sam617

Wife was driving home from work tonight, saw smoke coming out the back off the car, next thing you know car just started to decelerate even when stepping on the gas pedal, she had to pull over call for a tow. Car is at home now, cel on nav screen for transmission p0767,p0796. Puddle of black oil that smells like burnt transmission fluid leaking from somewhere underneath the car. Do y'all think my transmission is done? Btw, car is a 2007 tls with 157k miles, one owner, just change the fluid about a month ago. Can it be leaking from a hose? Thanks, Sam

YeuEmMaiMai

most likely, yes the trans is done

sam617

Does anyone know how much fluid the transmission hold total? I know when you drain it, it only drain 3.5-4 quarts. Thanks, Sam

truonghthe

~ 9 quarts total.

sam617

I just finish checking the trans from underneath the car and it looks dry. The fluid leaked seem to be coming from around the top of the subframe area. Is there hoses connecting the transmission to the subframe area(front end) Thank, Sam

sam617

Found my problem!!! The bottom off the radiator(passenger side)where the elbow connection meet crack and let all the trans fluid leak out. Hopefully it's just the radiator I have to replace and not the transmission. Should I go to autozone or just get a oem radiator? Thanks, Sam

ECRD

So it was the fitting on the rad for the trans cooler lines? Very common.

Autozone, pep boys, etc have very poor quality radiators you will get what you pay for.

Another option is to eliminate the trans cooler lines going to the radiator completely and run a real external trans cooler mounted in the front of the car instead. Its cheaper, a nice trans cooler kit runs about $50-$75, its easy to install, better for the trans, and no need to replace the oem radiator.

This is what I did with both my mdx and TL's.

sam617

Are you speaking from experience with aftermarket radiator? Thanks, Sam

csmeance

Most auto parts are get what you pay for. Don't cheap out esp considering the wife is driving the car.

Did you try hooking up the lines without the cooler, and new fluid to see if the trans is okay?

sam617

I haven't tried hooking up the line to the trans cooler yet. Already place an order with delray for a radiator. Hopefully the transmission is still good.

csmeance

like buy a 3 foot hose, hose splices and you can connect it around the radiator (bypass it) to see if the trans is ok. Fill with the proper amount of fluid before starting.

ECRD

Yes I'm speaking from experience, Ive installed rads from those parts stores on multiple customers cars only to end up leaking due to quality, then having to remove it again, bring back for exchange, install again, who pays for double labor? Customer.

Buy oem quality once and done, will last up to 200k...

Yes you could just connect both trans cooler lines so it does not go into the rad and fill trans, clear codes, drive it to see it the trans is shot?

sam617

How much fluid should I put in? The dipstick read about1/8-1/4 of fluid. Thanks, Sam

csmeance

The entire trans holds about 9-10 quarts. The amount that'll drain from the drain bolt is 3.3-3.5 quarts. The dipstick should read between the 2 holes when the fluid is at operating temp, within 60 seconds of turning off the engine.It should be at the lower hole with the car cold at a minimum.

mau108

Had the same thing happen to my parents 07 RDX. Had to rebuild the transmission. If it got to the point the car was not accelerating any more then I'm guessing you are in the same predicament.

polish_pat

Is there really a transmission line close to the radiator? Seems odd.

truonghthe

07-08 TL has OEM external ATF cooler locate on the left front of the car. where 04-06 TL does not come with external cooler.

polish_pat

Ah! Explains why, I have 05 and just changed my motor mounts few days ago, I thought I was blind for a few seconds

YeuEmMaiMai

partially incorrect... part of the trans cooler is on top of the transmission with cooler lines going in and out...for the 04-06 cars

sam617

Update: Just finish replacing my radiator, added transmission fluid about 4 quarts and a gallon of radiator, started the car and she's moving now. Dodge a bullet, maybe? Idk, only time will tell?? Thanks for the help Acurazine!! Best forum ever!! Sam

YeuEmMaiMai

I hope it stays running but it has been my experience that once you run a Honda automatic dry while in operation, it will die a short time later...

sam617

Maybe the '07-08 trans is different? I just put 6 quarts of fluid in, the dipstick read about 1-2 over the top hole of the the dipstick(cold). I let the fan turned on(idling) and it still read the same. Did I overfill it? Is overfilling it going too cause problems? Should I let it sit over night and check the dipstick and drain and refill it again? Thanks, sam

YeuEmMaiMai

When you run the trans dry, the fluid is no longer there to cool things off and as a result the clutch packs and seals take a beating....

LaCostaRacer

Something similar happened to my Honda Pilot about 20,000 miles ago. My wife caught the issue in our driveway and the Pilot has been running well ever since. I installed the factory tow package that had a cooler but the radiator nipple corroded and we had the similar issue. At the time, our Pilot had about 80k miles so it seems like the Acura radiators might last a little longer possibly. I also thought the TL had a different design too so now I'll need to take a look for signs of a corroded nipple on my car and do a proactive replacement instead.