Thursday, November 21, 2013
Causes of Blown Transmission Seals
Vehicle transmissions allow a car to move through gears, resulting in a progression of speed. The complexity of the transmission unit makes it an expensive repair if any mechanical issues, such as bad seals, occur.
Function
Transmission seals are the gaskets that seal the transmission pan with the rest of the transmission body. If the gasket fails, transmission fluid can be released, causing the fluid level within the transmission to fall, possibly causing costly damage.
Causes
Transmission seals can blow, or fail, for a variety of reasons. If a gasket has aged, and has not been serviced consistently, it can crack or break completely in certain areas, allowing fluid to escape. To worsen the situation of a worn gasket, the torque converters pressure on the transmission fluid can blow out the seals as well, especially if the torque converter is malfunctioning.
Prevention/Solution
The best way to keep the transmission, and its seals, in good working order is to have consistent transmission flushes, based on the manufacturers recommendations. In addition, the seals should be inspected periodically to catch any deformities in the seal body.
