Hello, I recently purchased a 2002 Sequoia 4 WD 4.7 primarily to tow my 21' boat. The truck has 180k and the frame was replaced under the recall, catalytic converter and drive shaft was replaced. It runs and drives smoothly. I also had the radiator replaced. I recently heard it making a squealing noise from the engine area and investigated to see it was leaking transmission fluid from the left front area of the engine compartment appearing to drip down onto the lower radiator and transmission cooling hoses. Some of the fluid was making its way to the belts. I degreased it and it no longer squeals but I can't find the leak. I looked at Trans fluid and it appears to have too be overfilled on the dip stick.

After driving for a few days without towing there does not seem to be a leak. My question is could the towing be causing the Trans fluid to expand and dump the excess? I only tow my boat 4-5 miles each way maybe twice a week.

 

Towing increase load on the engine, so fluid likely gets hotter and prob expands or thins out, enough to seep through what seems to be a failing pan gasket. Definitely should drain out the excess trans fluid and in the future, consider replacing the gasket. Otherwise with enough leakage, those belts are going to break down faster.

For reference, despite the old thread.

 

Power steering leak???

 

That's another good possibility, as I would think the belts and hoses tend to be above the trans pan. And both systems typically use the red ATF. So I wonder...he'd have to recheck after the degreasing. Or he could use dye that's compatible with atf and shine a UV light after running the engine.

Wish there was an ending to these type of posts...