How Long Does It Take for an Automatic Transmission to Fail After Water Intrusion?
1 Answers
Transmission failure symptoms do not appear immediately after water intrusion but gradually manifest within two weeks. Water entering the transmission can cause internal components to rust and degrade the transmission fluid. If the friction plates absorb water, they cannot be repaired and must be replaced along with other sealing components, increasing repair costs. Symptoms of water in the transmission include: 1. Minor water intrusion: Some screws inside the transmission may rust. It is advisable to replace gaskets, oil seals, and other components to extend service life, along with replacing the transmission fluid and differential oil. 2. Moderate water intrusion: White deposits appear in the oil pan. When oil mixes with water, it forms a white emulsion that adheres to the oil pan. The presence of such deposits indicates moderate water intrusion. Gaskets, oil seals, transmission fluid, and differential oil must be completely replaced. 3. Severe water intrusion: The color and viscosity of the transmission fluid can indicate severe water damage. Water in an automatic transmission can corrode steel screws inside the transmission, necessitating prompt inspection and repair. Similar to moderate intrusion, severe cases may also require replacing the sprocket.