00TinkerDoll00

So I just took the 89 RX-7 auto to have the transmission fluid & filter changed. Took it to a highly reputable tranny shop in town. When I picked up the car, the owner of the shop says to me ... "You might have a little smoke until the spilled ATF burns away, but it's only temporary" ...

During the next few days, I noticed it was leaking ATF and thought it was likely from the over spill and will clear up shortly. In the meantime, I steam cleaned the undercarriage hoping to speed up the process. Weeks go by now and the leak, as well as burning ATF, only seem to be getting worse?

A few days ago, I jacked up the car to get a better look. I really couldn't see exactly where the leak was originating, so I squirted a can of engine cleaner and let it set. Steam cleaned the undercarriage again. The smoking seemed to stop. It's late and getting dark, and at this point I'm hoping ... problem solved. Pulled car back into garage.

Yesterday, I noticed it's still dripping ATF, so I did a bit more research.

First, I checked the ATF level when cold. Looks WAY WAY WAY overfilled to me. (see 1st attached photo). I know you're supposed to check ATF level when it's hot and the car is running, but I wanted to see if the levels change at all during the process, so I checked both.

Problem: When the car is hot and idling, I really cannot see much of a change in the ATF level on the dipstick (see 2nd attached photo). It's difficult to see from my photo, but it STILL measures about 4" up on the dipstick ... WELL above the overfill line. The red arrow in my photo is how high the ATF is measuring up on the stick after wiping it clean and reinserting.

Does anyone know what could be going on here? I'm a little worried (actually really worried), because the leak seems to be dripping straight down onto the exhaust. (see 3rd photo taken from passenger's side) Does this look like a leak coming from the rear seal?

I noticed smoke coming from what appears to be a hole in the exhaust system, as depicted in the 4th attached photo taken from the Driver's side (see white arrow). It's hard for me to see from this angle, so I won't know for sure until I jack up the car again to get a better look. It looked like the smoke was coming from this hole! I also took a short vid of area under the car where the leak is and to show the smoking ATF, but can't seem to figure out why it won't upload.

Is it possible this continuous leak might be due to an overfill, or is there something more serious going on? I don't know the best plan of action, other than rechecking those levels again to make sure I got them right the first time.

Any suggestions?

Also, let me know if I need permission to upload a vid, since I'm a newbie? I really appreciate your help!

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

Yes,feel free upload a video if you wish to.

Also that level looks to high so you may want to try this:Take out 2 quarts(or liters..whatever),put them into a clean drain pan and check the level again.That way you can use the fluid if it is lower than the fill line on the stick.
The residual on the exhaust should burn away quickly,but that level on the stick is what is getting me.The "reputable" guy should have noticed that right off the bat and fixed the Screw up.

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

Oh...if the ATF got inbetween the shield and the Cat then it may take longer to burn off.

00TinkerDoll00

Thanks Styx for the advice! I'm on my way right now to get a tub to drain some of the ATF into. Haven't done this before, so would appreciate any suggestions on how to avoid creating a huge mess on my garage floor? Is there a simple drain plug you remove, similar to an engine oil drain plug and is the tranny fluid pan easy to access or should I be prepared to remove other parts? I can't tell by looking at the FSM. Thought I'd ask first, in case I want to rethink doing this job at home.

00TinkerDoll00

Also, I'll take a better photo of the exhaust pipe today, but if that is in fact a hole, what would be the best way of correctly repairing it?

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

I'm honestly not familair with teh physical appearance of the Auto Trans..
I took a quick glance at the Factory service manual..but..meh..
I saw some **** but no plug to drain..

MY 2 cents..fast and easy
It has Cooler lines..Take the lower line and disconnect it(NOT totally,just enough to start fluid flowing out) and let it drain out some fluid..It will be a little messy but you'll get the fluid out!

lastphaseofthis

iTrader: (8)

what i would probably do, is drain way more then you think and refill it. there should be a drain on the bottom of the pan, its been while since i've messed with an auto.

take the car to and exhaust specific shop.

ACR_RX-7

iTrader: (1)

Take it the eff back to the shop that worked on it. If you start dicking around with it and potentially damage something by draining and adding fluid, you set yourself up for losing out on any potential warranty.

I work in a shop for a living. I take pride in my work, and they should too. Make them clean it up and fix the leak. You should not have any residual leaks after they just serviced it. Period.

In my shop, we clean every vehicle of leaks after we get done working on it. We also road test each and every vehicle several miles after any repairs to make sure it is ready for delivery. This shop does not sound like they took that kind of time, nor care with your car. Make them clean your undercarriage. They made it a mess. They should clean it up.

If this shop cares about their reputation, they will take care of the car and make sure the fluid level is good upon delivery. Having a grossly overfilled transmission at a supposed "Reputable transmission shop" is absolutely unacceptable. Really pisses me off when other people in the industry give a bad name to those of us who relentlessly pursue excellence on each and every car.