Shawn855 Posted May 19, 2020 Report Share Posted May 19, 2020 I was cleaning the 2016 dodge journey sxt, 70k kms, and noticed what looks like wet areas where the pans are. I don't know if these are oil pans or transmission ? Can someone help me identify what these two items are? The first three pictures are on the drivers side and it looks like a rubber gasket is broken and hanging from it?? The last two pictures are on the passenger side. I'm asking because last summer I had the dealer replace the transmission pump so if this is related to the work they did, then I'd like to know. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn855 Posted May 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2020 (edited) After quickly researching it, it appears under the passenger side is the oil pan, and the driver side is the transmission pan? Is this right? Would they have had to access the transmission pan when changing the transmission pump? Also what is this in this picture? It looks like maybe a screw should have been here but is missing? Am i seeing this right? Edited May 19, 2020 by Shawn855 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn855 Posted May 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2020 So i checked the transmission fluid and it doesn't appear to be leaking so I'm guessing the gasket we see hanging is actually residual RTV gasket maker. If anything, i have too much transmission fluid. Transmission temp 43 celcius, with 39mm of fluid (engine running, cycled through gears). At 43 celcius, the mm should be between 11 and 29mm. Should i get this adjusted or just leave it as it is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkeaton Posted May 19, 2020 Report Share Posted May 19, 2020 I would say it you are not having any issues, leave it alone. John/Horace, larryl and OhareFred 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn855 Posted May 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2020 Will do. There's another topic I saw where the person noticed the same - too much tranny fluid from factory. This confirms it I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John/Horace Posted May 19, 2020 Report Share Posted May 19, 2020 (edited) Transmissions have a hydraulic pump and they are very sensitive to low levels of fluid, cavitation from small amounts of air can actually damage the pump. That’s possibly why the over fill after pump change, yes the pan was removed during the work. Slightly high is fine, even a little variance in level of vehicle can impact fluid level measurement. The possible missing screw also not important, There are often extra bolt holes in engine block and other parts of subframe for different options and sometimes for factory uses, like shipping hold down brackets. Parts often come in from all over in special reusable racking, and parts need restraining. Edited May 19, 2020 by John/Horace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn855 Posted May 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2020 5 minutes ago, John/Horace said: Transmissions have a hydraulic pump and they are very sensitive to low levels of fluid, cavitation from small amounts of air can actually damage the pump. That’s possibly why the over fill after pump change, yes the pan was removed during the work. Slightly high is fine, even a little variance in level of vehicle can impact fluid level measurement. Ahhh so the pan was removed during the pump recall. Good to know. And the variance here is a 10mm difference at 43 celcius. The transmission shifts fine while driving so I'm not too worried about it but its at the dealer now for an oil change and i mentioned for them to check it to make sure it's not leaking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn855 Posted May 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2020 46 minutes ago, John/Horace said: Transmissions have a hydraulic pump and they are very sensitive to low levels of fluid, cavitation from small amounts of air can actually damage the pump. That’s possibly why the over fill after pump change, yes the pan was removed during the work. Slightly high is fine, even a little variance in level of vehicle can impact fluid level measurement. The possible missing screw also not important, There are often extra bolt holes in engine block and other parts of subframe for different options and sometimes for factory uses, like shipping hold down brackets. Parts often come in from all over in special reusable racking, and parts need restraining. Btw,, are you sure that they would have had to remove the pan? I'm looking in the recall repair document and there's no mention of removing the transmission oil pan anywhere. Here's the recall repair document: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2016/RCRIT-16V461-1293.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John/Horace Posted May 19, 2020 Report Share Posted May 19, 2020 Transmission shops have a special sealer that cures in 15 mins and is not rtv, but is very expensive. I think factory assembly uses same stuff, stiffer and harder to remove that silicone rtv. RTV is still often used because it’s cheaper and more readily available. Sometimes you can get a little seepage from old rtv, only a few drops will attract dirt and look bad. Physical drips forming on pan is when you have to react. It’s good to pay attention and catch things early before damage occurs. A car on a hoist exposes things not normally seen, useful. I just replaced rear diff lip seal that was causing actual drips, level was 650 ml ...down from 800 rated capacity. Not low enough to cause damage in minimal driving lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John/Horace Posted May 19, 2020 Report Share Posted May 19, 2020 All trannys not the same, looks like pan could have stayed in place on this unit, skimming through the procedure. I would have paid them to drop pan and replace filter during a major repair like this; but it would have been extra. Wrestling entire transmission in and out with jacks, supporting unit etc disturbed the pan seal it seems. I’m sure you have new fluid from pump change, although didn’t actually read it. When I changed my oil and filter at 125kms my pan was starting to seep at one corner. My 2014 wouldn’t have had the pump change recall. Pretty sure pan was never off by previous owner having work done, he supplied all service records. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn855 Posted May 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2020 I went ahead and cleaned the motor oil pan and transmission oil pan and will monitor to see if it leaks at all. If it does, I'll go ahead replace the seal myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John/Horace Posted May 19, 2020 Report Share Posted May 19, 2020 I would swap tranny filter if you have pan off, it’s only around $35 oem, you are close to change interval. It’s always best to use new silicone from a fresh tube and let it set overnight before refilling with oil if possible. Oil rated rtv usually bracket or grey in color. Did your transmission actually stop working so torque converter was replaced along with transaxle oil pump in recall ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn855 Posted May 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2020 No I brought it in for the recall before letting it get to that point lol. Felt like a ticking time bomb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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