I have a 1999 TL with 170K miles. A few months ago I started to see oil stains on my driveway and thought they came from either the engine or power steering. Over the weekend while changing the motor oil, I checked the tranny fluid level. Guess what, there was barely any fluid on the dipstick! Had to add a quart of ATF-Z1 to bring it to the full mark. The fluid is leaking from the left axle. After wiping off the fluid underneath the car and park it overnight, there is no fluid on the driveway. But if it has been driven, stains appear again. So I assume the oil seal in the tranny has gone bad on the left side. The question is given the age/mileage, is it even worth it to have it fixed? How much damage to the tranny when the fluid was a quart low? By the way, this is still the original tranny. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

That seems to be the axle seal. Replace the axle seal.

 

you were probably not a qt low,,its not a qt between dots like engine oil

cold reading will totally trick you
only way to get accurate level is 15 minute freeway drive- from cold
then engine off trans in park
BETWEEN the dots is correct at that fluid temp
not at either,,between

indicated level varies with fluid temp

an axle seal is no big deal,,may as well replace the axle once its out with your miles the cv bearings are near death--
100 bucks for brand new at NAPA

 

Didn't see axle seals in the FSM. Is this the right part?

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1116981

 

Yes, and Autozone carrys them also:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...mString=search