Will the transmission show immediate symptoms after water ingress?

[Griffin]

After water enters the transmission, fault symptoms will not appear immediately but will gradually manifest within two weeks. The following are symptoms that occur with different levels of water ingress: Mild water ingress: Some screws in the transmission may rust. It is advisable to replace components such as gaskets and oil seals to extend the service life, and it is recommended to change the transmission oil and differential oil. Moderate water ingress: White deposits appear in the oil pan. When oil and water mix, they form a white emulsion that adheres to the oil pan. If such deposits are present in the oil pan, it indicates moderate water ingress in the transmission. Components like gaskets and oil seals, as well as the transmission oil and differential oil, must be completely replaced. Severe water ingress: The condition can be judged by the color and viscosity of the transmission oil. Water in an automatic transmission can corrode steel screws inside the transmission, necessitating timely inspection and repair. Similar to moderate water ingress, in severe cases, the sprocket may also need to be replaced.

[SanStella]

I've driven quite a few cars, and transmission water ingress doesn't necessarily cause immediate problems. You need to consider the specific circumstances, such as when driving through deep water, the transmission might have taken in water, but symptoms may appear later—like gear shifting issues, strange noises, or warning lights coming on after driving for a while. This happens because water mixes with the oil, reducing lubrication, and the system might still function initially. Just last week, I saw a car that started having major issues about ten minutes after water ingress, with severely jerky gear shifts. The severity depends on the amount of water and how the car is used. Common sources of water ingress are a poorly sealed oil pan or driving through deep floodwater. Check the oil: normally, it should be red or light yellow and transparent; if water has entered, it becomes emulsified, turning white and cloudy. I recommend stopping the car as soon as possible to inspect and change the oil to avoid prolonged corrosion and increased wear on the gears, which could lead to hefty repair costs—starting from several thousand yuan at least.

[VonLeonardo]

Buddy, don't expect immediate symptoms when your transmission gets flooded. Think about it – right after water ingress, you might not feel anything unusual and keep driving normally. But once the water contaminates the transmission fluid, lubrication fails. Soon you'll notice gearshift issues like jerking when shifting to D gear, or strange clunking noises from undercarriage. This is super common – I experienced it last year when changing cars, with problems only appearing the day after wading through water. The tricky part is this delayed reaction fools people. So whenever you drive through flooded areas, immediately stop to check fluid color using the dipstick. If it appears milky white or murky, change the fluid ASAP. Don't hesitate – internal rusting means complete transmission disassembly for overhaul, costing nearly 10k. Pro tip: humid weather accelerates corrosion, so pay extra attention to maintenance after rainy days.

[SophiaLee]

Transmission water ingress often doesn't show immediate problems. I've helped repair many cases where driving seemed normal initially after water entry, but as water mixes with oil causing emulsification and lubrication failure, gears gradually wear. Soon you may experience rough shifting, increased noise, or warning lights. Severity depends on water quantity: small amounts may take hours to cause issues, while large quantities accelerate damage. Diagnosis is simple - check the dipstick when parked; cloudy or milky oil indicates water contamination. Immediate action required: tow to shop for oil change and professional internal cleaning. Neglect leads to rusted/corroded components requiring full transmission replacement - time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly. For maintenance: regularly inspect seals to prevent water ingress, avoid deep water crossings during rainy seasons. Small issues can escalate into major disasters.