The transmission can leak just like any other device. There are weak spots. For instance, the shafts that drive the front wheels turn out of the transmission and it is simply a seal that retains the fluid. One of those could be leaking and the oil could splash or land on the exhaust system. While moving the air currents could relocated the dripping oil to the exhaust and there you get the smoke and smell.

Try putting a clean piece of cardboard under the vehicle and note the location of any drips before you move the cardboard. Simply look up from the drop and locate the source.