ATF Leak

[coolman]

I have a '94 Q45 with 208K miles. About 1-1/2 months ago, I exchanged the radiator for an OEM one due to coolant leak (hired a auto repair shop do it for me). The coolant leak is solved, but now I see redish ATF liquid leaking and I had to add 6 additional quarts of ATF Full Synthetic (expensive) fluids because of the leak. I plan to take it to the auto shop since it has a 90 day warranty on the radiator replacement service. But, if they cannot fix things, what could be the problem and what should I look for? Should I take it to an Infiniti dealer? I recall adding the "transmission fix" ATF additive too which fixed gear shifting problems.

Can it be the plenum hoses?

Thanks,

[Haitian_King]

I have a '94 Q45 with 208K miles. About 1-1/2 months ago, I exchanged the radiator for an OEM one due to coolant leak (hired a auto repair shop do it for me). The coolant leak is solved, but now I see redish ATF liquid leaking and I had to add 6 additional quarts of ATF Full Synthetic (expensive) fluids because of the leak. I plan to take it to the auto shop since it has a 90 day warranty on the radiator replacement service. But, if they cannot fix things, what could be the problem and what should I look for? Should I take it to an Infiniti dealer? I recall adding the "transmission fix" ATF additive too which fixed gear shifting problems.

Can it be the plenum hoses?

Thanks,

Where exactly is it leaking from?

I'm having a similar issue, but not really seeing a serious decrease in ATF level. Just fresh spotting when I move the Q after being in a parking space for long. I'm thinking it occurs during the cool down period from operating temp. It might be my turbine revolution sensor which I've read was something that could cause leaks.

[DrewQ45]

I have a '94 Q45 with 208K miles. About 1-1/2 months ago, I exchanged the radiator for an OEM one due to coolant leak (hired a auto repair shop do it for me). The coolant leak is solved, but now I see redish ATF liquid leaking and I had to add 6 additional quarts of ATF Full Synthetic (expensive) fluids because of the leak. I plan to take it to the auto shop since it has a 90 day warranty on the radiator replacement service. But, if they cannot fix things, what could be the problem and what should I look for? Should I take it to an Infiniti dealer? I recall adding the "transmission fix" ATF additive too which fixed gear shifting problems.

Can it be the plenum hoses?

Thanks,

There are many locations where it could leak from so you'll just need to spend some time finding it. When parked, where exactly is it puddling under the car? Unless you have an external cooler, the ATF does pass through the radiator inside a separate line for cooling and there are supply and return hoses running from transmission to radiator for that.

Not sure why you're adding synthetic fluid if it leaks out. Just add the cheapest stuff you can find till fixed.

[bullittandy]

Sounds like a loose transmission cooler line to the radiator.

[qship96]

6 QUARTS? Thats quite a leak to say the least!! Take it back to the guy that did the radiator leak TODAY. Could be just a loose cooler line, or maybe a split hose-either way it is a serious leak that demands immediate attention

[NightRiderQ45]

Sounds like a loose transmission cooler line to the radiator.

Bingo!! Exactly what I suspected. Andy, how is that HID kit holding up? Oh, and what k temp do you have again?

[coolman]

I will take it back tomorrow and have the mechanic look at it. In my opinion, it has to be a loose hose since it was not doing that before the radiator was replaced. What is the remedy for a loose hose? I will ask the mechanic to look at it and re-tighten the clamps to the hose.

I was using expensive synthetic ATF fluids, $7/qt, since I did not know I had a leak problem. I thought the leak was due to the fluids spilling while the mechanic was removing the old radiator.

Looking under the hood from above, I can see reddish fluid dripping from a hose. However, the source of the leak is unknown since liquid will travel along the length of the hose.

Thanks,

[qship96]

I guess the upside to it all is you have just replaced slightly over 50% of your ATF with new....sort of a forced transmission fluid renewal!

[maxnix]

Wonder if any the ATF heat exchangers is leaking?

In SJ, you should be running an auxiliary ATF cooler anyway.

[Haitian_King]

Wonder if any the ATF heat exchangers is leaking?

In SJ, you should be running an auxiliary ATF cooler anyway.

Shoot. With the temps going up in NJ, I'm quite pressed to get the B&M cooler as well.

Should be coming up this month or right after the semester ends in May. Got my tax return and some of my $3k maintenance budget left. I want to get the AT bulletproof, double check all injectors, and check my radiator/cooling system.

[coolman]

I brought the Q45 back to the same mechanic who replaced the radiator and he says one of the trans hoses has a 1/4" long slit near where it is clamp to the radiator. He also says although the slit does not go through the rubber hose, when the car is running the pressure will caus it to leak. I am not sure if that is true or not. Since the trans hoses all all old, the work is not under the 90 day warranty. He tried to cut the hose 1 inch short to remove the slit, but now the hose is not long enough and now I have to leave the car at his shop. He gave me a $140 parts/labor quote to replace all 4 transmission hoses. These hoses costs about $55 each so $220 in parts at infinitipartsusa.com. These are just rubber hoses and not sure why they would cost $55/ea. So, I had the mechanic do the job and he drove me back to work and will also pick me up too. I just hope this will finally solve the ATF leak issue.

Also, he tried to charge me $140 to replace the hood cylinders and said this is for parts and labor is free. Infinitipartsusa.com charges $233 ea for these (need 2), but found them for $33/ea OEM drop in fit at another site. I refused the hood work since I plan to buy the parts myself and just charge a mechanic 30 minutes of work to install them. Or, I can install them myself. Is there a guide on how to install these hood cylinders?

Thanks,

[maxnix]

Just secure the hood up. Did you get Stabilius?

Haven't done G50, just FGY33. On that car, top bracket had to be removed. No big deal.

Generic hoses should be fine if they are of the correct (very near) diameter.