Q: Leaking transmission fluid from bell housing

asked by on October 10, 2016

Why is my transmission fluid leaking from the bell housing?

My car has 200000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Oil/Fluid Leak Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi, thanks for writing in. Your transmission is leaking from the bell housing most likely because the torque converter seal has failed. If the torque converter seal fails it will leak fluid from where the engine and transmission meet up. Almost every time the transmission or engine will require removal from the vehicle in order to replace the seal and resolve the fluid leak. I would strongly recommend having this repair performed professionally in order to ensure that no additional problems come up down the road. Here at YourMechanic, we can have a technician come to your home or office to inspect this leak for you, and make or suggest the necessary repairs.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Engine smoking from underneath.
Well the first thing I would suspect is the engine overheated. I would check the engine oil and coolant to make sure there is sufficient amount of each. I would then check the engine codes for a fault that can...
How often should my tires be rotated?
Tire rotation is an important part of keeping your vehicle running well. Rotating the tires prolongs the lifespan of the tires, and also gives your vehicle a smoother, more consistent ride. The tires should be rotated by a professional roughly...
Temperature goes into the red zone during slow driving or idling
Hi there. If this occurred right after the work was performed then it is possible that there is air still stuck in the cooling system, but from what you are explaining with the AC, it sounds more like a cooling...
Meter fuse keeps blowing out
Hello there, a few different things can cause the fuse to blow like this. It is good that you have identified the fuse that is blown, as this will makes it easier to diagnose. Fuses do not blow for no...
Car is misfiring, oil in ignition coil & spark plug
Soak up the oil in the hole and clean it out with brake cleaner. Then dry it before replacing the spark plugs (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/spark-plugs-replacement) and ignition coils (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ignition-coil-replacement). You should replace all 4 coils as a set with new plug wire...
One of my transmission sensors are out I'm not for sure which one
Hello. This may be a sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-speed-sensor-replacement) issue but it is possible that some mechanical damage may have occurred to the transmission. I would recommend having your shift linkage and the transmission itself inspected by a qualified professional to make...
My truck bogs down when I accelerate going down the road
This may be a sign of a dirty or failing mass air flow sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/mass-airflow-sensor-replacement). The mass air flow sensor is a unit in the intake system that monitors air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being...
My car drives in 1 and 2 but does not drive in d.. it does go into reverse Chevy Tahoe
Hello - most likely problem for this "no go (https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/when-it-turns-on-it-does-not-move-forward-but-does-move-in-reverse-easily-by-joseph)" condition is a failure of the forward sprag (a one-way clutch) in the transmission. I would recommend a transmission inspection (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/gears-slipping-when-accelerating-inspection) by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from...
3 day old car engine smoking & smell of burnt rubber. Is it burntout clutch?
If it's a new car, and you were using the clutch properly and yet it "failed", that might be a warranty issue. Of course, there are rubber belts and other parts that can fail and smoke. The diagnosis would be...

Related articles

How Serious Is It When a Hose Is Leaking?
A leaking hose in your car could indicate different problems. Some leaking hoses are more serious than others, but all should be checked and repaired.
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Teacher
If If you are a teacher, probably foremost on your mind is getting to school on time. You would also probably like a used car that is easy on gas and not terribly expensive, and will hold your gym gear...
The Best Tool to Eliminate Air Bubbles
Air bubbles can form while mechanics perform service on coolant systems. A vacuum coolant filler helps eliminate this problem to avoid serious damage.