LR3 V8 4.4L ZF auto transmission. Noticed a big puddle of transmission fluid under it yesterday. Started it up and more started dripping so I shut it off. Just removed the skid plates to find this, which seems to be the source the the issue. Anybody want to break the bad news to me as to what it likely is?

 

Is it coming from that join or somewhere else ? I'd give it a degrease then trace where its coming from.

 

I just ran it for a while. No leak. Drove it around till the AT fluid got around 45 deg C. No leak. Put it into low range (didn’t drive) and no leak. Now I’m baffled. I’ll attach a photo of the stain on my driveway. Not sure how this happens and now I can’t replicate it.

 

I'd check your level (basically start the fill procedure and see if it needs any) to rule out you losing enough fluid that there isn't enough fluid or pressure to keep forcing the leak

 

Alright it’s been a while with zero drops of anything coming from anywhere. I knew it was too good to be true that it just fixed itself. Big leak is back.

Last time I didn’t drive it for a few days and it had lowered due to a slow leak in the suspension. After sitting a few days and lowering, I went out to drive it and noticed the puddle.

I just returned from a week in Mexico. Opened the garage and of course the vehicle had lowered quite a bit and there was a huge puddle under.

I’m trying to see where the leak is coming from but it’s really low and I don’t want to start it. Luckily I left the skid plate off from last time. It looks like it’s coming from just in front of the transmission, based entirely on the location of the start of the puddle.

Any ideas why it would leak so badly once it’s lowered?!

 

The lowering is only coincidental , is it coming out between the pan and the trans body ? You could try nipping up the pan bolts to see if they are just loose.

 

Pan looks super clean… I’ll try and get a better look

 

My plastic pan had a leak at the corner - It was largely undetectable
That is, until the LR3 was angled - as in when I entered, or left, my driveway and a stream was deposited on the ground

Apparently, the heat shield collected a nice puddle and held it, until tipped enough to pour it out
Made the leak look worse because it built up before spilling

I took the opportunity to switch to a metal pan, as I was due to change the fluid and filter anyway
I guess this is my long way of saying - maybe when your suspension lowers unevenly (tips), it helps the leak present itself?

Regardless - check your level, zip up your pan bolts (as mentioned above), and check the electrical connector sleeve while you're in there

 

Alright I’m pretty sure this is the location on the leak. Just in front of the transmission pan. I’m attaching a photo of the leak drip point and one of the size of the puddle it’s created.

I’m not sure it’s related but the reason I didn’t drive it for a few days the first time this showed up was because my top coolant hose popped off and I lost a lot of coolant on my way home. I didn’t want to drive it without enough coolant. The couple days after that is when the puddle of transmission fluid first showed up.

 

I would have to guess the trans pump seal. The fluid looks pink/red. What fluid was used on the transmission?