Leaking Transmission Pump Seal = Replace Transmission??

Took my Taco to the mechanic for an ATF leak that only seems to appear when I push the truck up and down steep mountain roads. Their conclusion is:

>The fluid is accumulating around the bell housing. The amount of fluid has washed the lower portion of the bell housing. This indicates that the transmission pump seal is leaking. Due to the age and mileage of the vehicle, the seal has failed due to worn pump components and a worn torque converter bushing. At this time, we will need to replace the transmission.​

They are quoting me at $7,500. $5600 for the trans and $1400 for labor (I guess $500 is taxes). They say it could be just the seal but they doubt it, and say that if I don't want to replace the trans then they don't think I should pay the $1400 in labor to find out that just changing the seal is not enough.

They say the trans slipped when they tested but it has never slipped on me... no codes, no whinning sounds, no shuddering, no overheating, seems to shift just fine like it always has even with the ATF a little low.

As much as I love the truck, paying $7500 to fix a truck that is probably worth that much (or less) on the market seems questionable...

Are there some options my mechanic has neglected to mention?

A little back story on my Taco. It has 225,000 miles. I bought the truck with 120,000 miles. I replaced all the ATF with full synthetic using the method recommended on this forum at 150,000 miles more or less. Fluid is still pink. It sat in storage for 1 - 2 years in a location with very cold winters (Easily -20 on nights). It was then lightly used by a family member before I drove it across country. When I arrived, I noticed ATF on the ground and it was low. I took it to two shops but neither could find the leek and said it was because of excessive oil due to valve cover leak. The truck was cleaned and the valve cover leak fixed (a long with new timing belt and water pump ). I drove the truck a little bit and didn't see any ATF. Honestly I was stumped and kinda thought it had just magically gone away or maybe it was just leaking at the o-ring where the 2 peice dip stick splits, until I took the truck into the mountains and saw ATF once again last week.

Could it be the seal just got dry in storage?

 

I don't know. But @gearcruncher will know.

 

Shouldn't hurt to try a stop leak product like ATP

$21 AT-205 Re-Seal Stops Leaks, 8 Ounce Bottle

AT-205.

 

Check the transmission vent, could be as simple as a plugged up vent.

 

Do you think that's better than Lucas? I watched this today and was concerned that the wear mark was larger than the control sample. This was 50/50 with motor oil though....
https://youtu.be/fqD4Ha766w8?si=exbq7SKcYU0mOGkz

The same YT channel did a video on just Lucas Transmission Fix that was positive.

 

Get a trans temp

 

I have not tried any of the others, so, can’t say which is better or worse. The ATP helped out on a PS fluid leak in an 07 Corolla.

 

I would hold off on pouring magic elixirs into the trans until i heard from someone like gearcruncher . You didn’t mention how many miles on trans or if you did regular fluid drops per maintenance schedule. The A340E and F are very reliable and stout transmissions used in many vehicles including Lexus and jeep, 250,000 trouble free miles is common. There are two rubber seals you can change in the front or the trans but it has to be removed to do it, there is a lip type seal in pump the seals around the torque converter drive neck, this is where it will leak if the pump bushing is worn (like trans shop said) so replacing this seal may or may not work. There is a large O-ring seal that goes around the pump assy that seals it to the housing i haven’t replaced that one yet but thats my next move. Mine will leave two or three spots of trans fluid on floor about the size of a dime after a couple of trips to store….im a little picky, pulling trans to fix minor leaks is a pain but id rather work on my truck than go bowling.

 

I don’t know if it’s more expensive in a 4WD truck, but I have a 2010 RC 5-lug automatic with almost 204K miles. The transmission oil pump decided to shit the bed, and after doing research, I deemed it more cost effective to replace the whole transmission and not just that part. My mechanic got a tranny out of a totaled 2010 Taco with only 22K miles, I much came with a 3-year/50K-mile warranty and coverage 50% of the labor if it fails in that timeframe. I paid just over $2,400 for all parts and labor, including the used transmission and a new rear main seal.

 

225,000 miles. I bought the truck with 120,000 miles. I replaced all the ATF with full synthetic using the method recommended on this forum at 150,000 miles more or less. Fluid is still pink.

 

Have you checked the transmission vent? I've seen several times plugged transmission vents cause the front seal to leak, cleaned the vent and no more leaks.

 

Good to know, I will ask them to check that tomorrow!

 

If it still shifts fine there is no reason they can't repair the leak. The most common leak is the pump bolts which have 0-rings that split and can cause leaks. The torque converter seal is also possible. I would find a shop willing to repair what you have. No reason to throw away a perfectly fine transmission over a repairable leak. Worst case you put a pump with seals and a torque converter in it. It can't be more than $600 in parts.

 

Hey @gearcruncher I know you're probably super busy (I think you helped me 10+ years ago too!). I'm reading through your post history and see you recommend Lubegard black. Wondering you could also weigh in on that vs. ATP

$21 AT-205 Re-Seal Stops Leaks, 8 Ounce Bottle

AT-205 vs Lucas Transmission Fix for my particular situation. Thanks in advance!

 

I was hoping he'd weigh in but, no luck I guess.